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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Gary Sheffield suspended four games, still vows revenge vs. Indians

And here Cleveland thought the Waterworks Tunnel Vision Explosion days were long gone…

Moments after he learned that he’d been suspended, Sheffield vowed revenge against the Indians whom he believes punched him from behind in the fracas.

“I’ve been in a lot of brawls ... where I have been the peacemaker,” Sheffield said. “When you get into brawls—when somebody’s back is toward you—you pull each other apart. That is what you’re supposed to do. But when guys take cheap shots, I take that personal. “When I find out who they are, they are going to have to deal with me.”

In what form?

“Don’t worry. You’ll see. I’m not one of those guys to sit there and talk about what I’m going to do. I’m just going to do what I’m going to do.”

...“I don’t care (anything) about what the league thinks or what they do,” Sheffield said. “I’ve got enough money to cover any fine they’ve got, trust me.”

He said that if anyone messes with him, “It’s on. It will never end until I get you. I told you from Day One. I don’t mess with (anybody). I don’t bother anybody. But when you bother me, it’s on. Trust me.”

Repoz Posted: September 23, 2008 at 10:25 AM | 40 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: indians, tigers

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1. Dan Contilli Posted: September 23, 2008 at 11:06 AM (#2950970)

God, just retire already.

2. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: September 23, 2008 at 11:32 AM (#2950971)

Well, Sheff was already going to stick around to run out the contract the Tigers gave him, and to hit #500. But now he has even more reasons!

3. Lassus Posted: September 23, 2008 at 12:05 PM (#2950979)

Actually, he sounds more like a character from South Park.

4. fra paolo Posted: September 23, 2008 at 01:32 PM (#2951022)

While everyone here is picking on Sheffield, it's worth noting that Carmona's suspension was longer, and two more Indians got hit with suspensions almost as long.

5. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: September 23, 2008 at 01:37 PM (#2951028)

it's worth noting that Carmona's suspension was longer

Carmona was suspended for six games. Suspending a starting pitcher for fewer than five games is meaningless, as the suspension will be served between starts and no harm done. IOW, Carmona was suspended for one start; whether it was announced as a five or nine game suspension is immaterial.

6. tribefan Posted: September 23, 2008 at 01:48 PM (#2951035)

Suspensions are without pay aren't they? Even though Carmona likely hit Sheff intentionally, there would have been no incident if Sheff didn't charge the mound from first base. I see no reason why Carmona should get a longer suspension. Certainly Carmona was egging him on by throwing to first, but there's no rule against that.

7. Cowboy Popup Posted: September 23, 2008 at 01:49 PM (#2951036)

How will this affect the Tigers chances of scoring 1000 runs?

8. Gamingboy Posted: September 23, 2008 at 01:54 PM (#2951042)

Sheffield is the mad scientist of Baseball.

9. fra paolo Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:00 PM (#2951048)

Certainly Carmona was egging him on by throwing to first, but there's no rule against that.

"Hey, I've just beaned one of the AL's most bad-tempered players. He's glaring at me with the bat in his hand. Why don't I throw over to first, just for fun? Hey Gary, how'd you like this apple?"

Carmona was playing with fire. He shouldn't have responded to Sheffield's anger like that. And MLB has made it plain they agree.

My point is that we've got three Indians hit with suspensions, yet everyone picks on Gary Sheffield, because he's like the kid at school with a reputation.

The Indians' players took a bad situation, and made it worse.

10. OCD SS Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:06 PM (#2951053)

I've always thought Sheff's little mustache gave him a great scheming villain look.

How will this affect the Tigers chances of scoring 1000 runs?

In most people's minds they've now fallen behind the Yankees as the favorites to reach that plateau.

11. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:12 PM (#2951062)

How will this affect the Tigers chances of scoring 1000 runs?
Which came closer to its goal? The 1000 run season or the 1000 year Reich?

fra, there's always a Sheffield pile-on, agreed. But Sheffield is the only one verbalizing drawing up a hit list.

12. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:13 PM (#2951064)

My point is that we've got three Indians hit with suspensions, yet everyone picks on Gary Sheffield, because he's like the kid at school with a reputation.

Now, wait a minute. This thread isn't about picking on Sheff for the incident, it's about how Sheff made some patently stupid comments implying future violence aganist the Indians invovled in the brawl.

Sheff probably takes more crap than he deserves, but any he gets here is absolutely merited.

EDIT: Edmundo, 1 Coke

13. fra paolo Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:19 PM (#2951073)

Sheffield is the only one verbalizing drawing up a hit list.

The only one we know of. Maybe the others have gone all Sammy Sosa on the English front. Carmona's the one who hit Sheff twice this season.

14. Lassus Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:22 PM (#2951080)

Does anyone know what the record is for the batter hit the most by the same pitcher throughout a season, or career?

15. tribefan Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:26 PM (#2951083)

Why don't I throw over to first, just for fun? Hey Gary, how'd you like this apple?.

Yep that's just about right. Carmona was a jerk, no doubt deserves his 6 games. So does Sheff.

But at least Sheff has his priorities straight. Batting .223, team just got swept by the Indians, has lost 9 out of the last 10, and he's more concerned with his revenge next season. He'll certainly get his chance too, the Tigers are stuck with him since no team will touch his contract.

16. Vida Blew Over the Legal Limit Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:41 PM (#2951100)

I find Shef to be thoughtful and reflective. A true gentleman.

17. aleskel

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:56 PM (#2951114)

anyone notice that the Royals are just 1 game behind the Tigers in the standings? The Tigers are 5-14 since Sept. 1. That's ... that's just terrible.

18. Crispix Attacks Posted: September 23, 2008 at 02:58 PM (#2951117)

The Tigers are 5-14 since Sept. 1. That's ... that's just terrible.

Better than the Brewers!

19. Шĥy Posted: September 23, 2008 at 03:03 PM (#2951123)

“Don’t worry. You’ll see. I’m not one of those guys to sit there and talk about what I’m going to do. I’m just going to do what I’m going to do.”

How many times has Sheffield said something like this? I lost count. In the end, he never does anything. As 50 Cent would say, "You say you a gangsta but you never popped none, we say you a wangsta and you need to stop frontin'"

Best Sheffield comment though was when he said that the law should be changed to allow him to drag fans out of the stands and murder them if they interfere with a play.

20. chemdoc Posted: September 23, 2008 at 03:14 PM (#2951138)

How will this affect the Tigers chances of scoring 1000 runs?

It increases them.

21. Gaelan Posted: September 23, 2008 at 03:44 PM (#2951177)

While everyone here is picking on Sheffield, it's worth noting that Carmona's suspension was longer, and two more Indians got hit with suspensions almost as long.

Why was Carmona suspended at all? This was all Sheffield's doing. What kind of jackass charges the mound from firstbase. What needs to happen in these situations is for one guy to get all of the punishment while everyone else gets a token slap.

It's also ridiculous to complain about getting punched in a brawl you started. I wish more guys fought for blood in these brawls. If you're angry enough to fight you should be man enough to take your medicine.

22. flournoy Posted: September 23, 2008 at 03:55 PM (#2951198)

While everyone here is picking on Sheffield, it's worth noting that Carmona's suspension was longer

Not in any practical sense. Suspension lengths are different for starting pitchers. Carmona was suspended for one start.

Does anyone know what the record is for the batter hit the most by the same pitcher throughout a season, or career?

My guess is Jose Mesa / Omar Vizquel.

EDIT: I guess not. Mesa only hit Vizquel twice. In my mind, it was more like ten times.

23. SoSH U at work Posted: September 23, 2008 at 03:57 PM (#2951201)

My guess is Jose Mesa / Omar Vizquel.

Well it's safe to say few guys wanted it more than Mesa.

24. Poochie Mahoney Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:02 PM (#2951211)

I'd like to see a Detroits sports talk show hosted by Sheff and Rasheed Wallace.

25. aleskel

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:09 PM (#2951218)

Pedro has hit Jose Guillen 5 times

Nolan Ryan hit Ron Hunt 5 times as well

26. aleskel

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:12 PM (#2951221)

Ha! Bob Gibson hit Ron Hunt 6 times. Wow, either Hunt really crowded the plate or he was just a huge prick

27. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:14 PM (#2951222)

Ha! Bob Gibson hit Ron Hunt 6 times. Wow, either Hunt really crowded the plate or he was just a huge prick

I think it's both, from what I've read.

28. aleskel

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:17 PM (#2951230)

I think it's both, from what I've read.

and Jim Bunning hit him 5 times!

29. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:18 PM (#2951231)

Ha! Bob Gibson hit Ron Hunt 6 times. Wow, either Hunt really crowded the plate or he was just a huge prick
Hunt was the alltime "Get Hit King" before Don Baylor.

30. aleskel

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:20 PM (#2951233)

Charlie Hough hit Don Baylor 7 times. I think that's the leader going into the clubhouse.

31. Crispix Attacks Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:26 PM (#2951242)

Pitchers who hit Ron Hunt 5 or more times:
Jim Bunning
Ken Forsch
Jim Maloney
Nolan Ryan
Tom Seaver
Chris Short
Bob Gibson (6)

The best is Ron Hunt versus Steve Arlin. No hits in ten at-bats, but 3 walks and 4 HBP. .000/.412/.000

Unsurprisingly, Craig Biggio was also hit 7 times by one pitcher. I wouldn't have guessed that the pitcher was Pedro Astacio, though.

32. Lassus Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:31 PM (#2951249)

I guess not. Mesa only hit Vizquel twice. In my mind, it was more like ten times.

You have something in common with Sheffield, apparently.

33. aleskel

Posted: September 23, 2008 at 04:35 PM (#2951258)

anybody know how far back B-Ref's Play Index goes? I'm asking because it didn't have any pitcher vs. hitter statistics for Walter Johnson

34. The Polish Sausage Racer Posted: September 23, 2008 at 06:26 PM (#2951416)

Carmona just went way up in my estimation. Anyone who puts Sheffield in a headlock is doing something that needed doing years ago.

35. Cris E Posted: September 24, 2008 at 03:27 AM (#2952454)

Pitchers who hit Ron Hunt 5 or more times:

Not just a good example of why I like this site, but another small piece of what makes baseball so great. You think football fans can identify the most times a punter has tackled the same returner? The supple texture of baseball's details is beautiful.

EDIT: Gary should retire soonest. But unlike the poster above, in retirement I think he's going to just disappear except for the odd quote complaining about HoF selections and kids in his yard.

36. flournoy Posted: September 24, 2008 at 03:39 AM (#2952470)

I haven't seen a video or anything, but how was Carmona egging Sheffield on by throwing over to first base? If I see a guy steaming mad about an HBP, my first thought is, "He really wants to steal second base (and probably plant the shortstop in left field on the slide)." I'd throw over to see if I can catch him leaning or going on first movement. And even if I hit him in the knee and doubt he'd be running, I'd throw over to test how fast he can get back.

37. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 24, 2008 at 03:57 AM (#2952489)

Pitchers who hit Ron Hunt 5 or more times:
Jim Bunning
Ken Forsch
Jim Maloney
Nolan Ryan
Tom Seaver
Chris Short
Bob Gibson (6)

Considering how hard Ryan, Maloney, Gibson, and Seaver threw, that must have been fun. And Short's and Bunning's fastball weren't bad, either...

38. tribefan Posted: September 26, 2008 at 11:11 PM (#2957447)

While everyone here is picking on Sheffield, it's worth noting that Carmona's suspension was longer, and two more Indians got hit with suspensions almost as long.

Not that anyone is too concerned anymore, but Carmona's suspension was reduced to 5 games, and Martinez's was reduced to 3. So Carmona has to miss Opening Day next year. I'm guessing he wasn't going to be working that day anyways.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Gary Sheffield suspended four games, still vows revenge vs. Indians

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