Suddenly, Sheffield Wants to Be in Blue

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  The Gary Sheffield situation took an unexpected turn Saturday when the all-star left fielder rescinded his trade request because of “my teammates and all the fans who really love Gary Sheffield.”

Through his agent, Jim Neader, Sheffield informed General Manager Kevin Malone that he wanted to remain with the club despite his contract-extension request having been denied, criticism of Chairman Bob Daly and hints that he might struggle if the club keeps him.

Sheffield said his stance changed because his desire to “be a lifetime Dodger” had become a burden for his teammates, but their support of him remained strong throughout the tumultuous process.

His feelings for his teammates outweighed the business of baseball, Sheffield said, so “it’s time to just focus on the game and helping my teammates who depend on me.”

The Dodgers seemingly are not as eager to reunite with the player who has stirred frustration from Dodgertown to Chavez Ravine for three weeks.

Malone and Derrick Hall, senior vice president, tempered their comments, saying the club would still consider its options in the wake of Sheffield’s surprising decision.

And Malone blasted Neader for his handling of the matter, questioning his judgment in advising Sheffield to push for an extension when he had three years plus an option and $30 million guaranteed remaining on his contract.

Sheffield’s change in course and Malone’s strong comments about Neader punctuated another dizzying day at Dodgertown, where baseball has not been the focus.

“Basically, I’m doing this for the players, my coaches and for all those fans who have always believed in what Gary Sheffield stands for,” said Sheffield, contacted on his cell phone. “I still stand behind everything I said in the past about wanting to be a lifetime Dodger, but I never thought wanting to be a lifetime Dodger would come to this.

“I didn’t want this to have anything to do with my teammates because I’m the type of player who does everything for his teammates. Those guys are the reason I play as hard as I do to help us win. I just wanted this to be between me and management, that’s why I have to put this in the past and move on. I don’t even know how it got to this point because I just wanted to be a Dodger for the rest of my career, and that’s still what I want.”

Whether the Dodgers want that remains to be determined.

Team officials did not express relief after reporters informed them of Sheffield’s desire to stay, indicating they might not have turned the page yet.

Daly is scheduled to return to Dodgertown on Monday, and Sheffield has some explaining to do.

“We hear what Gary is saying, and we understand what he is saying, and we will factor that in,” Hall said in a conference call. “However, we need to make the decision that is best for the Dodger organization and for the fans.

“We will take it one day at a time and one step at a time. There is no need to rush into a decision, and we will continue to explore all of our options. . . . There will need to be meetings [with Sheffield and Neader] so that we can fully understand their position.”

The Dodger in the spotlight said his position is simple.

“Those guys understand where I’m coming from, that’s why I have to do this for them,” said Sheffield of his teammates. “I’ve built some strong relationships in three years here, and I don’t know if I’ll find that again someplace else.”

But what about his unresolved contract situation?

“I don’t have any comment on [Daly’s] behalf, I’m not even addressing that,” he said. “Like I said, I’m doing this for my teammates and I’m blocking out everything else.”

“If something can be worked out later that’s fine, but I’m not thinking about that. I’m going to do my best the next three years, I’m going to have my best season ever, and then I’ll be a free agent.”

Word spread quickly through the clubhouse that Sheffield still likes Dodger Blue.

“Beautiful,” reliever Mike Fetters said. “Gary Sheffield is my teammate and I’m going to support him. He’s a professional, and I never doubted he would give everything he has when he steps between those lines.”

Likewise, outfielder Marquis Grissom is pleased his friend found the light.

“My main thing was making him aware of the contract that he did sign, and he has to honor it,” said Grissom, who acted as a buffer between Sheffield and management. “The thing fans need to know is he wants to be in blue. He wants to be in this uniform.”

The Dodgers’ best lineup still includes Sheffield, Malone said, but many bridges must be rebuilt.

“I always believe that things can be forgiven and forgotten and move forward . . . but I don’t know what damage has been done,” he said. “I can’t speak for the fans, I would hope so, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Malone did not wait to reserve judgment on Neader, who he said bungled Sheffield’s request for what is believed to be a four-year, $80-million extension.

“Mr. Neader needs to be professional,” Malone said. “If he is the advisor and the consultant and agent for Gary Sheffield, he needs to call me and tell me what’s going on. It is very unprofessional for me to hear about this through the media. I’m just disappointed with the way he’s handled the situation.

“He calls [President] Bob Graziano, he always goes over my head. I run baseball operations. That’s why I don’t hold Gary totally accountable in what’s going on here because Gary has gotten some bad advice, and I’ll just leave it at that.”

Neader said he was at his daughter’s gymnastics meet Saturday when Sheffield informed him of his decision, and he then immediately contacted Malone.

As for Malone’s other comments, Neader took the high road, focusing on his client’s change of heart.

Sheffield said he would not be deterred if Dodger fans boo him.

“The fans who are the true Gary Sheffield fans, the ones who love me for me, I apologize to them,” he said. “But half the people are always going to like you and half don’t, no matter what.”

Notes

First baseman Eric Karros, who had been sidelined because of a sprained back, had a run-scoring single in a 5-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Dodgertown.

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* NEWHAN: Dodgers can’t afford to forgive Sheffield. D4

* SUNDAY MAGAZINE: Dodger snapshots through the years.