Sheffield Still Trying to Plead His Case Long After Verdict Has Been Delivered

Dodger outfielder Gary Sheffield was convinced that if he could simply tell his side of the story of the brawl between the Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, he could get a reduction in the three-game suspension he was handed for his involvement. Now he feels as if his hearing earlier this week in front of National League President Leonard Coleman was a charade.

After meeting with Coleman, Sheffield was forced to sit out the full three games, missing the entire Montreal Expo series.

“They took my time,” Sheffield said of the New York hearing. “I got up early in the morning to plead my case. Why plead if their minds are already made up?”

Sheffield felt that because he didn’t throw the first punch in his confrontation with Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall, which triggered the brawl, his punishment should have been lessened.

“I didn’t start it,” Sheffield said. “I didn’t throw the first punch. I thought that if you see another man swing at you, you’ve got to defend yourself. Apparently they didn’t see it the same way.”

Sheffield said he was told that baseball officials are determined to cut out violence on the field.

“I know what they are trying to do for baseball,” he said. “I’m trying to work with them. I do not condone what I did. But where is the justice? I got the same amount of punishment and I didn’t start it.”

He also said he should get the same consideration he feels other veterans get.

“I’ve been playing for 10 years,” Sheffield said. “I ought to get something. I play not to hurt anybody, but there are guys who act like tough guys, and when they do, things happen.”

*

Dodger center fielder Raul Mondesi, who has been sidelined the last two games and part of the previous two because of stiffness in the lower back, had an MRI and bone scan Friday.

Results are expected today.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Manager Glenn Hoffman said.

*

Add injuries: Right-hander Ismael Valdes is eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday, but the Dodgers aren’t planning on it.

Having been out the entire 10-game trip because of a pulled muscle in his left side, Valdes started throwing three days ago in an easy game of catch. Lengthening the time each day, from five minutes to eight to 10, he reports no ill effects.

But he has yet to try it from a mound.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DAVE MLICKI

(6-5, 5.15 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’

JON LIEBER

(8-12, 3.87 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

TV--Channel 5. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330, Spanish).

* Update--After starting the season 0-3 with a 7.27 earned-run average for the New York Mets, Mlicki has gone 6-2 with a 4.67 ERA over his last 16 starts. Since he was acquired by the Dodgers in a June 4 trade, Mlicki is 5-1 with a 4.68 ERA. The game is starting half an hour later than usual because of the Hollywood Stars game, which begins at 6.