Sheffield Is Battling the Blues

Dodger outfielder Gary Sheffield, frustrated because of chronic pain in his throwing shoulder and scrutiny accompanying his standing in the organization, said Saturday he has strongly considered retiring.

Sheffield, in the second year of a six-year, $61-million contract, has consulted with family members and friends about the troubling situations, saying he is discouraged by his ongoing shoulder problems, and displeased about his perception that he was the focus of key decisions made by team officials during the off-season.

“To be honest with you, if I still didn’t have five years left [on his contract], and if not for the trade, I would retire right now,” said Sheffield, alluding to the blockbuster seven-player deal in which the Dodgers acquired him and sent Mike Piazza to the Florida Marlins last season. “I would just call a press conference and get it over with today.

“Just the grind of everything, every day, has been [wearing] on me, and you can only take but so much. But you’re supposed to honor things that you agree to, and that’s what I’m trying to do, but it’s hard. If it weren’t for that, I would give up the game right now.”

Sheffield, 30, underwent surgery on his right shoulder to repair tendon damage in the off-season and received a cortisone shot Saturday to relieve pain in his shoulder. He went hitless in three at-bats Friday in the Dodgers’ 6-4, split-squad victory over the Atlanta Braves, and he said he began experiencing increased pain in his shoulder after the game.

Sheffield said team medical personnel have told him the pain is unrelated to his recent surgery, and he hopes to return to the lineup soon. But Sheffield is concerned because he has suffered setbacks in his rehabilitation, stirring doubt in his mind.

“I was talking to a friend back home the other day, and I told him I’m not sure how much more of this I can take,” said Sheffield, the only player involved in the Piazza trade still with the team. “They [the Dodger medical staff] say it’s not the same [tendon] I had the surgery on, so hopefully this [the cortisone shot] can take care of it.

“But the pain is there, I can’t deny that. Like I said, if it weren’t for the trade, I wouldn’t be playing right now. If I was still in Florida [with the Marlins], I would be retired already.”

When informed of Sheffield’s comments, Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone downplayed the situation.

“It’s spring training, and you have some good days and some bad days,” Malone said. “I think Gary is just going through a frustrating time over his shoulder not being where he wants it to be right now.

“I spent time with Gary [on Friday] and he said his shoulder felt a lot better. We walked together and talked together, and he never brought this up to me or Davey.”

In addition to his shoulder problems, Sheffield said his outlook has also been darkened because of the scrutiny he has received since joining the team.

Sheffield believes team officials had him in mind when they announced they were re-enforcing dress codes and personal-grooming guidelines that were relaxed last season to accommodate him after the trade.

Players received lengthy letters from the club in the off-season that outlined curfews and guidelines on jewelry and facial hair. Players are supposed to sign the letters, along with Manager Davey Johnson, indicating they agree to adhere to the policies.

“I’m tired of every decision always being around me,” Sheffield said. “I just want to wear my facial hair and earrings and just play the game. I don’t want to be the focus of everything all the time, I just want to be one of the guys on the team.”

Malone disagreed with Sheffield’s assessment that he has been singled out by team management.

“Those are Dodger rules that we’re just enforcing, they have nothing to do with any individual in particular,” Malone said. “As for being under pressure, everyone is under pressure. I’m under more pressure than anyone can dream to be.

“There are high expectations for this team, that’s just the way it is. You’re going to be in the spotlight when you’re an all-star caliber player on this team, that also comes with the territory.”

Sheffield is also concerned about the Dodgers’ decision to switch him from right field to left this season.

He moved to accommodate Raul Mondesi, a two-time Gold Glove award winner in right. Mondesi moved to center to accommodate Sheffield after the trade, but was uncomfortable and demanded to return to right.

Sheffield has had a good attitude about the position change, the fourth in his 11-year career, during spring training at Dodgertown. But he is growing increasingly uneasy about the assignment.

“Obviously, I’m not comfortable,” Sheffield said. “I’m fine with whatever makes Mondy happy because we need Mondy to be happy, and I’m a team player. Davey says I’m too hard on myself, that I’m too much of a perfectionist, but I just don’t want to be embarrassed out there. If I’m embarrassed I can’t do it, and I’ll just say I can’t do it.

“There’s just a lot of other stuff in this game that you have to deal with. I’m tired of people saying, ‘He doesn’t play up to his potential.’ I know when I’m healthy I can put up numbers better than most of the players in this game.

“People say I don’t play hard, but I’m in the training room because I’m always out there going after balls. You like to get the respect you deserve for playing 100%.”

Sheffield said he will continue to work on his shoulder and learning to play left field. But he said he’s unsure about everything, including how much longer he will remain in the game.

“I’ve been praying,” Sheffield said. “I guess I’m just going to have to pray a little harder.”