MEASURE OF THE MEN

The Mike Piazza trade still haunts the Dodgers, despite the free spending of Fox and the reinvention of Gary Sheffield.

Now, with the National League most-valuable-player award at stake and baseball watching, Piazza and Sheffield are linked again.

The New York Mets begin a three-game series tonight at Dodger Stadium, reopening Dodger wounds and providing a big stage for an eagerly anticipated show.

“It’s ironic,” Sheffield said. “I’m sure people didn’t think things were going to turn out this way because Piazza is a Hall of Fame player, he’s dominated the catcher position, and I was coming in new.

“People were wondering about me when I got here and they didn’t know what to expect, but I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do. We’re both just trying to help our teams and now there’s all this [MVP] talk. It’s just funny how things work out sometimes.”

Especially after blockbuster trades.

More than two years have passed since Fox executive Chase Carey traded Piazza to the Florida Marlins in May 1998 without consulting Dodger President Bob Graziano or then-general manager Fred Claire.

The Marlins sent Piazza to the Mets shortly after he arrived in South Florida, and Sheffield is the only player the Dodgers retained from the five they acquired for Piazza and infielder Todd Zeile, who played with Texas before joining the Mets this past off-season.

Several National League general managers said Piazza and Sheffield are on the MVP short list with Jim Edmonds of the St. Louis Cardinals and Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent of the San Francisco Giants.

Some believe the award is Piazza’s to lose because of his typically strong performance offensively, dramatic improvement behind the plate and the Mets’ second-half surge.

Piazza is batting .346--and .356 when the score is tied or the teams are within a run in the seventh inning or later--with 31 home runs and 97 runs batted in.

The Mets (72-49) have the most victories since the All-Star break at 24-11, are atop the wild-card standings and trail the Atlanta Braves by 2 1/2 games in the East.

“He’s been as valuable as any player could be to one team,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said of Piazza. “That usually draws attention and votes. Mike’s been most valuable, most spectacular, most dependable. He’s been most a-lot-of-things this year.”

The Big Apple’s demanding fans have noticed, chanting “MVP” at Shea Stadium during Piazza’s at-bats the last homestand.

“You don’t play to win that award,” said Piazza, MVP runner-up in 1996-97 with the Dodgers. “You play to win. If it comes your way, great.”

But Piazza has been the Mets’ guiding force from the outset and should win the award, Met General Manager Steve Phillips said.

“If he’s not the MVP, somebody is going to have to make a strong case to me,” Phillips said. “He’s produced from the first day and led us offensively as well as defensively. He’s throwing much better, he’s blocking balls in the dirt better, he’s running out every ground ball and he’s delivering in the clutch.

“People questioned his defense and he worked hard and rose to the challenge. He’s matured a lot as a player, and no one wants to win more. Like I said, I want to hear the argument [against Piazza].”

Piazza’s teammates are enjoying the ride.

“He’s the guy right now,” second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo said. “I really appreciate watching him every time he comes up.”

Sheffield has been busy too.

The left fielder has helped the struggling Dodgers (61-58) remain in contention in the West despite many poor moves, subpar performances, injuries and infighting.

Sheffield is second in the league with 37 homers and is batting .324 with 92 RBIs.

“To me, Sheff is the MVP,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “You look at everything we’ve been through and we’re still in this, and he’s the guy who always picks up the slack. Not to take anything away from anyone, but we’ve had some guys struggle and Sheff has been there the whole season.

“With the Mets, they’ve had a lot of guys who have helped [Piazza] keep them going. Without Sheff, I don’t know where we would be. I love the guy, what can I say?”

Sheffield has become the Dodger leader.

He counsels young players, mediates clubhouse problems and advises General Manager Kevin Malone and Johnson.

Sheffield was labeled a malcontent because of youthful mistakes he made as a teenager in the major leagues. He has matured and worked hard to change his image.

“To tell you the truth, you hear a lot of things about Sheff,” shortstop Alex Cora said. “When I was growing up, I heard Gary Sheffield is ‘this and that,’ and you have this impression in your mind about him. But then when you get to meet him, he’s not that way at all.

“I’ve been here since ’98 and he’s treated me like I belong. Sheff always talks to me, and I know I can go to him for anything. He tries to help everybody.”

Right fielder Shawn Green has leaned on Sheffield during his difficult transition after five seasons in the American League.

“He’s gotten to the point in his career where he’s become a classic veteran player,” Green said. “He knows how to hit in all different situations, and how to do different things to help us win.

“But at the same time, Sheff knows his role on the team. I don’t know what more anyone could expect.”

Dodger fans apparently aren’t satisfied.

They have not embraced Sheffield as much as expected, despite his efforts.

Sheffield believes it’s because he’s not Piazza.

“To replace a guy like that is very difficult,” Sheffield said. “People don’t just look at Mike Piazza’s numbers . . . they look at Mike Piazza as a person.

“Mike Piazza brought a lot to this community and this organization. He stabilized it as a franchise player.”

Sheffield has done that too, but the trade’s damage still hasn’t been repaired.

Although Dodger officials are pleased with Sheffield, many now privately acknowledge the trade set the organization back immeasurably.

Piazza only views the Dodgers in his rearview mirror.

“To be real honest about it, I don’t think there’s any reason for me to look back,” he said. “I’ve moved on and I’m happy.”

The Dodgers are 202-200 since the trade. Since acquiring Piazza, the Mets are 233-169.

They advanced to the NL championship series last season for the first time since 1988.

In 351 regular-season games with the Mets, Piazza is batting .329 with 94 homers and 297 RBIs.

“Mike Piazza gave everyone in our organization credibility,” Phillips said. “He gave our ‘nice little team’ credibility. The front office showed we were able to acquire a player of Mike’s caliber, and our owners showed they would step up and sign this type of a player.”

Sheffield also has been outstanding since joining the Dodgers, batting .312 with 87 homers and 249 RBIs in 358 games.

But the Mets have made better player-personnel moves and managed their payroll more skillfully.

The Dodgers’ stunning $105-million commitment to pitcher Kevin Brown was, in part, linked to the desire to replace Piazza on the field and in the hearts of fans. That desire also contributed to the signing of Green for $84 million after Chairman Bob Daly took over.

The Mets believe they can win the World Series, the Dodgers are moving toward another dramatic off-season make-over and the Piazza controversy won’t fade.

“The fans haven’t gotten over it because of what Mike Piazza meant to the Dodgers, and I understand that,” Daly said recently. “That thing got messed up and everyone knows about it, that’s just the fact that we’re left with, but it’s in the past and we’ve all got to move on. We have to.”

The Dodgers are trying.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

TALE OF THE TAPE

THIS SEASON

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Piazza Sheffield 102 Games 116 .346 Batting Avg. .324 .414 On-base % .439 .663 Slugging % .656 31 Home runs 37 97 Runs batted in 92 72 Runs 88 41 Walks 85 51 Strikeouts 59

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SINCE THE TRADE

Piazza Sheffield

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Piazza Sheffield 357 Games 358 .328 Batting Avg. .312 .393 On-base % .428 .606 Slugging % .569 94 Home runs 87 302 Runs batted in 250 240 Runs 243 139 Walks 255 174 Strikeouts 153

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Career Years

Seasonal averages before this season compared to this season:

GARY SHEFFIELD

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Category Career 2000 Batting Avg. .290 .324 On Base Pct. .389 .439 Slug Pct. .501 .656 Doubles 35 20 Homers 20 37 RBIs 67 92 Runs 65 88

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MIKE PIAZZA

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Category Career 2000 Batting Avg. .329 .346 On Base Pct. .392 .414 Slug Pct. .571 .656 Doubles 22 22 Home Runs 30 31 RBIs 96 97 Runs 77 72

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