Brown, Sheffield Become Two Star-Crossed Shoppers

Left fielder Gary Sheffield bumped into pitcher Kevin Brown and his family Wednesday afternoon in a San Diego shopping mall.

Brown immediately congratulated his Dodger teammate for being selected a National League reserve for Tuesday’s All-Star game at Turner Field in Atlanta, and Sheffield thanked him.

But Sheffield didn’t realize Brown also had been selected until the right-hander’s oldest son, Ridge, quickly made him aware.

“He asked me, ‘Why didn’t you say congratulations back?’ ” Sheffield said. “I didn’t know.”

The Dodgers weren’t surprised their top two players were chosen for the game by Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox, who will manage the NL squad.

Sheffield was selected for the sixth time in his 12-year career, including the last three seasons with the Dodgers. Brown, a five-time selection in 12 seasons, is representing the Dodgers for the first time after not being chosen last season.

The invitation clearly pleased the Macon, Ga., resident.

“It will be a little different, a little more special this year because my family is in Atlanta,” said Brown, who received a $100,000 all-star bonus. “A lot of my family will be able to come that wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”

Brown and Sheffield have been typically outstanding this season.

Brown has been the Dodgers’ only consistent starter. He has pitched much better than his 7-2 record, as evidenced by his 2.31 earned-run average that is second in the league to Arizona’s Randy Johnson. Brown also is among the league leaders in strikeouts, innings and complete games.

Brown returned in top form after sitting out two weeks after breaking his right little finger in April. He has provided stability in an otherwise shaky rotation, which Manager Davey Johnson appreciates.

“Brownie has been great for me all year,” Johnson said. “He wants it so much and he’s always out there giving you everything he has. I mean, look how he came back after [being on the disabled list].

“And Sheff is the same way. Sheff has been unbelievable. . . . I almost expect him to [hit a home run] every time. He played on that [severely sprained left] ankle and he just kept going. You can’t say enough about him.”

Sheffield is among the league leaders offensively. He tops Dodger regulars with a .338 average, 27 home runs and 71 runs batted in.

Sheffield and Brown are eager to participate in the game, but disappointed by the Dodgers’ performance to this point.

“As a team, we need to go higher,” said Sheffield, who receives a $50,000 all-star bonus. “We can’t just stay in the same place, we can’t just sit here and be comfortable, we’ve got to shoot for the sky.”

Brown and Sheffield were also teammates when they represented the Florida Marlins in the ’96 All-Star game at Philadelphia.

Sheffield wants to travel to the game with Brown because the Dodgers gave Brown use of a jet.

“I told Kevin he has to let me use his private jet,” Sheffield said. “I’m not in the mood to sit in the airport.”

TODAY

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(7-2, 2.31 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

BRIAN MEADOWS

(7-5, 5.01 ERA)

Qualcomm Stadium, 2 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Brown, initially scheduled to start Wednesday, was given an extra day’s rest because of his sore back. The right-hander is 4-4 with a 4.32 ERA against the Padres, one of his former teams. Meadows is 2-3 with a 7.61 ERA against the Dodgers.