Sheffield Still Booed in Florida

Gary Sheffield played for the Florida Marlins for more than five seasons, helped the team win the 1997 World Series and holds several franchise records.

But Sheffield has been booed before every at-bat at Pro Player Stadium since joining the Dodgers in May 1998. And some Marlin officials have been even colder than fans toward the all-star left fielder.

Many in South Florida are still upset about Sheffield’s criticism of management during the Marlins’ fire sale, and that Sheffield delayed the seven-player trade that brought him to the Dodgers while negotiating a $5-million payment from the club.

Then again, Sheffield wasn’t popular when he played for the Marlins.

“Even when I was here, it was a love-hate relationship,” he said. “When I got a hit they would cheer [for] me, when I didn’t they would boo me. It’s a strange feeling, but I guess that’s just the way it is.”

The negativity hasn’t affected Sheffield’s performance. This season, he’s batting .409 with five home runs, 12 runs batted in and seven walks against his former team.

Sheffield said he’s unfazed by chilly receptions.

“You can’t let it bother you,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that you can just block it out, but you can’t let it affect how you do your job.”

Sheffield was eager to play Florida in ‘98, but said the feeling has faded.

“It used to be a lot of fun after I first left,” he said. “It was kind of strange, facing a team I thought, in some ways, I should still have been playing for.

“The curiosity of seeing everybody, that was fun. But that’s over now.”

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Orel Hershiser’s presence has forced Carlos Perez to push himself to remain in the rotation.

Teammates said Perez is finally taking his job seriously. He has exercised and slept more than in past seasons.

“I don’t think he really appreciated [his situation] last season, but he does now,” Sheffield said. “He’s doing a lot of things I didn’t see him do last year--like running. He had a wake-up call.”

Perez has retained a spot in the five-man group with six effective starts. The left-hander has been shaky at times--but much better than expected overall.

He is 4-2 with a 5.74 earned-run average after pitching six strong innings in Saturday’s 12-6 victory. Perez said his best work is still ahead.

“I know I have to do my work to help my team,” he said. “I don’t to have no problems, I just want to do my job.”

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The Dodgers said Alex Cora deserved to remain on the 25-man roster, but they needed a spot to activate Kevin Elster from the disabled list.

Optioning Cora to triple-A Albuquerque after Saturday’s game made sense, though it wasn’t fair, General Manager Kevin Malone said.

“I feel for him, especially because he proved he can help us up here and we had to send him back,” Malone said. “This is a timing situation and a roster issue, it has nothing personally to do with Alex. He’s shown us that he can play at this level, and he’s going to be back.”

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F.P. Santangelo started in center field Sunday and went two for six with a run and RBI. He raised his average to .119. . . . Elster went hitless in four at-bats in his first game since May 4. . . . Center fielder Devon White (torn left rotator cuff) and reliever Mike Fetters (elbow inflammation) are scheduled to be reevaluated by team medical personnel today. They have been on the disabled list since May 4.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Cincinnati Reds, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 every game.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 24-17, Reds 24-19.

* Record vs. Reds--4-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (3-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. REDS’ DENNY NEAGLE (4-0, 3.76 ERA)

* Update--Dreifort jammed his right knee sliding into third base last Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched three scoreless innings but struggled after the play and was chased after 4 1/3 innings in the Dodgers’ 8-6 victory. Dreifort, who gave up seven hits and six runs against the Cubs, is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in eight career appearances against Cincinnati. The Reds have played much better since the Dodgers swept them in a three-game series April 21-23 at Cinergy Field. Ken Griffey Jr. is batting .238, and is among the National League leaders with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Eric Gagne (0-2, 4.30) vs. Osvaldo Fernandez (0-0, 5.68).

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (4-3, 4.89) vs. Steve Parris (2-6, 5.63).

* Tickets--(323) 224-1448.