Green Day

Shawn Green confronted Gary Sheffield in a tension-filled dugout last season demanding an explanation.

Having overheard Sheffield make critical comments about his effort on a play in a game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium, Green was finally at a breaking point.

As the rest of the Dodgers sat transfixed, fearing their top players would fight, Green motioned toward Sheffield and asked, “Do we have a problem?”

But Sheffield backed down, several witnesses said, telling Green that everything was fine and declining to repeat what he had said. The usually reserved Green had drawn a line in the sand and his teammates, fed up with Sheffield’s antics, were impressed.

Details of the incident have come to light recently, now that Sheffield has been traded. Not as a shot against a now-former Dodger who wore out his welcome, but as evidence that the Dodgers hope Green is ready to be a commanding presence on and off the field.

The Dodgers need Green to step up and assume more responsibility in the batting order and clubhouse, continuing his evolution into becoming the club’s undisputed leader. Great things are expected of the slugging right fielder after he established a franchise record with 49 home runs in 2001, and the Dodgers are confident they have backed the right guy.

“I don’t see any hesitation in him in terms of assuming that role, and I think he started to assume some of that role last year,” Dodger General Manager Dan Evans said while watching fielding practice Thursday at Dodgertown. “For me, what we’ve seen early in this camp is a guy who appears to be a lot more comfortable in that role.

“He’s 29 years old, it’s his third year with the team, and it takes a while for a guy to feel you’re to the point where you can say and do some of the things you have to do as a leader. You’ve seen a difference in him this year, very quietly, that indicates to me that he’s aware he has to turn it up another notch.”

Green said he’s ready for the assignment.

“I understand that my role has changed over the last couple of years,” said Green, who has been slowed in spring training by a mild case of tendinitis in his left (throwing) shoulder. “My first year, I didn’t want to say a lot. I wanted to be the new guy and leave it at that.

“Last year, after having a tough first season, I was focused on getting back to where I wanted to be. Now, I’m at the point where the team has changed so much, and I’ve been here for a little while, I feel like it’s important for me to become one of the leaders.”

Dodger officials were hoping Green would become the club’s franchise player when they brought him to the team in a four-player November 1999 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays and signed him to a six-year, $84-million contract that made him the second highest-paid player in club history. They were banking that Green would help them win a playoff game for the first time since 1988, and lessen fans’ anger about their earlier trade of Mike Piazza.

However, the first year didn’t go according to script.

Green, who attended Tustin High, struggled under the weight of returning home and the organization’s expectations. He batted .269 with 24 home runs, 44 doubles, 99 runs batted in, 98 runs and 24 stolen bases in 29 attempts. Not bad numbers--but not good enough for someone being paid an average of $14 million per season.

Instead of being the left-handed complement to the right-handed Sheffield, Green was considered one of the main reasons the Dodgers flopped again. After acknowledging that his “swing got all messed up” because he tried too hard to hit homers, Green decided to “get back to basics and just drive the ball” last season.

The change produced one of the best seasons in Dodger history. Green broke the team record of 43 homers that had been shared by Sheffield and Hall of Famer Duke Snider. He also batted .297, led the club with 125 RBIs, 121 runs and had 31 doubles with 20 stolen bases in 24 attempts.

“The acclimation period is over for him, as far as the adjustment that had to be made in going from the American to the National leagues, and also coming home to the place where he grew up,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “He’s jumped all those hurdles.”

Players have noticed positive changes in Green, who has been more outspoken about team issues since Sheffield’s demand for a contract extension almost tore apart the Dodgers last spring.

Quotes attributed to Sheffield in a national baseball publication blasted the Dodgers for giving ridiculous contracts to, among others, Green, pitcher Darren Dreifort and first baseman Eric Karros. Green has repeatedly declined to comment about the article, but sources said he felt betrayed by Sheffield, who encouraged team officials to bring Green to Los Angeles.

Green made his feelings known to Sheffield in closed-door meetings after the All-Star outfielder arrived late to Dodgertown, sources said. The transformation had begun.

“No question, he’s definitely our main guy,” second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said. “He’s a special individual; we’re going to have to run with him.”

But the Dodgers also know Green can’t do it alone.

“With the year he had last year, he should be coming in here with a very confident attitude,” Karros said. “Whatever is thrown his way, I’m sure he’ll be able to handle it, but you’re going to win as a group.

“One guy isn’t going to carry you and one guy isn’t going to lose it for you. Everybody has to go out and perform at a level that people expect. That goes for the manager to the last guy on the roster.”

Green is one of many players pleased that Sheffield is no longer on the roster. The Dodgers want players who want to be Dodgers, and Sheffield seemingly wanted to work almost anywhere but Chavez Ravine.

“I definitely feel like this team had an issue that doesn’t need to be dealt with anymore because he ... it was obvious he wasn’t happy here,” Green said. “He made it known, so there was an issue. Now, everyone here wants to be here and is happy to be on the Dodgers. That pretty much solves the problem right there.”