JockBio: Gary Sheffield Facts

	Gary Sheffield — Facts
	bio	facts	what they say	my say

JockBio Vital Stats
• New York Mets	• Right Fielder	• #10
• Height: 6'	• Weight: 215	• Born: 11/18/68

In 1992, Gary became the youngest batting champion since Tommy Davis in 1963.
Gary is one of only a handful of athletes to compete in the Little League World Series and the major league World Series. Others include Boog Powell, Rick Wise, Carney Lansford, Derek Bell and Charlie Hayes.
Gary’s 1980 Little League team was invited to Yankee Stadium. He still has a picture of the kids posing with Reggie Jackson.
When Gary began his pro career in 1986, he asked his stepfather to handle his day-to-day finances. Harold refused, telling Gary that if he couldn’t handle a $12,000-a-year salary, how could he expect to deal with a six- or seven-figure paycheck?
In 1992, Gary and Fred McGriff became the first teammates to homer back-to-back twice in the same game since Ernie Banks and Dee Fondy did it for the Cubs in 1955.
Gary was named NL Comeback Player of the Year in 1992.
Gary’s switch to the outfield in 1994 was helped by Marlins coach Vada Pinson.
Gary’s friendship with Barry Bonds, which began in 1995, coincided with his soaring walk totals. The two sluggers often discuss the virtues of patience at the plate.
Gary hit two home runs in an inning for the Marlins in 1997.
As of the start of the 2004 season, Gary was the Florida Marlins’ all-time home run leader.
Gary led the A.L. in 2005 with a .359 average against left-handed pitching.
Gary’s next-door neighbor in San Diego was Fred McGriff. The two also had lockers next to each other in the Padre clubhouse. Both players grew up in Tampa.
Gary fathered two children—Ebony and Carissa—at 16 and 17. His parents raised one, and the other remained with the mother. Gary’s third child, Gary Jr., was born in 1994.
In 2004, Gary was the target of an extortion plot. A Chicago man named Derrick Mosely threatened to release a sex tape of DeLeon and a professional musician with whom she had a relationship 10 years earlier. Gary went to the federal authorities, and Mosely was charged with extortion.
Gary is a footwear fanatic. He owns more than 300 pairs of shoes.
Gary’s cousin, Tim Carter, played for the New York Giants from 2002 to 2006. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2007.
Gary’s book, Inside Power, is due to be published in 2007.
Gary has amended his position on his steroids use, saying that he was given several substances in conjunction with treatment of a bad knee, but he didn't know what they were.
Gary’s batting stance is unmistakable. With toes pointed in, he wags his bat over his head, tilting it so that the barrel aims straight at the pitcher. From this impossible start, he whips his bat through the hitting zone with amazing speed and precision. He is tough to fool with anything on the inside half of the plate and only in his weak moments will he chase soft stuff outside.
When Gary gets a ball in his wheel house, he hits shots the outfielders don’t even turn for. When he is protecting with two strikes, he can produce line drives the other way. If he gets four balls in an at -bat, he usually takes them.

Tommy Davis, TCMA The 1960s

Vada Pinson, 1970 Topps Super