Sheffield Homers in Rehab Finale With Flying Tigers

Sheffield Homers in Rehab Finale With Flying Tigers

By DAVID YATES
LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

Published: Monday, June 23, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8:45 a.m.

LAKELAND - Gary Sheffield bid farewell to Lakeland on Sunday, but not before helping the Flying Tigers rout Jupiter, 10-4, in Florida State League baseball at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Sheffield, who will be joining Detroit today after a month on the disabled list, was one of four Flying Tigers to belt home runs.

His solo home run onto the berm in left on the first pitch of the fifth inning made it easy for Lakeland manager Andy Barkett to give Detroit the green light that Sheffield's rehab assignment was a success.

"I feel good and I am ready to go," said Sheffield, who hit one other home run in his week in the FSL.

"Having a player of his caliber in the lineup did nothing but help us because of the intense way he goes about his business," said Barkett.

"I hope that all of our guys paid attention to the way that Gary stays locked in and focused throughout the game," added Lakeland's first-year skipper.

First baseman Ryan Strieby certainly looked like he was locked in Sunday, rocketing a two-run homer and a bases-loaded 410-foot triple that would have been a grand slam in every other league park.

"I thought I got all of it but here you can never be sure of that when you hit it to center field," said Strieby, who admitted that he shied away from approaching Sheffield about any hitting tips the potential Hall of Famer might offer.

Lakeland hitting coach Larry Herndon was not shy about praising Strieby's own approach to hitting.

"He has very workable mechanics and is so strong that you're going to see more nights like this one from Ryan Strieby," said Herndon, a veteran of 14 Major League seasons.

Jeramy Laster and Devin Thomas also homered for the Flying Tigers, who will play host to the Hammerheads again tonight at 7. Michigan southpaw Duane Below (4-4, 3.46) is expected to oppose Jupiter right-hander Jeffrey Allison (4-6, 4.36).

Looks like Sheff is on his way back to Detroit.

The above was from The Detroit Weblog:

There’s been no official word from the Tigers yet, but it appears that Gary Sheffield is Detroit bound. According to the Lakeland Ledger, Sunday’s game was Sheffield’s last rehab outing and he left to join the team.

During Sheffield’s rehab stint he only had 2 hits, both homers, in
13 at-bats. And in typical Sheffield fashion he drew 6 walks while
striking out just once.

Presumably this would mean Jeff Larish is optioned back to Toledo.
And hopefully this doesn’t impact Marcus Thames playing time.

Larish will be the odd man out. I've all but given up on Sheffield. I hope he proves me wrong.

He should only bat 7th until he earns to bat 3rd.

bobrob2004 wrote:: Larish will be the odd man out. I've all but given up on Sheffield. I hope he proves me wrong.

He should only bat 7th until he earns to bat 3rd.

Larish has not excelled so far, I agree, he will probably be the odd man out.

Sheff hit 2 homers and walked in Lakeland, nothing else. I really don't have much hope either. If he homers, great, otherwise please retire!

And Thames will probably sit on the bench this week.

gs78 wrote:: And Thames will probably sit on the bench this week.

Good move though - Sheffield hits longer foul balls than Thames. Thames hits fair home runs but Sheffield hits higher popups than Thames. That's why Thames will sit while Sheffield bats 3rd hitting .175ish.

I didn't have faith in Sheff when we first got him, but he proved me wrong then too. I'm willing to believe in him... for now.

Thames needs to be playing everyday.

Tigers are finally on a roll.

Sheff might fuck it all up

Thames is liable to streak just like everyone else does. Who the hell knows? Maybe in a month we'll be bitching about him needing to be traded.

Odds are, Thames is going to stay in the lineup one way or another.

Maybe,

But I rather see Sheff, Willis and Rodney on the shelf!

This team is hot!

Keep it going