Gary Sheffield

[AfRoMaN36]

What do you think of his new comments? Now he's stating that the Yankees treat black players worse than white players while saying that Derek Jeter doesnt count because he "isnt all the way black." While forgetting that Mariano Rivera is from Panama. And yes.... thats black. Personally I think this is just another moment for Sheffield to run his mouth again and cry foul because he didnt get his way. The Yankees put up with his garbage for 2 years and 2 too many. The guy has a bad reputation as clubhouse cancer because of his big mouth. Why should I take this seriously? Its likely just him over analyzing things. He brings up Womack and Lofton getting lowered in the order when they were slumping while white players would be left to overcome it. But when you look at things logically.... the only white players on the line up are Damon, Jeter and Jason Giambi. We can obviously rule out Giambi because when he was slumping, the man was batting 8th. Johnny Damon is a lead off hitter and is useless elsewhere, while Jeter.... is Jeter. He isnt Jeter. While both Womack and Lofton were victims of circumstance, not race. Womack was pushed to the side for the incomming prospect known as Robinson Cano. And when he began slumping, he was moved to the bench in favor of Bernie Williams. But in an outfeild consisting of Sheffeild, Matsui and Williams. Wherew on earth would Womack go? Same for Lofton. He was just outshined by Bernie. Bernie was one of those guys that just cannot be replaced. Like Jeter was Jeter, Bernie is Bernie. But I'm ranting. Personally, Sheffield makes me sick and I hated him from day one. But what do you think?

[dvdWarrior]

I never cared much for him myself when he was down here with the Braves. Seems he's always been known for making controversial statements though, so this isn't really all that surprising coming from him. He's got an attitude for sure.

[AfRoMaN36]

Its funny that he cries racism AFTER making racist statements toward Latino players a few months earlier.

[Remianen]

I think everyone's being way too sensitive about the whole thing. Sheffield's comments have a ring of truth, unless you want to completely ignore the fact that Major League Baseball shifted its grassroots focus from American inner cities to Latin America (starting from around 1988). That's FACT. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that (a baseball camp in Santiago, Dominican Republic costs ONE-TENTH as much to operate and maintain as one in Chicago or LA or St. Louis or New York), it does give the appearance of favoritism when your domestic outreach programs pretty much die as a result. Oh and you might wanna check your definition. Ask a Panamanian what ethnicity they are. I'm willing to bet money they say 'Hispanic'. Judging people by their skin color is bad, mkay? If you do that, then half the population of the Dominican Republic (as well as Brazil, Uruguay, and parts of Venezuela and Peru) become 'black' all of a sudden. Gary Sheffield is ignorant. Yes, they treated you differently. So what? Did they PAY you differently? If you don't want to be pushed down the order, don't slump or sit out nearly half a season with a "sore" whatever. Even when he has a decent point, he screws it up with his crass delivery.

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=Remianen;260575] Oh and you might wanna check your definition. Ask a Panamanian what ethnicity they are. I'm willing to bet money they say 'Hispanic'. Judging people by their skin color is bad, mkay? [/QUOTE] Oh.... I did. And they say black. In fact many have. I even made a black joke some time ago to a Panamanian girl and she got offended. (it wasnt even bad, shes just hot headed) IMO it depends on whether the individuals family is a spanish speaking Panamanian.

[mjdgoldeneye]

[QUOTE=AfRoMaN36;260771]Oh.... I did. And they say black. I even made a black joke some time ago to a Panamanian girl and she got offended. (it wasnt even bad, shes just hot headed) IMO it depends on whether the individuals family is a spanish speaking Panamanian.[/QUOTE] 1. You're giving off an aura of racism. May be unintentional, but be careful! 2. Puerto Ricans are often considered black, but many also are Spanish speaking. 3. "Black" now-a-days is normally used to describe people because of their country of origin more than their skin color. Mostly "Black" people are people who are from Africa, while people from Central American countries, the West Indies, and such just go by their home country (Jamaicans, Haitians, Panamanians, Nicaraguans, Costa Ricans, etc.). Also, it varies by the person. I know a Dominican who gets angry when people call him black, but another that prefers it! Just a clarification!

[PeterHilton]

Derek Jeter isn't white. He's mixed. You just made the same kind of ignorant statement Sheff did about Jeter, but in reverse. Also, most of the guys form the Dominican that I know or knew in the military preferred to be called hispanic over black, but over-all preferred to be called "Dominican." Sheff is a little ignorant and extremely biased in his POV, but he's not a stupid man. Very brigt. very well read. Just has view of the world skewed by his and his families own personal experience. Lotta people he knew didn't make it where they could've and ins his mind it was "the man holding him down." He's an angry black man in America. I know...stunning. Difference is he is also just famous enough that everything he says gets put in a magazine. Personaly, I like the fact he says *someething.* Time was in this country that a lot of the most imortant rce issues of the day were addressed and improved by pro athletes. Now that all just try to keep quiet to maintain their sponsors or even worse some are apparently living up to the stereotypes.

[AfRoMaN36]

I'm not a racist lol. Like I'd be the only one to make race jokes with friends (the girl being one of them.) I can honestly say that everyone in here does it. I'm probably the only one to admit it. And I'm probably not the only one who hides his valuables in high crime areas after being mugged for them just months prior. The "black neighborhood" but was a half joke. Even though I will honestly admit I've gotten a bit gun shy since that incident and its something I wont deny. But honestly.... Im probaby the darkest guy here. And Panamanias are black simply because I've spoken to a few and they think so. They would know better than me.

[ubernoob]

Your above post is one big contradiction.

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=PeterHilton;260793] Personaly, I like the fact he says *someething.* Time was in this country that a lot of the most imortant rce issues of the day were addressed and improved by pro athletes. Now that all just try to keep quiet to maintain their sponsors or even worse some are apparently living up to the stereotypes.[/QUOTE] But hes saying these things on pure speculation knowing it would start a rukus. This isnt just him speaking up and saying something... this is typical Gary. And it was godly annoying trying to defend him to others when he was a Yankee and slugging 40 home runs in which case I'll admit I put up with it better, but now that he's gone and bashing the organization that put up with it. I just think what you said about the "angry black man" stereotype is dead on.

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=ubernoob;260798]Your above post is one big contradiction.[/QUOTE] I dont need to prove myself to anybody. I'm just unafraid to admit that I watch Chappelle Show and laugh at the racial jokes rather tan pretend I'm on some high horse.

[ubernoob]

[QUOTE=AfRoMaN36;260802]I dont need to prove myself to anybody. I'm just unafraid to admit that I watch Chappelle Show and laugh at the racial jokes rather tan pretend I'm on some high horse.[/QUOTE] I watch Chappelle show too, and find it hilarious. Because I'm white does that mean I am a racist? You talk about not needing to prove yourself, and blah blah, yet you go on to say that are are the darkest person here probably, which is most likely untrue, and say that you are better than others.

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=ubernoob;260806]I watch Chappelle show too, and find it hilarious. Because I'm white does that mean I am a racist? You talk about not needing to prove yourself, and blah blah, yet you go on to say that are are the darkest person here probably, which is most likely untrue, and say that you are better than others.[/QUOTE] No because you're white and watch Chapelle show it means youre NOT racist. It means you laugh at an equal oppourtunity like show like CS and you're aware of the stereotypes. (whether they are true or not) And I dont recall saying I was better than anyone. I just said that I dont feel uncomfortable making those jokes with friends which most of them being black anyway without seeming racist just because..... Chappelle does it... and he's not racist. Why can't I? And its safe to say I'm atleast one of the darker guys in here. But enough about this topic, as accusation like this hurt my mojo. Lets just end it right here and go back to Sheffield.

[PeterHilton]

[QUOTE=AfRoMaN36;260800]But hes saying these things on pure speculation knowing it would start a rukus. This isnt just him speaking up and saying something... this is typical Gary. And it was godly annoying trying to defend him to others when he was a Yankee and slugging 40 home runs in which case I'll admit I put up with it better, but now that he's gone and bashing the organization that put up with it. I just think what you said about the "angry black man" stereotype is dead on.[/QUOTE] Hippocritical isn't it? You defended him when he was on your team but now that he plays for someone else "he's an idiot?" Gary Sheffiled has been this way his entire career. He admitted to throwing away balls while playing the infield for Milwaukee so they would change his position. As a Brewer he said he'd never be a star in Milwaukee because the fans didn't lie cheering for a black man. He openly rooted against his teammate Fred McGriff in San Diego because Sheff would get a huge bonus for winning the HR title that year. I know sports fans do it all the time, but its still a little two-faced. Also, it's not "pure speculation." He played for Torre didn't he? This is Gary's opinion based form his perspective and how he saw other black players treated. He didn't just make this up off the top of his head. Even if he's wrong..its just his POV.

[ubernoob]

[QUOTE=PeterHilton;260818] As a Brewer he said he'd never be a star in Milwaukee because the fans didn't lie cheering for a black man. [/QUOTE] Silly Sheffield. If he were good in Milwaukee we would have cheered for him :D It's okay, I love the team we have now (minus Bill Hall and Geoff Jenkins. And Ned Yost, he's a bad manager).

[AfRoMaN36]

Yeah it is hyppocritical of me to the tenth degree. And this is one of the times that I will agree with you Peter. Although I never liked Sheffield because of his reputation as Clubhouse Cancer. I always felt obligated to defend him when a Mets fan gets in my face about it. Still didnt mean I liked him. But I agree with you and I hated that I defended him. I say "speculation" because he is interpreting several individual things, putting them together and saying. "Hey... they must be racist! Their is no other explanation..." It couldnt be that Sheffields a lazy player who rarely hustles out of the box. (A big no-no for the Yankees) or that Lofton and Womack just got out played by the same player in different years. Its because theyre racist. That seems like the only answer for him. And that type of mentaliy drives me kukoo...

[PeterHilton]

I dunno...Womack got outplayed. But Lofton was having a very good year and was the only true lead off man on the roster. Bernie could've DH'd more. Especially considering how their careers have gone since then, I can see where Lofton would have a beef. And again.."speculation" means you are making things up with no first hand knowledge. Gary has an informed opinion.

[AfRoMaN36]

I guess with Lofton he might have a beef. But I just dont know where he couldve played with Bernie at Center and Ruben Sierra having a renisance year at DH. (Though I'll admit during the playoffs I remember some times Lofton couldve been played preferably over Sierra while Sierra was still used) I still dont think it was racial. I mean I dont know how where the person comes from having any affect on how people uses the player. And if you want to go by appearance. Their are plenty of dark colored players on the Yankees so it would be kind of odd that you would single out Lofton simply because he holds the title of African American. Esspecially in a land where the suicidal drug addict Darryl Strawberry is seen so highly. But once again... you're right. I dont know for sure, I wasnt their. It wont change my opinon on the team though, mainly because I think he's just talking out of his behind.

[PeterHilton]

I don't think it was racial either. Just saying that this is how Gary Sheffield sees it. He's not making it up to start trouble. He's not "some idiots" This is just his opinion. And his way of delivering a message. Remi said it best: [QUOTE]Even when he has a decent point, he screws it up with his crass delivery.[/QUOTE]