DETROIT – A bad week for Gary Sheffield got worse yesterday when he was suspended for two games and fined $2,000 by MLB’s top cop Bob Watson for his behavior Sunday night against the Mets.
Sheffield immediately appealed the sentence and will be available to play tonight against the Tigers.
Sheffield was called out at first base by umpire C.B. Bucknor and reacted by slamming his helmet to the ground. In the ensuing nose-to-nose argument with Bucknor, Watson said Sheffield bumped Bucknor and fired foul language at the umpire.
“He has appealed so I don’t comment on cases that are appealed,” Watson said yesterday.
A friend of Sheffield’s said yesterday that the Yankees’ right fielder and No. 3 batter offered a “No comment” when asked about being suspended and fined.
However, Sheffield will address the issue before tonight’s game against the Tigers at Comerica Park because he never ducks.
Don’t expect Sheffield, who insists he didn’t make contact with Bucknor, to back down from what he said on the subject Monday in Baltimore when he explained he would be stunned if suspended.
“Suspension!” Sheffield laughed when asked if he thought he would get benched. “It’s no contest.”
GM Brian Cashman supported Sheffield appealing the suspension.
“I am glad he is [appealing it], because a lot of circumstances led up to it,” Cashman said. “There was a blown umpire’s call and he emotionally blew his top by throwing his helmet down. You wish at that moment the umpires would turn their back and walk away. There would be no issue in terms of suspension. I am glad he is appealing it and we support that appeal process.”
Sheffield’s week started with the ejection on Sunday night. On Wednesday The Post reported that the Mets and Yankees had discussed a trade that would send Sheffield to the Mets for Mike Cameron. Before Joe Torre told Sheffield the Yankees nixed the deal, Sheffield warned any team in baseball not to trade for him because they would be getting an unhappy player.
Sheffield also used the forum to discuss the sacrifices ($4.5 million in deferred money with no interest) he made to become a Yankee when he signed a three-year contract worth $39 million before last season. And he said players don’t get paid for extras such as being a fiery and emotional leader.
Asked about Sheffield’s comments yesterday, Cashman said: “Obviously this is a player who wants to stay here and I appreciate that. In Sheff’s case he is more part of the solution than any problem that we are currently having.”