Lofton backs Sheffield's claim of different treatment of black and white Yankees

[hockeybeat]

I didn't see any a thread on this--it's probably buried in the running MLB thread--but I figured it deserved its own forum:

Sheffield on Torre:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070714/SPORTS18/707140368/1050


Lofton's support of Sheffield's statment:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-sbynotes155294608jul15,0,7236688.story?coll=ny-baseball-headlines
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/07/15/2007-07-15_lofton_sheff_is_right_on_joe-1.html

 

[LATimesman]

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but odd coincidence on how both papers used the phrase "chimed in," which you don't use every day.

Newsday: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Former Yankee Kenny Lofton chimed in yesterday on Gary Sheffield's comments that Joe Torre treats black and white players differently.

NYDN: T. PETERSBURG - Gary Sheffield isn't the only player who feels Joe Torre treated black players differently than white players, as Sheffield's former teammate, Kenny Lofton, chimed in with his thoughts yesterday before his Rangers played in Anaheim.

 

[WaylonJennings]

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but odd coincidence on how both papers used the phrase "chimed in," which you don't use every day.

Yes, you do. It has very much become a cliche in these instances.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Lofton and Sheffield, two solid citizens.

The Braves caught Lofton's act for one year, then got his ass out of there ASAP.

 

[chazp]

It's strange that this comes up now and not earlier. Torre's been managing about 20 years. Makes you wonder why no one else ever had a problem with him. Consider the source. Those two are about as credible as Canseco and McGuire.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

It's strange that this comes up now and not earlier. Torre's been managing about 20 years. Makes you wonder why no one else ever had a problem with him. Consider the source. Those two are about as credible as Canseco and McGuire.

I disagree... The first person they went to with Sheffield's claims agreed with them... That makes him look pretty credible even if Sheffield is a former steroid user and Lofton is known for being difficult to deal with...

 

[Moderator1]

Lofton and Sheffield, two solid citizens.

The Braves caught Lofton's act for one year, then got his ass out of there ASAP.

I had to deal with him briefly - thank gosh - while he was in Atlanta. I wasn't in that clubhouse often. When I was, it was a great room to work.
He was the big, big, big exception.
What a prick.

 

[typewriterhill]

Lofton was a model citizen in Pittsburgh, created no issues, and was a good teammate for many of the young players during 2003. I have to laugh at the constant Lofton ripping because he flamed out in Atlanta.

 

[broadway joe]

Re: Lofton backs Sheffield's claim of different treatment of black and white Yan

Lofton may be fine with other players, but I know a lot of people in our biz to whom he's been a moody, sullen asshole.

Sheffield is full of crap. I'd give what he says about Torre more credence if he'd said it while he was still a Yankee instead of waiting to smear the guy once he doesn't have to see him on a daily basis anymore. Think of all the players of color Torre has played with and managed in his career, and this is the first we're hearing that he treats them differently? C'mon. BTW, Sheff's comments about steroids and Jeter's ethnicity expose what an ignorant guy he really is.

Jeter's overwhelming blandness amazes me. Sheffield basically calls him a half-breed and questions his blackness, and his response is "No comment"? No visible anger whatsoever. The guy is like an android.

 

[hockeybeat]

Jeter is kind of like Michael Corleone. He never gets upset in public. He just writes people off.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Jeter is kind of like Michael Corleone. He never gets upset in public. He just writes people off.

Jeter is simply the luckiest guy in baseball history.

Nothing more or less.

 

[spnited]

HB, you just insulted Michael Corleone.
I wouldn't count on living through the night.

 

[hockeybeat]

HB, you just insulted Michael Corleone.
I wouldn't count on living through the night.

I know some guys. He rolls with Luca Brasi. I roll with guys who can take out ol' Luca.

 

[chazp]

Lofton was a model citizen in Pittsburgh, created no issues, and was a good teammate for many of the young players during 2003. I have to laugh at the constant Lofton ripping because he flamed out in Atlanta.

Lofton was a prick in Cleveland, long before he flamed out in Atlanta. He's now on his 11th team, and ninth in seven seasons. Sheffield is on his seventh team. I'm sure the reason these guys have played for 18 teams between them is because they are such great guys to have around.

Great point, when someone's on that many teams, you have to question what they say about the treatment of players. No one wants them around, so where's the problem? With all the managers the player played for, or the player?

 

[heyabbott]

Here's a column by the late David Halberstam. I'll take his opinion over Gary Sheffield. Sheffield's a great player but a bigger asshole, liar and simpleton. His inability to think through his answers before he responds isn't a sign of honesty but a sign of limited intellgience and shallowness.

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/halberstam/011112_new.html

I look forward to reading William Rhoden's thoughtless literary attempt to fellate Gary Sheffield, But until Bob Gibson decalres Joe Torre a racist, I'll take the Gibson-Torre freindship as evidence of Torre's color-blind professional dealings, and I'' treat Sheffield's rants as the [posturing of an irrational little prick.

 

[shockey]

torre's been in baseball forever and manager of the yankees since '96. now we're supposed to suddenly believe black players take issue with him? yeah, sheffield and lofton are two solid sources, all right.

no one is a bigger fan of sheffield's batting skills than i am. he's fierce and fearless in the batter's box. heck, i even covered one of the little league world series he played in, so there's some sentimental attachment here.

but he's a complete moron. :o :o :o

 

[novelist_wannabe]

Lofton gets burned over his head in the game. Afterward, I ask him about it.

Me: Was that one of those instances where it was hard to judge a ball right at you?
Him: You trying to tell me how to play center field?

Granted, the question could have been better, but he didn't have to go on the defensive; it also gave him an opportunity to make an excuse. Prickly, to be sure.

 

[Boom_70]

Lofton and Sheff - two of the biggest malcontents and malingerers there ever has been in baseball when things did not got their way.

Darryl Strawberry was quoted in papers today on never having problems with Joe. I wonder what Uncle Doc will say. Joe certainly stood by him. Also will be interested in what Tim Raines has to say.
One of Joe's best friends in baseball -- Bob Gibson - that's good enough for me.

It will also be interesting to see what Willie Randolph has to say. Joe certainly did a lot to help him.

 

[slappy4428]

Here's a column by the late David Halberstam. I'll take his opinion over Gary Sheffield. Sheffield's a great player but a bigger asshole, liar and simpleton. His inability to think through his answers before he responds isn't a sign of honesty but a sign of limited intellgience and shallowness.

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/halberstam/011112_new.html

I look forward to reading William Rhoden's thoughtless literary attempt to fellate Gary Sheffield, But until Bob Gibson decalres Joe Torre a racist, I'll take the Gibson-Torre freindship as evidence of Torre's color-blind professional dealings, and I'' treat Sheffield's rants as the [posturing of an irrational little prick.

Well said, Yab...

 

[Guy_Incognito]

It's strange that this comes up now and not earlier. Torre's been managing about 20 years. Makes you wonder why no one else ever had a problem with him. Consider the source. Those two are about as credible as Canseco and McGuire.

At this point, why would you consider Canseco non-credible?