Sheff Has Recipe for Success

First the news, then the views....

News: Gary Sheffield helps the Atlanta Braves run away from the pack in the National League East, delivering everything they expected and more.

Views: That’s what great players do, and even the Dodgers reluctantly acknowledge the All-Star outfielder is among the best in the business.

The Braves were enthusiastic about the January trade that brought Sheffield from the Dodgers for pitcher Odalis Perez and outfielder Brian Jordan, believing they improved more than any team in the league with that one move. Their outlook didn’t change while Sheffield was slowed by a left wrist injury in April and the club went 12-15, though some speculated the Braves were done.

Ah, not so fast.

The Braves began the weekend with the major leagues’ best record since April (67-26) and top overall mark (79-41), effectively wrapping up the East with a 19 1/2-game lead. The pitching staff, including a lights-out bullpen, continues to provide the foundation for success, but Sheffield has been the difference in the mix on offense.

Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones have credited Sheffield with transforming a batting order often punchless last season, improving the group with his rare combination of power, high batting average and on-base percentage. Sheffield is having a typically solid season, hitting .299 with 21 home runs, 70 runs batted in and 65 runs. He also has on-base and slugging percentages of .389 and .509, respectively, and has performed well defensively in returning to right field after playing the opposite side for the Dodgers the previous three seasons.

“I’m having the most fun I ever have playing this game,” Sheffield said recently. “It’s great when you look around and see guys like Chipper, and [Tom] Glavine and [Greg] Maddux, and you know these guys know what playing this game is all about. It’s even better than I thought it would be.”

As good as Sheffield has been on the field, the Braves said he has been even better in the clubhouse, leaving the baggage from his Dodger wars at the door.

Everyone knew the Dodgers had to get rid of Sheffield, and General Manager Dan Evans acquired a talented young starter in Perez and the respected Jordan, whose calming presence has helped stabilize a club on edge since Fox picked up the keys.

But Jordan has struggled because of injuries, putting more pressure on All-Star right fielder Shawn Green to shoulder the load offensively. Jordan, who can demand to be traded after the season as a player traded during a multiyear contract, has a salary of $9 million in 2003, and is guaranteed $2.5 million more in a 2004 contract buyout.

Despite Perez’s success this season, the Braves have no regrets about trading for Sheffield. Great players make a difference, and the Braves got one from the Dodgers for an affordable price.

News: Boston Red Sox right-handers Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe form the American League’s top starting tandem.

Views: Finally, Martinez has front-of-the-rotation help.

Lowe continues to roll as the surprising half of the Red Sox’s 1-2 punch, challenging his three-time Cy Young Award-winning teammate for this season’s trophy. They are 33-8 combined, helping the Red Sox keep the heat on the Angels and Oakland Athletics in the AL wild-card race, and the converted closer leads the league with 17 victories.

Not bad for a guy who lost 10 games out of the bullpen, suffered six blown saves and was booed off the mound at Fenway Park last season.

“It motivates you,” Lowe said. “It doesn’t necessarily hurt you. I played here long enough to understand if you struggle, you’re going to get booed. If you pitch well, you’re going to get cheered.

“So it motivates you and drives you to say, ‘I’m going to play here for a lot more years. I don’t want to be booed every time I pitch.’ So it drove me to be a better pitcher, not to have that happen.”

Good move.

News: Arizona Diamondbacks go 26-9 after All-Star break to sprint past Dodgers in the National League West.

Views: It was only a matter of time.

The Dodgers played way over their heads in the first half while the Diamondbacks were building toward a goal, having been here before and understanding championships typically aren’t won in June.

The Diamondbacks didn’t panic while the surprising Dodgers were overcoming their substantial offensive deficiencies, believing everything would eventually fall into place. Sure enough, the Dodgers flopped to start the second half and the Diamondbacks made their move behind the two-headed monster of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, engaged in another in-house Cy Young Award battle.

The buzz in the NL clubhouse at the All-Star game was that Arizona was ready to take off, and the buzz was correct. Repeating in the division, though, is only part of the plan for the defending World Series champions.

News: New York Yankee batters thrive under hitting instructor Rick Down.

Views: The Yankees, who last season struggled offensively, are leading the American League in runs, total bases, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage, and Down’s contribution has been a key part of the story. He has a great rapport with players and understands the mechanics of batting as well as anyone, helping him succeed in his Big Apple homecoming.

Down had a 371-273 record in six seasons managing in the Yankee farm system, leading the club’s triple-A team to three consecutive division titles and two league championships, and became the Yankees’ hitting instructor in 1993. The club led the AL in batting in ’93 and ‘94, but owner George Steinbrenner fired Down after the ’95 season in a move many in the organization regretted.

After stints with the Baltimore Orioles, Dodgers and Red Sox, Down finally returned to the Yankees and they couldn’t be happier.