Gary Sheffield

Now I fully understand why the Dodgers had to unload the salaries of Ismael Valdes and Eric Young--so they could fill their roster with second-hand scrubs like F.P. Santangelo and Gregg Olson. Just think of how many more worthless reserves they could sign if they were willing to dump the salaries of proven veterans like Eric Karros and Gary Sheffield. J. SCOTT SCHEFFER Adelanto Kudos to Fox, which, while making necessary revenue-enhancing additions to Dodger Stadium to cater to the wealthy and to corporations, is keeping the bleachers and my beloved top deck at a reasonable $6. See you opening day. STEVE SMITH San Gabriel

The BALCO steroid scandal intruded on the start of baseball playoffs Tuesday when New York Yankee slugger Gary Sheffield said he had unknowingly used an illegal testosterone-based cream. In a Sports Illustrated story, Sheffield said he was introduced to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, a nutritional supplement distributor, by San Francisco Giant star Barry Bonds in the spring of 2002.

Kevin Malone, the new self-appointed "Sheriff of the NL West," sounds more like Barney Fife. Does he have any idea how ridiculous he sounds when he is quoted as saying "Sheff is willing to do whatever it takes to help us win"? Gary Sheffield is one of the most selfish athletes playing professional sports today. This is the same guy who admitted to intentionally playing badly as a Milwaukee Brewer so he would be traded, who has had only two good seasons in a lengthy career and is now whining like the spoiled child he is over his switch to left field and his dissatisfaction with the dress code.

Gary Sheffield got a thumb's up from a hand specialist Tuesday and will return to spring training instead of having surgery to repair a torn ligament. The right fielder, who reinjured his thumb last weekend, was examined in New York by Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser. Sheffield immediately headed back to Tampa, Fla., and will resume playing later this week.

So Gary Sheffield wants the Dodgers to pursue his buddy Barry Bonds this off-season so they can both get their rings. Remember how far it set back the Dodger franchise when good buddies Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis were patroling the outfield at Chavez Ravine a decade ago? If Sheffield really wants to help the Dodgers win the pennant, I suggest he join good buddy Barry with the Giants. Ron Tom Pasadena It would be much better for the Dodgers if Gary Sheffield was best friends with ... I don't know, Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina and even Roger Clemens, to name a few. As a Dodger fan, I have enjoyed hating Barry Bonds as a San Francisco Giant.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Gary Sheffield said Sunday he was "very happy" with the cover story on him in the latest issue of ESPN the Magazine. The Dodger left fielder, who rankled so many with his trade demand in spring training, tweaked many more with his comments in the magazine.

The Gary Sheffield situation took an unexpected turn Saturday when the all-star left fielder rescinded his trade request because of "my teammates and all the fans who really love Gary Sheffield." Through his agent, Jim Neader, Sheffield informed General Manager Kevin Malone that he wanted to remain with the club despite his contract-extension request having been denied, criticism of Chairman Bob Daly and hints that he might struggle if the club keeps him.

Noticing a crowd, Gary Sheffield and Shawn Green hugged, smiled and walked together Monday at Dodgertown. "See, look at me and Greenie," Sheffield said, smiling. "No problems. Put that in the paper." But Sheffield remains a problem for the Dodgers. Despite his upbeat display, the disgruntled left fielder still wants to be traded. The Dodgers maintain that the Sheffield situation has not been a distraction.

I'm no Alan Greenspan, but paying $11.3 million for exclusive rights to negotiate with an unproven pitcher seems ridiculous, considering the Dodger management refused to return calls from Chan Ho Park's agent, which cost nothing. Interestingly, this "negotiation fee" is close to what Park gets per season with the Rangers. Are you sure Tony Tavares isn't the new Dodger "brains"? Su Pak Los Angeles Assuming the Dodgers have Kazuhisa Ishii and Hideo Nomo in the starting rotation, I can only imagine the potential changes that might take place at Dodger Stadium.