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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 18, 2006
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When Sheffield says "I never realized how mental it is", that is a sure-fire clue that he is probably done. If he is only now realizing the importance of the mental aspect of the game, after all these years of playing baseball, it shows: (1) he was getting through on shear, raw talent, and (2) now he's totally lost, given that his playing skills are diminished. Sounds like he needs a GPS to even find left field. Even Yogi Berra knew years ago that "baseball is 90% mental and the other half physical" - or words to that effect. Anyone who has followed Sheffield at all knows what a head case he is. But, gee, to admit now that you don't know how mental baseball is . . . You can only wonder how good Sheffield might have been if his head had been in the game throughout his career.
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Reputation:76
Level:Pro
Since:Sep 12, 2006
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Um...He's talking about how mental the DH position is -- a position he had not played with any frequency before moving to Detroit. Obviously.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 18, 2006
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I re-read that section of the article, and it's not all that clear whether he is talking about DH, left field, or perhaps being dropped in the order. In any of those cases, his discovery of the mental aspects of baseball so late in his career reflects what I said in the original post. With his physical talent, he might have been a truly great player had he known what the game was all about.
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Reputation:79
Level:Pro
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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You CAN teach an old dog a new trick!!! The mental aspect of the game can be taught .... you can't teach talent ... Sheff will be fine ... no, he won't be the fantasy stud he used to be ... but he will be better than Jones was ....
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Reputation:87
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 20, 2007
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I think you are taking his comments out of context and missing the total point the article is making. It seems like the article is implying Sheffield was somehow restricted at DH and therefore it can be inferred that he is talking about DH'ing being mental and not baseball. When Sheff made the popcorn vendor comment I believe he was implying that the idle time was not helping him focus like being on the field used to. It's too early to so boldly say he is done.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 18, 2006
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I re-read that section of the article, and it's not all that clear whether he is talking about DH, left field, or perhaps being dropped in the order. In any of those cases, his discovery of the mental aspects of baseball so late in his career reflects what I said in the original post. With his physical talent, he might have been a truly great player had he known what the game was all about. Re-read the article again. Maybe you'll get it next time.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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Yeah, he was talking about DH'ing. I can see the missunderstanding, but you missed the point a bit here.
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Reputation:55
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 20, 2008
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You are not understanding Sheff. He is talking about the mental aspects of being a full-time DH. Not the mental aspects of the game in general. Many players have voiced similiar reactions when they tried to do full-time DHing. Hafner has mentioned it many times how difficult it is to keep your head in the game when your the DH versus playing the field. Yes, to an outsider, it would seem it would be better that a hitter would only need to concentrate on hitting but based on what many players say, this isn't true.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 4, 2006
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I think he was refering to the difference between playing in the field and being a DH. many baseball palyers have experienced the same thing. Players are more into the game and mentally focused when playing the field. It's hard to get off the bench every three innings and hit and that's it...
The guy's been in the league how long? Give him some credit. He probably knows more about about baseball than both of us!
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Reputation:59
Level:Pro
Since:May 6, 2008
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I think Sheff is mad a dog bit his dick
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 26, 2007
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Big Italian, shut up man. You're not funny and thats just screwed up. Anyway, I think Sheff can regain at least decent form because he is a great veteran and will find his way out of this slump. It's not like he hasnt had to deal with a slump in his career before... | |
