Homecooking Punches Ticket

21 seasons and eight different teams. Gary Sheffield, an American born professional baseball player, hit the magic mark of 500 home runs last night. Prior to the steroid era of the late 80's and entire 90's, 500 long balls were the benchmark for power hitters for the Hall of Fame. However, every player that hits that mark and played during this era has been put under a microscope.

The nomadic Sheffield should be the exception to this and be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he decides to hang up the bat and glove. Despite an injury ridden career, Sheffield has batted at a .292 clip with all the power numbers that rival the games great. We will never know what those numbers would have been had he remained healthy in his prime and completed just one full season.

He passes the number test, but will now face the scrutiny of the media when it comes to the eye test. If you look at pictures of Sheffield from his rookie season, his body has matured at a normal progression with no ups and downs or over the top muscular growth spurts. In comparison, the home run king Barry Bonds went from a slim Pittsburgh Pirate to a watermelon sized head San Francisco Giant, along with the change of voice and jawline accompanied with steroid use.

Not many kids say I want to be like Gary Sheffield, instead we hear A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, Big Pappy, and other stars. The kids of America need to idolize a home grown, do it the right way star like Sheffield. Until next time...

Branden E. Jones