Sports: Three seasons later, Sheets wants to stick

Three seasons later, Sheets wants to stick

By MARC TOPKIN

ST. PETERSBURG -- Andy Sheets is hoping to stick with the Rays a little longer this time.

His first stint wasn't much -- about two hours from the time he saw on TV that the Rays picked him off the Mariners roster in the November 1997 expansion draft until he got a call from a Seattle reporter with news he'd been traded to San Diego in a deal for catcher John Flaherty.

Three seasons later, Sheets signed with the Rays hoping to land a utility infield job.

"It's good to be back," he said.

Actually, Sheets, 29, was excited about coming the first time, figuring there would be a good opportunity to play and he'd be closer to his Louisiana home.

"I was upset at first about the trade because I was looking forward to coming here, but it actually turned out pretty good," Sheets said. "I got to go to the World Series out of it."

True stuff. While the Rays struggled to avoid 100 losses, Sheets played in the World Series for the Padres. "I was in the right place at the right time and I'll always remember that," Sheets said. "Some guys play for 15 years; I got to do it so early."

Since then, Sheets hasn't done much. He was traded to Anaheim in a March 1999 deal for Phil Nevin and played his way from the Angels starting lineup to Triple A. He spent most of last season in the minors too, playing 83 games for Triple-A Pawtucket (hitting .228) and 12 for Boston and realizes he needs to regroup.

"I'm still trying to find myself," Sheets said. "I need to get back to where I used to be."

He is hoping that turnaround comes with the Rays. He has a connection with scouting director Dan Jennings, who first signed him, and one with Terry Collins, his manager in Anaheim in 1999.

"There's something to be fought for, and that's all you can ask when you're coming into camp," Sheets said. "All you want is a chance. If you don't make it it's your fault because you didn't play well enough."

JUST BROWSING: Having spent a week watching their team, the Rays' top scouts have fanned out across Florida and Arizona looking for, among other things, an experienced reliever.

"My sense is there is a better chance than not we would make at least one trade, though it may be toward the end of spring training," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "Short-term, we need bullpen help. We're happy with some of the arms we have in the bullpen, but we could add to that. And long-term, we're trying to get our hands on as many talented young players as we can. There's interest in a number of our young players."

Among the most expendable could be outfielder Jose Guillen, who makes $975,000 and has complained publicly about his uncertain status.

NUMBERS GAME: Billy Hatcher can take a hint. Josh Hamilton may be wearing 31 on his back in spring training, but it's No. 22 -- Hatcher's No. 22 -- Hamilton has in gold around his neck and in tattoo ink on his arm.

"I told him, "If you make it up to the big leagues, you can have No. 22," Hatcher said. "It's just a number. You can give me No. 99 and I'd be happy."

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES: The nasty business/legal skirmishes involving the SFX agent firm caused pitcher Tanyon Sturtze some serious grief. For 10 years Sturtze was represented by the partnership of Jim Bronner and Bob Gilhooley, who in February 2000 sold their company and accounts to SFX Entertainment. They have since filed suit against the new owners and were subsequently fired.

That left Sturtze, whose contract was up for negotiation, having to decide whether to stay with the new firm or wait for the players association to decide whether Bronner and Gilhooley will be allowed to represent players. "It's been tough for me, I've been caught in the middle," he said.

Since the agent who actually handled Sturtze's affairs, Pat Rooney, went with SFX, Sturtze decided to stay with it. "Jim and Bob were like fathers to me for 10 years so I didn't want to turn my back on them, but there was nothing I could do."

HOO-RAYS: Tickets for the March 31 Grand Slam Gala at Tropicana Field, with all Rays players in attendance, are on sale for $175 each. Proceeds benefit charities. ... A new sponsorship deal with Russell Athletic includes clinics for high school coaches and youth league administrators.