NewYork.Mets.com

Sheffield makes fashion contribution

• fan comments
• print this page
• e-mail this page
• post on facebook

Related Links

• Santana fans 10 as Mets shut out Phils
• Phillies lose despite Park's stellar effort
• Mets to place Perez on DL, recall Niese
• Foot feeling better, Utley back in lineup
• K-Rod available, but Putz gets night off
• Making first visit, Phillies like Citi Field
• Kalas tribute dinner to be held Monday

By Marty Noble / MLB.com

05/06/09 7:10 PM ET

NEW YORK -- The Mets imported Gary Sheffield for his offense, veteran presence and, as he learned last week, his edge. There is another contribution he has made that has gone unnoticed until now, one that deals with fashion.

You may have noticed by now that Sheffield wears his baseball pants long, as many players do these days. Sheffield, Ryan Church and Jose Reyes prefer pants that touch the ground and cover almost all of the backs and heels of their spikes. Gravity doesn't always do the job the players want, so Sheffield has brought a new technique to the Mets' clubhouse.

Sheffield covers the backs of his spikes and the sides adjacent to the backs with pine tar, the sticky substance normally used on bats. He also spreads some on top of the spikes where the pants legs rest.

"Sticks like glue," Sheffield said.

Said Church: "Got to have that veteran presence."

Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.