Sheffield doesn’t back off criticism of Torre

The Yankee manager doesn’t plan to speak with his former slugger.

NEW YORK (AP) — Back at Yankee Stadium, where all his brash talk has turned him into an unpopular foe, Gary Sheffield took a few more cuts at former manager Joe Torre.

After saying recently that Torre treated black and white players differently in the New York clubhouse, Sheffield stood by those comments Thursday and explained why he has a much better relationship with his current skipper, Jim Leyland of the Detroit Tigers.

“He’s real,” Sheffield said. “That’s all there is to it. You get it both ways — the positive and the negative — and he’s real about both sides.”

As he has all along, Torre declined to offer much of a response to Sheffield.

“It’s all going to go back to the comments. I don’t want to go there,” the Yankees’ manager said.

Asked if he might talk to Sheffield if he had a chance, Torre said: “Probably not.” He declined to give a specific reason.

Key series begins

Sheffield was in town for the opener of a key four-game series between Detroit and New York, with both teams contending for a playoff spot. He said he had no extra motivation to perform well against the Yankees, who traded him to the Tigers in the offseason.

The slugger was booed before his first plate appearance — a clear indication of how popular Torre is in the Big Apple.

Before the game, Sheffield said he was prepared for whatever reception he might get.

“I produced every year I was here besides the year I got hurt and I’ll leave it at that,” he said at his locker, with his ailing right shoulder wrapped. “I don’t have a Boston uniform on, so I don’t know if that’s going to make a difference.”

Sheffield, who spent three years playing for Torre in New York, insisted he doesn’t regret making his controversial comments to HBO’s “Real Sports” and he has no desire to clear the air with his ex-manager.

“I don’t have to clear up nothing. I meant what I said, said what I meant — and I stand by it,” Sheffield said. “Like I said before, you can do whatever you want with my words, I don’t really care.”

Kind to Steinbrenner

Sheffield reiterated that he always felt as though owner George Steinbrenner was the only member of the Yankees’ brass who wanted him in New York. The nine-time All-Star said he received a letter from Steinbrenner after he was traded, thanking him for his effort and contributions, and it meant a lot to him.

“I still have it,” Sheffield said.

He felt disrespected by others. According to Sheffield, certain Yankees decision-makers, including Torre, made it clear early in his tenure with the team that they thought New York should have acquired Vladimir Guerrero instead.

But Sheffield said he had no problem with general manager Brian Cashman, and wasn’t upset that the Yankees traded him.

“They wanted me back. It was my choice to leave. I wasn’t willing to play first base for a year,” Sheffield said. “I didn’t come here to play first base.”

Cashman confirmed that the club would have kept Sheffield if he were willing to play first this season. Now, Sheffield said he’s happy with his multiyear contract in Detroit — even though he’s had to adjust to being a designated hitter.

“I got what I wanted. I’m in Detroit. I’m around people who care about me,” said Sheffield, who began the day batting .284 with 71 RBIs and a team-leading 24 homers.

Sheffield said it felt weird to be in the visitors’ clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, but he didn’t plan to go out of his way to chat with his buddies on the other side.

“I have ex-teammates all around the league. It’s no different,” Sheffield said.