Andy Sheets

From SoSH

Andrew (Andy) Mark Sheets, during his brief tenure in Boston, was perhaps best known for making every opposing pitcher look like Pedro Martinez. Sheets acquired just two hits in 21 at-bats (and none until his eighth game, on May 11, 2000), earning the wrath of Boston fans and the admiration of Jimy Williams. While with Boston (in April and May of 2000), Sheets appeared in 10 games at shortstop, one at first base, and (unbelievably) two games as the DH. He wore uniform number 18 with the Red Sox.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Sheets's Moments in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

Andy Sheets was selected in the fourth round of the amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners in 1992, and after spending three years in the minors, he made his major league debut on April 22, 1996. Sheets struggled through his rookie year, appearing in 47 games and batting just .191/.262/.264 and striking out 41 times in 110 at-bats. His sophomore year did not represent much of an improvement (32 games, .247/.299/.416), though he did have somewhat of a power surge with 3 doubles and 4 home runs in 89 at-bats.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, obviously intrigued by his power potential, selected Sheets in the 1997 expansion draft and immediately traded him to San Diego (along with Brian Boehringer) for John Flaherty. Andy spent one year with San Diego, appearing in 88 games (and batting .242/.318/.407) before being traded to the Anaheim Angels (along with Gus Kennedy) for Phil Nevin and Keith Volkman. After yet another dismal season (87 games, .197/.236/.275), Sheets became a free agent and signed with the Red Sox.

Andy Sheets lasted only two months with the Red Sox, appearing in 12 games and drilling 2 singles in 21 at-bats, before he was mercifully removed from the roster. The "Hit Dog Lite" maintained a consistent .000 average until May 11th, when he finally attained his first hit in a Red Sox uniform. After his first hit, Sheets went on a tear, going 1 for his next 4 before being sent down.

After the 2000 season, Sheets signed with the Devil Rays. During the 2001 and 2002 seasons, Sheets appeared in 90 games with the Devil Rays, batting .222 with 5 home runs and 36 RBI (including 8 hits against Boston, to the disbelief of Red Sox fans).

Overall, Andy Sheets appeared in 356 major league games from 1996-2002, batting .216/.271/.321 with 19 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and 113 RBI in 960 at-bats. In 2003, Andy signed with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan, and he has played for the Tigers for the past four years (becoming an All-Star first baseman in the Japanese league).

Sheets's Moments in the Sun

• May 4, 1998: Andy Sheets went 3-for-5 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 4 RBI for San Diego in a 13-5 win over Milwaukee.

• April 29, 1999: The Angels pounded rookie pitcher Roy Halladay and defeated Toronto 17-1. Halladay entered the game having given up 0 earned runs all year (in 20 innings pitched), but the Angels scored 7 runs in the first to end his scoreless streak. Andy Sheets had a home run and 5 RBI in the game.

Trivia

• Cousin of Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets.

Transactions

• June 1, 1992: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 4th round of the 1992 amateur draft. Player signed August 25, 1992.
• November 18, 1997: Drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from the Seattle Mariners as the 24th pick in the 1997 Expansion Draft.
• November 18, 1997: Traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with Brian Boehringer to the San Diego Padres for John Flaherty.
• March 29, 1999: Traded by San Diego Padres with Gus Kenned to the Anaheim Angels for Phil Nevin and Keith Volkman.
• December 21, 1999: Granted Free Agency.
• January 23, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
• October 13, 2000: Granted Free Agency.
• November 15, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
• October 9, 2001: Granted Free Agency.
• November 29, 2001: Signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis