Gary Sheffield: Always A Tiger

PR Departments, just like Boy Scouts, should always be prepared. At the end of last season, Gary Sheffield was closing in on 500 home runs. As he got closer to the milestone, we had preparations in place just in case he reached 500 during the final homestand of 2008. Eagle-eyed fans would have noticed a rolled-up banner hanging off the left-field scoreboard ready to be unfurled, and our promotions staff had a congratulatory video from the other active members of the 500HR club ready to go. The centerpiece of the celebration was a crystal trophy created as a gift for Gary from the Tigers to mark the occasion. Well, change happens quickly in baseball and Gary recently joined the 500 Home Run Club as a member of the New York Mets. Last week, Detroit Tigers Vice President, Baseball Legal Counsel presented Gary with his gift from the Tigers.