“Never, ever, did I cheat the game” - MLB legend Gary Sheffield draws the line on Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens PED comparisons

Throughout the course of his 22-year MLB career, Gary Sheffield has compiled a respectable resume for himself that ultimately garnered him a Hall of Fame nomination. Sheffield was selected to nine All-Star teams, was a five-time Silver Slugger, an National League batting champion, and a World Series champion with the Marlins in 1997.

Known for his unfiltered and intense approach to the game, many were shocked when he was implicated in the BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative) steroid and PED scandal that exploded in the early 2000s. Sheffield's name was involved with fellow star slugger Barry Bonds during the time. However, the Florida-native has maintained his innocence and distanced himself from the matter.

“I played this game clean, and was proud that I played it clean. Never, ever, did I cheat the game, and I’m proud of that," said Sheffield.

In an article that was released by MLB insider Bob Nightengale on USA Today on December 4, 2025, the 57-year-old expressed his dismay about being lumped together with the likes of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens who both were curtailed with PED use.

“People associate my name with theirs, and that’s not right. I don’t know who did what, but I’m nothing like the guys that are guilty. I can promise you that."

It can be recalled that the multi-time All-Star's name was mentioned in the Mitchell Report, a document pertaining to an investigation that was led by former US Senator George J. Mitchell regarding the use of anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs by major leaguers.

“BALCO had nothing to do with me. I didn’t stay because I had a falling out with Barry and didn’t like the people hanging around him. So I went home. I was never accused of anything. I went to court as a witness to testify what I knew about Barry and BALCO. I was never a suspect."

Gary Sheffield expresses regret over All-Star cousin's tragic downfall

On the same interview with Bob Nightengale that was published on USA Today, Gary Sheffield shared his regret about a family member not being able to reach Cooperstown. He was, of course, talking about his cousin Dwight Gooden who was one of the best pitchers of his generation.

The former Yankees star bared that Gooden's father, Dan, dreamed of the duo starring for the Bombers and reaching Cooperstown.

“He always hoped that Dwight and I would play on the same team one day. He had a great relationship with (former Yankees owner) George Steinbrenner, and was hoping that we would be drafted by the Yankees. And his dream was that one day we would both be in the Hall of Fame."

However, this didn't come into fruition as the younger Gooden encountered several issues post-playing days that were mostly related to drug addiction.

“I saw my uncle go through that and the pain he caused for the family. Imagine the pain of watching my uncle, who was really like my big brother, going through that my entire 22-year career. It still hurts to this day."

Fortunately for Sheffield, he still has the chance to be inducted into the Hall as a part of the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot.