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TAMPA - According to Gary Sheffield, "Game of Shadows" has incorrect information in it.
The bombshell book that details Barry Bonds' steroid use goes on sale today, and readers will find accusations against Sheffield that he used injectable testosterone and human growth hormone in January 2002.
Asked yesterday at Legends Field before a game against the Red Sox if he used HGH, Sheffield stared straight ahead and said, "Nope."
When points of the book were brought up, Sheffield repeatedly said, "Great, great, great," and "Anything else?"
The book by San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams reports that Sheffield wanted to continue a relationship with Greg Anderson, Bonds' trainer, after the relationship between Bonds and Sheffield soured. Bonds told Anderson he would pay him $100,000 to not work with Sheffield.
In December 2003, Sheffield, who played for the Braves in 2002 and '03, testified to the BALCO grand jury that he unknowingly used designer steroids Clear and Cream. Neither are injectable like testosterone and HGH.
Sheffield, asked if he would prepare a lawsuit against the authors, quickly dismissed the idea.
"What can I do?" Sheffield said. "I am not going to defend myself my whole life. That's what you want; it really doesn't matter to me. It doesn't matter one thing to me. I have been over that and moved on to another place."
Pressed about the book, Sheffield said, "I don't have to say anything else about it. I don't need to."
As for his relationship with Bonds, Sheffield said that was between him and Bonds.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't stop what goes on with my life, and Barry," said Sheffield, a former workout partner of Bonds.
Sheffield, who signed with the Yankees on Dec. 17, 2003, has long tired of being asked about steroids every time the subject is broached in different areas.
"But that's the way society is," Sheffield said. "I don't regret anything; it's what it is."
Joe Torre said he hasn't probed into Sheffield's private life because he doesn't believe that's a manager's role unless the player comes to him to discuss it.
"I stay out of their private life," Torre said. "I will listen but won't delve. I have never asked him or any other player."
As for the Sheffield-Bonds relationship, Torre said, "They spent some time, that's not unusual."
Like everything else Sheffield has been involved in during his first two seasons as a Yankee, Torre predicted Sheffield's mental toughness would carry him through whatever fallout "Game of Shadows" brings.
"He is very tough," Torre said. "He has had a lot of things to deal with on and off the field, but he has been able to put it aside. But it certainly can't be fun for him."
GM Brian Cashman said he wouldn't read "Game of Shadows." Asked if Sheffield was steroid-free as a Yankee, Cashman said, "We have a testing program, that should speak to it."
It's been an eventful spring for Sheffield. Early in camp, Cashman told Sheffield the club was leaning toward picking up next year's contract option for $13 million.
A week later, Sheffield spoke out about the option not being picked up. That led to a meeting with Cashman, and last weekend Sheffield said he never has felt comfortable as a Yankee.
Yesterday, Dwight Gooden, Sheffield's uncle, was given an April 5 court date to face sentencing for failing a drug test last week and violating his probation. Gooden faces up to five years in jail.
george.king@nypost.com
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