Not being privy to the goings on in and around the Yankees like Sheffield was, who are we to say he's right or wrong? Had a white player said the same things, he'd be treated much different. By some he would be harshly criticized, by others praised for his candor, and by others still, called an idiot.
To have said it, Sheffield must have seen or heard things that none of us are aware of. The same holds true if any other player, regardless of skin color or race, if they were to make the same claim. For anyone to be critical of what Sheffield said seems just as idiotic as those who are calling him the idiot for having made the claim in the first place.
Gary Sheffield is more aware of what goes on in regards to the Yankees than anyone in this forum, he's also more aware of how certain players are treated differently because of how they are perceived.
Will I ever be critical of Sheffield's statements? Hell no, I'll praise him for having the balls to say what's on his mind.