And Sammy Says... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jobu · 11-01-2004, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Sosa tells of dismay over batting sixth

Associated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Sammy Sosa was humiliated by being dropped to sixth in the Chicago Cubs lineup, and claims he was mistreated by the club.

When he struggled down the stretch of the season, Cubs manager Dusty Baker lowered the slugger in the batting order -- much to Sosa's dismay.

"I'm not a sixth batter," Sosa told Hoy newspaper in Santo Domingo on Saturday upon returning to his native Dominican Republic. "I'm a cleanup hitter or third because I've earned that right with almost 600 career home runs."

Sosa, 35, batted .253 this season - his lowest average since 1997. In 126 games, he had 35 homers and 80 RBIs, ending his run of nine straight 100-RBI seasons.

The season ended on a sour note for Sosa and the Cubs. Chicago squandered its wild-card lead with a severe slide in the final week, and the Cubs were eliminated on the second-to-last day.

Sosa arrived late to the finale at Wrigley Field and then left the game early without playing. The Cubs fined him $87,500 - one day's salary -- because of his actions.

"I know I screwed up and I can assure you that I've asked for forgiveness," Sosa told the newspaper. "But I also need to say that I felt poorly treated.

"So many things happened that I was in shock. I needed to rest that day because I wasn't going to be able to give it my best."

Sosa has a year left on his contract that will pay him $17 million, and the club has an option for 2006. Trade rumors have already started, and the New York Mets are reportedly interested.

The former All-Star has hit 574 home runs during 16 major league seasons, and Sosa says he plans to play into his 40s.

"I'm going to play at least another five or six seasons, hitting 35 home runs a year," he said. "That would allow me to finish my career with 700 home runs."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1912995

Just take a look at some of his quotes

"I'm not a sixth batter,"

"I'm a cleanup hitter or third because I've earned that right with almost 600 career home runs."

"I know I screwed up and I can assure you that I've asked for forgiveness," Sosa told the newspaper. "But I also need to say that I felt poorly treated.

"So many things happened that I was in shock. I needed to rest that day because I wasn't going to be able to give it my best."

"I'm going to play at least another five or six seasons, hitting 35 home runs a year," he said. "That would allow me to finish my career with 700 home runs."

Someone forgot to tell Sammy that there's no "I" in TEAM.

radioguy · 11-01-2004, 04:55 PM

if he's not producing at the plate, what's wrong with hitting sixth? whinny sosa, i've never been a huge fan of his.

Jesus Malverde · 11-01-2004, 05:03 PM

Maybe his production slid because he stopped using corked bats.

Harry Cox · 11-01-2004, 05:24 PM

God, I hope the Cubs can dump him in the off-season. Getting rid of that monster salary and even bigger ego would really help that team.

Spartak · 11-01-2004, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobu

Someone forgot to tell Sammy that there's no "I" in TEAM.

Someone should tell the Cubs not to blame one person for their humorous collapse.

theusername · 11-01-2004, 07:14 PM

Actually there is, if Sammy produced as usual this year the Cubs would have been in the playoffs. Hitting .250 just doesn't cut it for a 4th hitter.

jobu · 11-01-2004, 07:47 PM

Quote:

originally posted by Spartak
Someone should tell the Cubs not to blame one person for their humorous collapse.

you are absolutely right. sammy definatley was not the reason for the cubs debacle, but he also is the reason why the cubs wont succeede. he is a selfish player and the only thing he cares about is his image.

Cross-Over · 11-01-2004, 09:06 PM

I agree with some of Sosa's comments. I think he should have kept his spot higher in the batting order, because he is a power hitter. His average was down, not the first time a good player has a bad year at the plate, but he still put up impressive power numbers for the amount of games he played.

Despite his corked bat incident, Sosa is a fan favorite. In addition, he had a string of injuries including a terrible pitch to the head. I doubt Alou, who led them to the playoffs, would have demoted him as Dusty did.

All these have to be factors, its not a cut and dry issue.

pan6467 · 11-01-2004, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Cox

God, I hope the Cubs can dump him in the off-season. Getting rid of that monster salary and even bigger ego would really help that team.

Good luck tryint to trade an overpriced over the hill selfish player.

However, if Sosa does well and the Cubbies win all will be forgiven and Chicago will say how great Sosa is.

On a side note rumor in Cleveland is that Omar is heading to the White Sox for 4 Mill a year.

Again Reinsdorf takes our has beens and overpays them for not producing. Belle, Sandy and Robbie Alomar, Lofton, and so on.....

kutulu · 11-02-2004, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobu

Someone forgot to tell Sammy that there's no "I" in TEAM.

But there is an "m" and and "e"

absorbentishe · 11-03-2004, 06:58 AM

Loved the quotes... I, I I... and so on. Gesh, get a grip, it's a fucking game. You are paid to play a game, does it really matter in the short term where you hit? Get your ego out of the way, and realize you sucked this year. Do better next year and all will be forgiven.

dylanmarsh · 11-03-2004, 08:51 AM

The Cubs definitely need to dump him if he's gonna carry himself in this fashion. Problem is, where the hell are they going to be able to send that contract? Maybe Steinbrenner will take the bait.

This looks to be one of the more interesting off-seasons in recent memory.

cardfan4269 · 11-03-2004, 04:13 PM

I hope the Cubs keep him because he sure helped the Cardinals (and Astros)win the division by his quality of play for Chicago. Say it's so Sosa!!! I can't wait for spring training!

Cowman · 11-03-2004, 04:25 PM

Of course he's saying "Im, I've" etc..he's talking about HIMSELF. The topic of conversation is HIM, not the cubs.

Jeez.

jasonresno · 11-03-2004, 07:55 PM

Cowman is right. Of course he would use "I, and me" HE IS TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF. Jesus.

Sargeman · 11-04-2004, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobu

you are absolutely right. sammy definatley was not the reason for the cubs debacle, but he also is the reason why the cubs wont succeede. he is a selfish player and the only thing he cares about is his image.

How can Sammy be the reason the cubs won't succeed? How long has it been since the cubs have succeeded?

Dano069 · 11-04-2004, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Cox

God, I hope the Cubs can dump him in the off-season. Getting rid of that monster salary and even bigger ego would really help that team.

That will NEVER happen. He, along with Wrigley Field, is a meal ticket for the Flubs, err, I mean Cubs. Sammy's always been about looking out for number 1. Sure, he hits a lot of homers, but he sucks as a fielder and his ego is out of control.

Hey Sammy, little advice babe? Lay off the frickin' curve balls you nitwit.

MikeyChalupa · 11-04-2004, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylanmarsh

Maybe Steinbrenner will take the bait.

Where would we play him? Sheffield won the AL Silver Slugger award and is a much better RF than Sosa, though this offseason it remains to be seen what surgery will do to his shoulder. You could DH Sosa and keep his crappy glove out of right but if (when) we sign Beltran that would make Bernie our DH. Unless we dump Bernie, but I don't see that happening. I'd rather pick up a starter and middle reliever, and kick Giambi to the curb.

-Mikey

dylanmarsh · 11-04-2004, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyChalupa

Where would we play him? Sheffield won the AL Silver Slugger award and is a much better RF than Sosa, though this offseason it remains to be seen what surgery will do to his shoulder. You could DH Sosa and keep his crappy glove out of right but if (when) we sign Beltran that would make Bernie our DH. Unless we dump Bernie, but I don't see that happening. I'd rather pick up a starter and middle reliever, and kick Giambi to the curb.

-Mikey

Aside from a bus to the Mexican League, DH is the only place to stick Sosa. Sosa also won't be a 3 or 4 hitter in the Yanks lineup, which he might frown upon. Just think, Mikey, you could have the all-roid team: Giambi, Sheffield, and Sosa.

The Yanks are gonna be hard pressed to get rid of that monster contract of Giambi's but stranger things have happened --- like the RED SOX WINNING THE WORLD SERIES!!! (sorry, had to get that one in there) Bernie is more moveable and I could see the Emperor dumping him for a decent starting pitcher. The one guy that I really hope does not wear pinstripes next season is JD Drew; that short porch in right would be ideal for his swing.

MikeyChalupa · 11-04-2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylanmarsh

Just think, Mikey, you could have the all-roid team: Giambi, Sheffield, and Sosa.

Yeah, just need Bonds in there too...

-Mikey

kutulu · 11-04-2004, 01:42 PM

Peopple love to blame Sammy. If he wasn't such a dick I'd feeld bad for him. However, you have to acknowledge the fact that both Prior and Wood were either injured or ineffective for most of the year. Why aren't anyone blaming them?

Harry Cox · 11-04-2004, 06:31 PM

They're not getting blamed because they were HURT. That, and the fact that they're not assholes. Sammy just played poorly all year and acted like a prima donna. It's not hard to understand.

aktornado · 11-04-2004, 07:58 PM

I used to stick up for Sammy, being a Cubs fan. But he's certainly fallen out of favor in Chicago. It's amazing how quickly fans will turn on you when you start underpreforming. Or perhaps even more amazing how people (myself included) will stick up for a jerk if they're skills back up their attitude.

I'll be happy to see him go at this point.

11-01-2004, 05:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jesus Malverde Psycho Location: Sinaloa, Mexico	Maybe his production slid because he stopped using corked bats. __________________ ...I'm that cat by the bar toasting to the good life...

11-01-2004, 07:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
theusername Insane	Actually there is, if Sammy produced as usual this year the Cubs would have been in the playoffs. Hitting .250 just doesn't cut it for a 4th hitter. __________________ ?

11-03-2004, 04:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
Cowman Psycho	Of course he's saying "Im, I've" etc..he's talking about HIMSELF. The topic of conversation is HIM, not the cubs. Jeez. __________________ You don't like my point of view..but im insane

11-01-2004, 04:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	if he's not producing at the plate, what's wrong with hitting sixth? whinny sosa, i've never been a huge fan of his.

11-01-2004, 05:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Harry Cox Insane	God, I hope the Cubs can dump him in the off-season. Getting rid of that monster salary and even bigger ego would really help that team.

11-01-2004, 09:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cross-Over Psycho	I agree with some of Sosa's comments. I think he should have kept his spot higher in the batting order, because he is a power hitter. His average was down, not the first time a good player has a bad year at the plate, but he still put up impressive power numbers for the amount of games he played. Despite his corked bat incident, Sosa is a fan favorite. In addition, he had a string of injuries including a terrible pitch to the head. I doubt Alou, who led them to the playoffs, would have demoted him as Dusty did. All these have to be factors, its not a cut and dry issue.

11-03-2004, 06:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	Loved the quotes... I, I I... and so on. Gesh, get a grip, it's a fucking game. You are paid to play a game, does it really matter in the short term where you hit? Get your ego out of the way, and realize you sucked this year. Do better next year and all will be forgiven.

11-03-2004, 08:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
dylanmarsh Sleepy Head	The Cubs definitely need to dump him if he's gonna carry himself in this fashion. Problem is, where the hell are they going to be able to send that contract? Maybe Steinbrenner will take the bait. This looks to be one of the more interesting off-seasons in recent memory.

11-03-2004, 04:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
cardfan4269 Upright Location: St Louis	I hope the Cubs keep him because he sure helped the Cardinals (and Astros)win the division by his quality of play for Chicago. Say it's so Sosa!!! I can't wait for spring training!

11-03-2004, 07:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
jasonresno Banned	Cowman is right. Of course he would use "I, and me" HE IS TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF. Jesus.

11-04-2004, 01:42 PM	#21 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	Peopple love to blame Sammy. If he wasn't such a dick I'd feeld bad for him. However, you have to acknowledge the fact that both Prior and Wood were either injured or ineffective for most of the year. Why aren't anyone blaming them?

11-04-2004, 06:31 PM	#22 (permalink)
Harry Cox Insane	They're not getting blamed because they were HURT. That, and the fact that they're not assholes. Sammy just played poorly all year and acted like a prima donna. It's not hard to understand.

11-04-2004, 07:58 PM	#23 (permalink)
aktornado Tilted	I used to stick up for Sammy, being a Cubs fan. But he's certainly fallen out of favor in Chicago. It's amazing how quickly fans will turn on you when you start underpreforming. Or perhaps even more amazing how people (myself included) will stick up for a jerk if they're skills back up their attitude. I'll be happy to see him go at this point.