Highlights
Sammy Sosa not only was a Chicago icon for 15 years, he dined with kings and presidents after electrifying and rejuvenating baseball with a home run barrage in 1998. Joining the White Sox in 1990 as a skinny prospect after a trade from Texas, a bulging Sosa was shipped out in disgrace by the Cubs following a 2004 season in which he left the final game early. But in between, Sosa was a towering figure, as popular at Wrigley Field as any player in history. Bleacher fans would respectfully salute him he sprinted to his position in right field and demand a curtain call after each home run, always followed by a heart tap, a kiss and gesture toward the heavens. Sosa became the first player to hit...
Sammy Sosa not only was a Chicago icon for 15 years, he dined with kings and presidents after electrifying and rejuvenating baseball with a home run barrage in 1998. Joining the White Sox in 1990 as a skinny prospect after a trade from Texas, a bulging Sosa was shipped out in disgrace by the Cubs following a 2004 season in which he left the final game early. But in between, Sosa was a towering figure, as popular at Wrigley Field as any player in history. Bleacher fans would respectfully salute him he sprinted to his position in right field and demand a curtain call after each home run, always followed by a heart tap, a kiss and gesture toward the heavens. Sosa became the first player to hit 60 home runs in three different seasons, although he never led the league in any of them. In 1998, when he was MVP, he lost the historic home run battle to St. Louis' Mark McGwire (70-66) as both surpassed Roger Maris' record of 61 set in 1961. In 2001, he finished behind Barry Bonds, who broke McGwire's record with 73 homers. McGwire, Bonds and Sosa all are alleged to have used performance-enhancing substances during those homer-happy seasons. McGwire and Sosa were among the players who testified before a Senate committee investigating drugs in baseball and Sosa denied using them. In fact, he kept a bottle of Flintstone vitamins in his locker at Wrigley Field, smiling and pointing to them when allegations first surfaced. His career in Chicago began to spiral downward in 2003. He spent time on the disabled list that season and was hit in the head by a pitch that cracked his helmet. Then on June 3, Sosa was caught using a corked bat and suspended for seven games. Other bats he had given to the Hall of Fame were X-rayed but none was found to contain cork. In 2004, his last in Chicago, he also was on the disabled list after straining his back after sneezing while talking to reporters. He was dealt to Baltimore following the season after the Cubs claimed security cameras caught him leaving the season's last game early.
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Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez approaching 2 weeks in his quest for 600 career homers
AP Sports WriterThe numbers on the specially marked balls for Alex Rodriguez's at-bats must be getting up there — perhaps, uhm, close to say 600. The Yankees slugger's quest — and by now it is one — for membership in the exclusive 600-homer club...Tags: Joe Girardi, Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron, Sports, Babe Ruth
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Mark McGwire Admits Using Steroids When Breaking HR Record
Staff reporterMark McGwire finally came clean, admitting he used steroids when he broke baseball's home run record in 1998. McGwire said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade. "It's very emotional,...Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Spring Training, Government, St. Louis Cardinals, All Stars
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Sammy Sosa's New Look
Staff reporterIf you just happen to overhear a conversation about retired baseball slugger, Sammy Sosa being "beyond the pale," they may no longer be referring to allegations of steroid abuse, or his antics on the baseball diamond, back in the day. Photos taken...Tags: Entertainment, Celebrities and Bad Behavior, Sports, Baseball, Michael Jackson
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Maldición de los Marlins atormenta a Pujols
A finales del año pasado, tres meses antes del inicio de la temporada 2012 del béisbol de Grandes Ligas, pronostiqué miserias para Albert Pujols y sus Angelinos de Los Angeles.
Hasta ahora no me he equivocado, y me sorprende lo "sorprendido" que...Tags: Yunel Escobar, Magic Johnson, Chauncey Billups, Adidas AG, Citi Field
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Befitting career, Wood leaves lasting memories
Having covered Kerry Wood's first and last pitches in the majors and chronicled his best and worst moments — in simulated games, Cactus League games and playoffs games, through elbow, shoulder, knee, back, blister and hot tub injuries — I'm...
Tags: Personal Service, Scott Servais, Lou Piniella, Radio Industry, Ron Santo
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Rogers: Cubs' Wood smart enough to call it a day
Good call by Kid K. Kerry Wood is getting it right with his decision to retire, whether that happens later today or at some point this weekend. He’s ridden his troublesome right arm to the very end of the trail and is smart enough to call it a day....
Tags: Dusty Baker, Kerry Wood, Sports, Baseball, Mike Quade
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Your Morning Phil: LaHair, draft, Sale
Tribune reporterTalking baseball while crossing my fingers that the NCAA gives us a college football playoff system, even if it’s only a four-team format: 1. Got a great email from a reader about the decision to postpone naming the annual All-City baseball team...Tags: Chris Sale, Matt Kemp, College Baseball, Javier Baez , Jason McLeod
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Who might want Kane traded? Only everyone
The Blackhawks have said nothing about Patrick Kane’s latest photo spread. Do they care what their highest-profile player does? Do they care that their ticket-buyers might have questions? It has been over a week since Deadspin shared these shots...
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, Stan Bowman, United Center, Sports, Stanley Cup Playoffs
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Dempster says Cubs closer needs to pitch more
CINCINNATI — The Cubs had only five save opportunities in the month of April, the second fewest in the majors behind the Padres' four chances. The lack of ninth inning opportunities hasn't been beneficial to Carlos Marmol, who has converted only...
Tags: Bryan LaHair, Carlos Marmol, Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres
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FONTENOT ADDED TO ROSTER; THURSTON RELEASED ...
The Hog BlogJoe Thurston became the first victim of the Phillies infield shuffle. The Phillies released Thurston Monday to make room on the roster for utility infielder Mike Fontenot, who had been in extended spring training since signing as a minor league free agent... -
Brand still proud of 1st team
— Elton Brand remembers the frequent trips to Rush Street and late-night dinners at Gibsons alongside former teammate Randy Brown. He remembers the times spent relaxing inside his Lake Point Tower condo near Navy Pier. "Had a great view,'' Brand...
Tags: Brian Skinner, National Basketball Association, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry
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Kecoughtan has bad luck, weird streak with injuries
Wade Boggs once sprained his back putting on a pair of cowboy boots. Nolan Ryan missed a start after he was bitten by a coyote, Sammy Sosa sneezed so hard it gave him back spasms, and John Smoltz burned his chest while ironing a shirt — which he was...Tags: Stranger Than Fiction, College Sports, Softball, Sports, Baseball
Aug 3, 2010
|Story| WPIX-LTV
Jan 11, 2010
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Nov 8, 2009
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May 24, 2012
|Column| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 19, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 18, 2012
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May 17, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 14, 2012
|Column| Chicago Tribune
May 1, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Apr 23, 2012
| Allentown Morning Call
May 3, 2012
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Mar 14, 2012
|Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
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