I never thought I’d say this, but I’m ashamed to be a Sammy Sosa fan.
Sosa’s 2004 season was one of struggle. The 35-year-old missed 36 games with various injuries, including back spasms caused by a violent sneeze. He posted his lowest batting average (.253) in seven years and lowest home run (35) and RBI (80) totals since 1994.
A lack of production from the aging superstar is forgivable. There are plenty of major leaguers who would love to hit 35 dingers in a season. What Sosa did last Sunday, however, is anything but excusable.
With Chicago already eliminated from playoff contention after losing seven of its last eight games, the Cubs still had to play a meaningless home game against Atlanta to finish the season.
Slammin’ Sammy showed up late to Wrigley Field, claimed to be ill, and instead of riding the season’s final game out with his teammates on the bench, left the park early without permission from Cubs general manager Jim Hendry or manager Dusty Baker.
To make things worse, Sosa, who claimed to have left the park during the seventh inning, was caught by parking lot security cameras leaving 15 minutes after the first pitch.
Sosa has always claimed to be a “gladiator.” A team leader who is capable of carrying the city of Chicago on his back.
What kind of a leader bails out on his troops? And what kind of a self-respecting ball player skips out on a day of work when he is paid roughly $105,000 per game?
Yes, $105,000 per game. That’s roughly $26,250 per at-bat and nearly $17 million for the season.
This could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Sosa has worn out his welcome in Chicago. The once-lovable character who, along with Mark McGwire, “saved” baseball during the 1998 season with his pursuit of Roger Maris’ home-run record, has become a clubhouse nuisance.
Sosa carries with him a sensitive ego that was tested on several occasions this season. A god-like figure for many years in Chicago, the Cubbie boo-birds ripped into the future hall-of-famer for his repeated failures to hit with runners in scoring position. Sosa quickly took on a “me against the world” attitude that seemed to be embraced by the rest of the Cub players as well.
Sosa went so far as to lash out at Baker, who pointed out that the broken-down slugger needs to work harder during the offseason and come back in top form for 2005.
“I’m tired of being blamed by Dusty Baker for all the failures of this club,” Sosa said. “I resent the inference that I’m not prepared. I live my life every minute every day to prepare for combat.”
First of all, Baker did nothing but stick up for Sosa’s shortcomings all season. Second, a
player who spends that much time preparing himself for the season shouldn’t miss 36 games with nagging injuries. And third, where was Sgt. Sosa when the Cubs were wrapping up their season?
With Sosa due $17 million next season, it’s likely the Cubs will try to trade the once-untouchable superstar in an attempt to move forward with their pursuit of a World Series championship. If the Cubs do trade Sosa, however, a clause in his contract will guarantee him another $18 million in 2006. While $35 million for two seasons would be a spendy investment for a home-run-hitter in decline, Sosa’s marketability is bound to be enough to lure a team into taking on most, if not all, of his giant contract.
While it’s hard to fathom Sosa playing for someone other than my beloved Cubbies, the time has come for the two to part ways. The North Siders are no longer lovable losers, but a team with great starting pitching, capable of competing for a spot in the postseason. Accepting defeat as long as Sosa hits a meaningless, late-inning homer is no longer an option.
Sosa’s departure is one of several things that needs to happen in order for the Cubs to make a run at the 2005 World Series.
I never thought this day would come.
I’m ashamed to be a Sammy Sosa fan.

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