Sammy Sosa Wants To Hit 700 Home Runs

Posted Feb 26, 2007 4:46PM By PostmanR (RSS feed)

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Oh, boy. I can't wait to see how this one plays out.

And he clearly believes in the veracity of his numbers. In his opinion, anyone with 500 home runs should be in a "special place," mindful that he could join McGwire in Hall of Fame purgatory after voters soundly rejected the first baseman on his first year on the ballot.

That makes it easy to conclude that Sosa is simply coming back to hit 12 home runs, giving him 600, strengthening his case for immortality. Wrong, he pleaded with genuine passion.

"Why would I come back for 12 more home runs. Why? I want 700 home runs," said Sosa, the most blatant hint that he plans to play beyond this year if his bat speed allows. "I am greedy."

Um, OK, Sammy. You hit .221 with 14 home runs your last season with the Orioles. You didn't play at all last year. Not to mention, you only have a minor-league deal with the Rangers. And you think you're going to waltz back into the league and hit another 112 home runs at 38 years of age?

At times like these, I sometimes feel sorry for an athlete like this - one that was on top of his profession some years back, still clinging to some manifestation of hope that he can still dominate or contribute to a team with any sort of frequency.

But, this is Sammy Sosa. And well, I just can't get behind him at all.

Sidenote: That is one tool-ish photo of Sammy. But aren't they all?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-26-2007 @ 5:21PM

Jay said...

No hard feelings but you used up all your juice with the Cubs on home runs. Man, I used to watch you in the home run derby's. The 1998 Home Run Derby was the best. When you hit the ball it bounces off like flubber and is never seen again. I would be shock if you hit 35 home runs let alone 45. To us your a Cub for life, and that is the team I have seen you play for. First, try to make it to the All Star Game then we can see about 700 HOME RUNS. My most beloved fan, Jay Lee

2-26-2007 @ 7:46PM

Tom said...

Heck sammy will probably hit 800 homeruns. Texas stadium is a homer kingdom and Sammy is the king.
I wish the Cubs would sign him back

2-26-2007 @ 8:35PM

rob said...

good article...however you need to be a little more balanced in it.....the first part was fine....however all we want is the news....we don't care how much you don't like sammy, but keep the news as news....I don't want your opinion it(ie. " Um ok Sammy" and "At times like these, I sometimes feel sorry for an athlete like this - one that was on top of his profession some years back") As a reader I don't care if you feel "sorry" for athletes like this...deliver the news(which were his comments of hitting 700 homers) and leave it at that, it doesn't matter what you me or the next person thinks. Not to tell you how to write but if your going to write for the public to see in sports news, as a reader i would rather hear an objective statement(such as his comments) rather than a subjective statement about how you feel about him...thanks

2-26-2007 @ 10:10PM

George Messler said...

Give the guy a chance, He was 16 when he signed with Texes, he was skinny, now he is 38 and 225 pounds, whats the big deal? Did he do steroids? who knows? Only he knows? The reason some people make it an issue is becasue Sammy seems to be stuck on himself. If any thinking person studdies Sammy or any sports figure who is dominican, they will realize that in learning English, they use the word "I" alot. Well, for God sakes, that doesn't mean he is Evil. And as for those who critisize Sammy for bringing an interpreter to Congress, come on man, he is not fluent in English, Remember, "Baseball Been Very Good To Me". The way you people twist things that people say, I dont blame him for bringing an interpreter, could you imagine if he slipped and said one thing and meant another. Sports reporters are bad enough, political reporters would have chewed him up and spit him out, not that most of you havent already. The facts are, nothing has been proven with the steroid issue, he is guily by association, He played during the time of steroid use by pitchers and hitters.
Picture this, your working long hours at work and you get home late every night, and your spouse accuses you of cheating, she knows your cheating, You know your not, you have really been working, She tells you "Prove that your not Cheating" Can you prove it? Come on people, give this guy a break> Let him play the game he loves with out the stupid politics. If he tests positive for steroids, kick him off the team. If he does not, than shut up and let him play. Or keep up the accusations and let history decide in the end that all you Hypocrits are really the spouse who always accuses there spouse of cheating, even if there not. And that the only reason you do this is to hear your own voice or see your own words in print, because the truly arrogant ones are you. geomessler

2-26-2007 @ 10:14PM

juan said...

I think sammy still has what it takes to hit at least 70 home runs and who knows with the right condition he might hit 100

2-26-2007 @ 11:46PM

Mark said...

If he is gonna get to 700 big ones than he will need his little old helper steroids!! It's over Sammy! Chase your dream of nothing! Go hang out with Big Mac!!

2-27-2007 @ 12:19AM

wildman2 said...

I agree 100% with George (post 4)Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty??

2-27-2007 @ 12:35AM

George B Vieto said...

Sammy Sosa has good goals in mind playing baseball. About his use of steroids unless there is proof beyond reasonable doubt then he is innocent. Good luck in making the Rangers team.

2-27-2007 @ 1:46AM

Lakergregg said...

When Sammy decided to have selective english speaking skills it was officially over.
What are the odds that this putz burns hot on a roids test at some point this season?
If he makes the team.

2-27-2007 @ 9:19AM

Steve H said...

There is a time to give it up...sorry to say it, but let it go...

2-27-2007 @ 10:23AM

Ron said...

First, I think the year off probably did him some good. He got time to have all his lingering injuries heal and didn't have to deal with the media scrutiny that would have surely followed him all season. Now let's look at the numbers. First, Sammy turned 38 (not 39) in November. Since Barry Bonds turned 38, he has hit 139 home runs...so is it out of the realm of possibility that Sammy couldn't hit 112? Also, Barry hits one out every 13 ABs over his career. Sammy hits one out every 14.28 ABs over his career. Seems to me IF he makes the team and IF he stays healthy, he's got a chance. Of course I also think it doesn't really matter, because A-Rod has the best chance right now to set the ultimate mark. Barry may break it first, but not by much. He won't play another season, and he might not break it at all if he gets indicted. A-Rod on the other hand, has 464 HRs and will turn 32 this July. That's right, only 32. So if he plays another 10 years and duplicates his HR total from last year every year...he'll have another 350 HRs, for a total of 814 at age 42...or Barry's current age. Pujols is a possibility, but he turned 27 this January and only (only) has 250 HRs. So if he hits 35 a year for the next 15 years to reach age 42, he'll have 775 HRs....but so far he averages 42 a year. So we'll just have to wait and see. Call me in 2017 and 2022 and we'll talk.

2-27-2007 @ 10:27AM

Russell said...

I believe Sammy will have an exceptional year. The issue of steroids dosen't matter, what matters is whether or not he still posesses the bat speed. Steroids dosen't make up for raw talent it only enhances it, Sammys' got the raw talent,and now he has a whole new motivation to stoke his fire. All the doubters and accusers. Go Sammy Go Rangers,hitting is contagious!

3-02-2007 @ 2:04AM

F0N3 said...

I think Sammy being signed at sixteen is a testament to his talent. And judging by his strikeout totals per year, if Sammy were more selective he would already be past 800 homeruns. Steroid this steroid that, I bet everyone accusing Sammy is a McGwire fan letdown by the reality of what transpired that magical season. LOL. Sammy Sosa will only be as good as the protection he gets in the lineup.

3-07-2007 @ 5:38PM

Bryan said...

Unfortunatly, Sammy hasn't been the same batter since he got his batting broken by a pitch a few years back. It went down hill from there, including the corked bat and the steriod allegations. Sadly or fortunatly, I've been a CUBS fan since the 60'S. If there is one thing CUB fans and CUB PLAYER'S know. THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR AND ANOTHER TEAM.

3-07-2007 @ 8:11PM

steve said...

Sammy please break 600 hrs or even 700,,I have 25 cases of 1990 upper deck baseball cards,,I am rooting for you.
LOL Anyway you are a fun player to watch.