Spring Break
Taking a look back at Sammy Sosa
Kevin White
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Opinion
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Still more pundits point to his sharp decline after 2003 (in which he hit 40 homers) as evidence that steroids testing may have forced him to quit shooting up and therefore lose his edge. While this argument isn't totally ridiculous, historical comparisons prove that ages 35 and 36 (Sosa's last two seasons) are some of the most common years for sudden drop-off. Two-time MVP Dale Murphy appeared to be in fine shape at age 34, hitting 24 homers and decent at age 35, hitting 18 homers, but at age 36 he hit .161 with two homers and retired the following season. First-ballot Hall of Famer Mel Ott hit only one homer after age 36 despite compiling 510 before and fellow immortal Mickey Mantle also tanked at ages 35 and 36. The Mick hit .240 with 40 home runs for those two years combined before retiring outright. By the way, Sosa hit 49 homers and averaged around .230 during his two final seasons.
Outside of performance, many speculate Sammy's good-guy image was just that and his corked-bat incident and last year's Congressional hearings shattered whatever illusions remained.
Though Sammy's rapport with his teammates varied (some loved him, some not so much), his record of philanthropy toward his native Dominican Republic (built schools, baseball academies, provided huge amounts of relief after a major hurricane) and his penchant for signing autographs should at least show his heart was in the right place overall.
Furthermore, for those who scoffed at his use of an interpreter during the Congressional hearings after having heard his post-game quips and interviews spoken in English for so long, I offer a simple explanation. Though he could speak English, no one would possibly mistake his comprehension for fluency and in a hearing where the slightest verbal slip could cause massive suspicion, he was simply being safe. By preparing answers and having a well-spoken interpreter by his side, he could avoid accidentally saying anything incriminating even if his own intentions in speech were far from that.
For the record, Sosa's denial of ever having used illegal substances (not just steroids!) is the only such denial to have stood up thus far. Rafael Palmeiro was exposed a few months later, and McGwire skirted the questions in a less-than-convincing manner, almost assuring an implication of guilt.
I'm not saying Sosa is a saint, but the proof is as far away from pinning a pitchfork on him as can be.
Outside of performance, many speculate Sammy's good-guy image was just that and his corked-bat incident and last year's Congressional hearings shattered whatever illusions remained.
Though Sammy's rapport with his teammates varied (some loved him, some not so much), his record of philanthropy toward his native Dominican Republic (built schools, baseball academies, provided huge amounts of relief after a major hurricane) and his penchant for signing autographs should at least show his heart was in the right place overall.
Furthermore, for those who scoffed at his use of an interpreter during the Congressional hearings after having heard his post-game quips and interviews spoken in English for so long, I offer a simple explanation. Though he could speak English, no one would possibly mistake his comprehension for fluency and in a hearing where the slightest verbal slip could cause massive suspicion, he was simply being safe. By preparing answers and having a well-spoken interpreter by his side, he could avoid accidentally saying anything incriminating even if his own intentions in speech were far from that.
For the record, Sosa's denial of ever having used illegal substances (not just steroids!) is the only such denial to have stood up thus far. Rafael Palmeiro was exposed a few months later, and McGwire skirted the questions in a less-than-convincing manner, almost assuring an implication of guilt.
I'm not saying Sosa is a saint, but the proof is as far away from pinning a pitchfork on him as can be.
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