Say it is Sosa

Another day, another of the 103 names from the "anonymous" test in 2003. At this point, the media would make a bigger splash releasing the names of 650 plus players that didn't test positive for performance enhancing drugs.

Somehow I feel like Jose Canseco has the entire list & is blackmailing MLB via phone. "Hey Bud Selig...it's me Jose Canseco. I have the list of the 103 players that tested positive in my hands." "I want $100,000,000 & admission into the Hall of Fame." "If you fail to meet my demands, I will leak the list one name at a time." "I have some juicy names Bud...don't make me do it"

The latest leaked name was Samuel Peralta Sosa. But was this really a shock? The real surprise came when he announced his retirement and proclaimed, "I always played with love and responsibility and I assure you that I will not answer nor listen to rumors. If anything ugly comes up in the future, we will confront it immediately, but with all our strength because I will not allow anybody to tarnish what I did in the field." Sammy as you all remember didn't answer questions in front of Congress, why set new precedent now would be my question. Sosa was a real "hero" to the Dominican people. And because of my heritage (Dominican), this is somewhat difficult to write. But Sosa was among the most fraudulent players to ever play in baseball. His phony smile, his kisses towards the camera, his annoying hop, his false enthusiasm as he ran out to RF in Wrigley...& we all ate it up. Lovable? maybe to the droves of groupies on the road. But I digress...Sammy even bought into his own hype, knowing his numbers weren't on the level, he sat out the 2006 season because "he was too proud to take a minor league deal" after a season in which he slugged a paltry .376. It was apparent to everyone, he was the Sosa of old. The real Sosa.

The book on Sosa before the 98 season was free-swinger lacking plate discipline that struck out way too often. At the end of the 97 season he had an OPS of .779, nothing to write home about. The very next year he won the MVP & his OPS EXPLODED above the 1.000 mark the 4 seasons after 97. Those are the type of stats, that will get you on Pepsi commercials. Of his 609 HR Sosa hit 336 after the age 30. Despite his increase in HR, Sosa actually struck out at the same rate from 89-97 as he did in 98-07 (23% of the times). So how did he become a "better" hitter without progressing as a hitter? A better question is how much more "evidence" is needed before you believe what every other expert in the game knew? I'm in the court of public opinion so I don't need much. & if the judicial system can convict a person of murder without a body, I can certainly convict Sosa of juicing, with this circumstantial evidence.

In his retirement speech Sammy arrogantly said, "I will calmly wait for my induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Don't I have the numbers to be inducted?" Wait you will Sammy...& wait & wait. To answer your question Sam...yes you do. You do indeed have "the numbers". What you don't have is the integrity. & before 1998, you didn't have the talent. Luckily for you Sammy, you might not need either to be eventually inducted.