"Sosa Uncensored" (Safe for Work)

[UMFan83]

In case anyone was interested and can't get Comcast, I tried to recap it. So far not much interesting has been said.

 

-Time away has been satisfying. No stress....can be relaxed. Feels that he needed that

-Went to Vegas, SF, LA, Hawaii, Japan, Tawan, South Korea, Argentina, Europe, Brazil. Done a lot of traveling. A lot of fun.

-BEing with family is the best part of his time off. For the first time he feels like a father because he can do those little things with the family,Feels blessed and has matured.

 

Past:

-Never was himself in Baltimore. Was hurt a lot, but his performance wasn't what was expected of him.

-Having poor season made him feel like he needed a break from baseball.

-Money wasn't issue for not taking Nats offer, he just felt like he needed a break.

-Now feels great, feels like he hasn't missed anything.

-Has a lot of come back to. Wants to come back for the fans.

 

More coming up after the commercial

Edited November 15, 2006 by UMFan83

[UMFan83]

Notes are a little jumbled because he's hard to understand at some points, and its hard to pickup what is important in what he's saying.

 

Departure from Chicago:

-He misses the fans, they were there for him all the time

-He thinks hes the greatest Cub of all time "If theres another one (better), I want ot shake his hand"

-What I did in Chicago was try to make the people happy

-If they don't want to forgive me thats fine, but thats what I did for Chicago

-"If someone is going to be like me, I don't think so"

-Found out his name was not on Hometown Heros list. Fans didn't vote for players on list. Fans would have voted for him if he was on the list

-You have to take responsibility for leaving early. He didn't think it was going to cause trouble. But when it happened, and everything blew up, he realized how bad it was

-He got permission from Dusty and Dusty said "Just fine"

-Cubs made it worse and blew up the story

-Time heals everything, just wnats the Cubs to let it go and mend the relationship

-They have to blame somoene, and he was that person that they had to blame

-They made a big deal out of a little thing, its over though and you have to move on.

-Holds no hard feelings and wishes the Cubs well

-Believes at that point it was time for him to leave Chicago and move on

-Praises Lou Piniella, who knows how to get the best from his players, believes he will do a great job.

-Gail Fischer calls Sosa a 'latin king'

-Ozzie is a great manager, he is his 'boy'

-Does not replace Sosa as the Latin King of Chicago because hes a manager not a player (what an ego)

-Rooted for the White Sox to win the World Series, thought it was awesome, especially for Ozzie

-If Sammy played for Ozzie, they'd be fighting every day (jokingly), Ozzie is not afriad to tell you the truth and knows how to deal with players

-Regrets never having a world series ring, says it was very tough that he was so close in 2003, relives the moment a lot. Does not want to criticize anyone for what happened in 2003, but it still eats at him, really really really still kills him he emphasizes

-Says his biggest regret in his career would be never winning the World Series....it goes on and on

 

-No direct shots at Dusty, but pretty much hinted at it. Lou means the Cubs have a 'respectable manager now' and also said that the Sox didn't bring in minor league replacement for Manuel (supposed to be a jab at Bruce Kimm)

[Andy]

I wanted to watch this, but I'm starting to be glad I forgot to.

[Roast]

I love Sammy

 

/obligitory roast post.

[bhogg]

Sammy could spend the rest of his life shaking better Cub hands.

 

I be he thinks he's a pretty man, too.

[UMFan83]

He came across as really egotistical to me, but that could be because I twisted his words to seem that way.

 

Overall though, honestly I think he's gonna end up being like Ernie Banks and Billy Williams as Cub ambassadors. I think once the Cubs and Sosa mend ways (and they will because Sosa is willing and actively campaigning...more then Gracie ever did), he will be that figurehead of the 90's Cubs....partly because Sosa loves the spotlight, and will realize that this is the best way to remain in it.

[Abe Frohman]

What a shame.

 

Sosa needs medication and a good doctor. I hate this. It really is all about Sammy.

 

Sheesh.

[WrigleyField 22]

I wish this whole thing (the Cubs releasing the tape, Sammy leaving etc) just would have never happened. Both the Cubs, Sammy, and the fans would be better off.

[sweetpeteman]

He came across as really egotistical to me, but that could be because I twisted his words to seem that way.

 

Overall though, honestly I think he's gonna end up being like Ernie Banks and Billy Williams as Cub ambassadors. I think once the Cubs and Sosa mend ways (and they will because Sosa is willing and actively campaigning...more then Gracie ever did), he will be that figurehead of the 90's Cubs....partly because Sosa loves the spotlight, and will realize that this is the best way to remain in it.

 

I think that when Hendry gets fired or leaves, Sosa and whoever replaces him will make up and be friendly.

[BeerHere]

What he did in a Cubs uniform is an afterthought for me at this point.

 

Is it me, or does it seem like every fan favorite that leaves the Cubs does so in a similar "bitter" manner? Sammy, Grace, Stony, Brickhouse, others? Why can't people just leave without the need to be tarnished, or tarnishing? It makes me sick, it really does.

[BeerHere]

I wish this whole thing (the Cubs releasing the tape, Sammy leaving etc) just would have never happened. Both the Cubs, Sammy, and the fans would be better off.

 

I couldn't agree more. It makes the entire organization look like a bunch of school children pointing fingers and laughing at each other.

 

"No you are..."

"No YOU are..."

 

Pathetic

[thedaymen]

What he did in a Cubs uniform is an afterthought for me at this point.

 

Is it me, or does it seem like every fan favorite that leaves the Cubs does so in a similar "bitter" manner? Sammy, Grace, Stony, Brickhouse, others? Why can't people just leave without the need to be tarnished, or tarnishing? It makes me sick, it really does.

 

Maybe it has something to do with the way the Cubs management treats people. When you see a trend like this....well, it makes you think.

[Chris]

I was reading over the articles from when Sammy played with the Diamond Jaxx in '04. At that time he said he planned to play through 2009.

 

I love Sammy and wish nothing but the best for him.

[goonys evil twin]

He'd be a nice platoon player at a low cost.

[Brian]

Is it me, or does it seem like every fan favorite that leaves the Cubs does so in a similar "bitter" manner?

 

Santo, Banks, Williams, Sandberg

[Wheelimus]

If Sammy wants to come back and give it one last try and really wants to mend fences with the Cubs, it's real simple Sammy. Ask to come to spring training as a non roster invitee. Personally call up Jim Hendry and make this request.

 

Worst case, he stinks, formally retires with a fitting Wrigley Field send off, and rides into the sunset.

 

Middle case, he's ok, can still nail lefties, and becomes Jacque's platoon partner, giving us a shot of a combined .900 OPS out of right field.

 

Best case, happening in the land of make believe, would be the 2001 Sammy coming into camp, smashing Jacque over the head with his boombox and personally flinging him into the trade bin, and putting up a 1.000 OPS next season as our starting right fielder. :lol:

[Wilson A2000]

Didn't Sammy say that he didn't want to go to the Nats because he felt disrespected when they offered him a lower paying contract?

[Butterscup1679666578]

I love Sammy

 

Seconded.

 

He'd be a nice platoon player at a low cost.

 

I'd love that.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Obligatory pic of Sammy and me is needed in every Sosa thread.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/MEANDSAMMY.jpg

[UMFan83]

Is it me, or does it seem like every fan favorite that leaves the Cubs does so in a similar "bitter" manner?

 

Santo, Banks, Williams, Sandberg

 

They've never left :lol:

[Roast]

Sammy could spend the rest of his life shaking better Cub hands.

 

I be he thinks he's a pretty man, too.

 

Name one player who had a better offensive career in chicago than sammy.

[Andy]

Sammy could spend the rest of his life shaking better Cub hands.

 

I be he thinks he's a pretty man, too.

 

Name one player who had a better offensive career in chicago than sammy.

156 was Banks's best OPS+ total, in 1958. He OPS'd .980 that year and hit 47 dingers.

 

Sammy's OPS+ from 1998-2002 read:

 

160

141

169

201 (!)

160

 

The numbers point in Roast's favor here.

[FergieJ31]

Sammy could spend the rest of his life shaking better Cub hands.

 

I be he thinks he's a pretty man, too.

 

Name one player who had a better offensive career in chicago than sammy.

 

Gabby wants a word with you:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hartnga01.shtml

 

It's close but a strong case could be made for Gabby:

 

Virtually the same career OPS+ numbers; Sammy had more power, Gabby had the higher OBP. But Gabby put up great numbers much longer than Sammy: at least 11-12 elite years with the Cubs as opposed to Sammy's big 6-7 (98-04).

 

Plus consider the era ... Gabby didn't play in THE deadball era but relative to the thin pitching and short porches(*) of the late 90's / early 00's it was certainly a tougher era to hit. And Gabby was a C, a much tougher position to play.

 

I'd give the edge to Gabby, curious to get other opinions.

 

(*) not to mention the juiced ball/juiced players theories

[Danny82]

Didn't Sammy say that he didn't want to go to the Nats because he felt disrespected when they offered him a lower paying contract?

Exactly.

 

Not about the money and "needed to take a break" my butt.

[Soul]

Sammy could spend the rest of his life shaking better Cub hands.

 

I've been on this planet a long time, and seldom have I heard or read a statement so glaringly wrong as this one.