Great Sosa article by Mike Downey today

[Larry Horse]

Downey made it seem like Sammy didn't forget how to understand and speak English on Capitol Hill

 

Don't bring this up around the Sammy fans. Or the corking, the steroid question or the fact that he's a phony.

 

How a fan could call him a "class act" is puzzling.

[jiml60]

Not only that but racism plays a factor in Sox fans hatred of Sammy. Especially from the white south side neighborhoods and suburbs. Most of the same people hating on Sammy would hate Frank Thomas also.

 

I have been reading this board a long time. That being said, this is probably one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever read here. Actually, here or on any of many other baseball boards I read.

 

I'm guessing that you are not a Chicago resident or if you are, probably not born here. Call it ridiculous and put your blinders on but I live on the South Side and the hate towards Sammy and Frank Thomas from Sox fans based on race is voiced even to this day, even with both of them out of Chicago.

 

It is just a sad reality of life in Chicago. Racism runs deep, especially on the South Side. I'm giving you my observation of one reason why Sox fans hate Sammy, I'm not condoning it or maintaining that it is the only reason they hate him.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Downey made it seem like Sammy didn't forget how to understand and speak English on Capitol Hill

 

A simple and pretty plausible explanation why Sosa spoke Spanish in front of a congressional committee: It's one thing to rattle off all those trite phrases in broken English, i.e. "I'm a warrior." "I come to play every day." "I just trying to help my ballclub play better." But it's a completely different thing to sit in front of Congress and deny you're using steroids. I wouldn't want my words confused, either.

 

Too bad he didn't use that explanation. I'd have bought it.

[dakuda]

Not only that but racism plays a factor in Sox fans hatred of Sammy. Especially from the white south side neighborhoods and suburbs. Most of the same people hating on Sammy would hate Frank Thomas also.

 

I have been reading this board a long time. That being said, this is probably one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever read here. Actually, here or on any of many other baseball boards I read.

 

I'm guessing that you are not a Chicago resident or if you are, probably not born here. Call it ridiculous and put your blinders on but I live on the South Side and the hate towards Sammy and Frank Thomas from Sox fans based on race is voiced even to this day, even with both of them out of Chicago.

 

It is just a sad reality of life in Chicago. Racism runs deep, especially on the South Side. I'm giving you my observation of one reason why Sox fans hate Sammy, I'm not condoning it or maintaining that it is the only reason they hate him.

 

You do know what happens when you assume, right? Sammy /= Frank. Different situations. Racism has nothing to do with this particular situation.

[Backtobanks]

Not only that but racism plays a factor in Sox fans hatred of Sammy. Especially from the white south side neighborhoods and suburbs. Most of the same people hating on Sammy would hate Frank Thomas also.

 

I have been reading this board a long time. That being said, this is probably one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever read here. Actually, here or on any of many other baseball boards I read.

 

I'm guessing that you are not a Chicago resident or if you are, probably not born here. Call it ridiculous and put your blinders on but I live on the South Side and the hate towards Sammy and Frank Thomas from Sox fans based on race is voiced even to this day, even with both of them out of Chicago.

 

It is just a sad reality of life in Chicago. Racism runs deep, especially on the South Side. I'm giving you my observation of one reason why Sox fans hate Sammy, I'm not condoning it or maintaining that it is the only reason they hate him.

 

Racism is alive and well on the South Side, but I don't think the hatred for Sammy and/or Frank is based on race. One of the most beloved players in Sox history was Minnie Minoso. Right now, one of the most popular is Jermaine Dye. I think it has more to do with being a pompous ass in addition to being African-American that the hatred might be based on.