I have been a long-time SI subscriber and I coincidentally just renewed for another year earlier this week (free t-shirt and Bears fleece - cool!). Well after reading some of Tom's article in this week's SI, I may be asking for a refund (after I get the free t-shirt and fleece). Tom linked Sammy Sosa in with all the other TRULY busted MLB steroid users in his article on Manny Ramirez. Here's the quote from Tom's article:
Of the 15 players who hit the most home runs from 1993 through 2004, Ramirez is the 10th to be connected to performance-enhancing drugs by positive tests, the Mitchell Report or news reports, joining Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Rodriguez, Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire, Gary Sheffield, Juan Gonzalez and Mo Vaughn in the rogues' gallery. (The five not associated as such are Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Jeff Bagwell and Carlos Delgado.)
Does he know something none of the rest of us know? And when I say "know", I mean KNOW, not guessing or speculating. Sammy was not involved in BALCO, was not in the Mitchell Report other than being included in a list of players that didn't respond to a questionnaire sent to his lawyer by Sen Mitchell, and has not been linked in any way, shape or form to any doctors, clinics, clubhouse attendants, or even Jose Canseco. So what's up with including him in this list of dirty players in the cover story for a major sports magazine?
I remain baffled as to why the Cubs organization treats Sammy the way they do. Sammy helped bridge the gap between lovable losers and playoff contenders. He carried the Cubs for 10 years when they had NOBODY else. He had arguably the greatest single season ever that was not performance enhanced by drugs (1998 and heck, what about 2001?). He brought in HUGE revenue for this franchise that helped get them over the hump of a big market team with a small market mentality.
Since he left so unceremoniously following that final game in 2004, he has hardly been mentioned in this town. He hit more HRs than Mr. Cub himself and yet, his number remains to be given away to the weakest of ball players including a former 5th starter that has never made a playoff roster (Jason Marquis) and now to the latest knucklehead free agent (Milton Bradley).
As much as I love Ryne Sandberg and begged for his inclusion in the HOF, his numbers are NO WHERE NEAR what Sammy's numbers were. Yet nobody (I'm not positive as I cannot find a way to check) ever wore Sandberg's #23 following either of his two retirements. It's a travesty that the Cubs are treating Sammy with so little love. If no love, how about at least a little respect?
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