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Sammy Sosa
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Samuel
Peralta Sosa, widely known as Sammy Sosa was born on born
November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic.
Currently he plays for the Chicago Cubs. On June 16, 1989, he
made his major league debut with the Rangers. But later on he
was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Harold
Baines and Fred Manrique. At that time, Rangers was owned by
President George W. Bush. Later he regretted his decision and
remarked that this was the biggest mistake he ever committed. As
a full-time player in 1990, he delivered productive scores and
hit 15 home runs and compiled 70 RBI. In 1991 due to the
depreciation in his scores he was demoted to the minor leagues.
Preceding the start of regular season playoffs, he was again
traded to the across town team, the Chicago Cubs along with
reliever Ken Patterson. At that time it was assumed that the
Cubs were deceived by their cross town rivals, the Chicago White
Sox during the trade since had to still prove himself. |
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Larry Himes after becoming the general manager of the Cubs
simply changed his views about Sosa and commented that he
would go a long way and will become an excellent player.
Sosa was forced to spend much of his 1992 season on the
disabled list due to a broken wrist and an inflamed
shoulder. For the rest of the year when he was active he
remained in Centerfield. He rebounded in 1993 and eventually
showed the signs of productivity and talent. He finished the
season with 33 home runs and 36 stolen bases and became the
first Cub player to mark the 30-30 (30 homer, 30 steals)
record.
During
the strike-shortened season of 1994, it is assumed that Sosa
showed the propensity to join the Boston Red Sox under the
free agent deal. |
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But Major League
didn’t permit any contract negotiations between players and teams
during the strike. Sosa once again reached the 30-30 level in 1995,
and made his first All-Star team. In 1996, Sosa led the National
League in home runs with 40 but injured his wrist. Sosa found it
onerous returning from his broken wrist during the 1997. During his
subpar 1997 season, Sosa contracted an extension with the Cubs and
set up as baseball's highest-paid players.
1998 was perhaps one of his finest seasons. He emerged as one
of baseball's greatest player. His 416 total bases were the most in
a single season in 50 years, since Stan Musial's 429 in 1948. Sosa’s
skills somewhat boosted in 1998 when he won the National League Most
Valuable Player Award for leading the Cubs. He and McGwire shared
Sports Illustrated magazine's 1998 "Sportsmen of the Year" award.
Sosa who had already become a home run legend garnered his first
home run championship by hitting 50 in the 2000 season. In 2001, he
hit 64 home runs, becoming the first player ever with three 60 home
run seasons. In 2002 once again he led the league in home runs with
49. The year 2003 was mediocre for Sosa. He also spent some time on
the reserved/injury list after having a toenail removed. In 2004 he
suffered a bizarre injury. He sneezed with such a force that pulled
the muscles of his back. He was diagnosed with back spasms and
placed on the disabled list. He ended his 2004 season with 574
career home runs. This score placed him on the seventh rank on the
major leagues' all-time home run list.
Sammy Sosa's belonged to a very poor family and was raised up
in an abandoned hospital. He used a folded milk carton as a glove as
his financial status was too bad that he couldn’t afford a real one.
Keeping in view his playing skills the Philadelphia Phillies tried
to sign him at the mere age of 15, but the Major League didn’t
permit them because of a rule making the minimum age for contracts
between major league teams and players 16. After turning 16, he
signed with the Texas Rangers in 1985.
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