AP-Paul
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![[*]](./images/default_icon.gif) posted on 6/6/03 at 02:05 PM |
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Pujols says Sosa has remained 'my hero'
By JOE STRAUSS Post-Dispatch
updated: 06/06/2003 06:06 AM
Albert Pujols considers Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa as a friend and "my hero." The two didn't meet until Pujols' rookie season of 2001,
but developed a mutual admiration as countrymen and sluggers. So while a 24-hour media swirl arose after Sosa was found swinging a corked bat in
Tuesday's Cubs-Tampa Bay game, Pujols felt both embarrassment and empathy for the player.
Pujols said he does not own a doctored batting practice bat. Of all the things involved in the controversy, Pujols could not believe Sosa would feel
the need for any assistance.
"What do you need that for?" Pujols said, "God gave me a body and the ability to hit a baseball. What difference does it make if you hit it 500
feet or 335 feet as long as it's a home run?"
Pujols was 13 in 1993 when Sosa hit 30 home runs for the first time. He had graduated as a shortstop at Fort Osage High School in 1998 when Sosa hit
66 home runs as part of the historic duel with Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire. Nothing that has transpired in the last few days has changed
Pujols' feelings for Sosa.
"He's a great player, a greater hitter and a great man," Pujols said. "I don't know why people can't leave him alone. He made a mistake. Why
didn't they make such a big deal out of it when it was Wilton Guerrero (in 1997 with the Los Angeles Dodgers)? He did the same thing but there
wasn't all this. Sammy apologized for it. What else is he supposed to do?"
Pujols had no trouble accepting Sosa's explanation that his use of a corked bat was accidental. Wednesday's confirmation by the commissioner's
office that 76 bats taken from Sosa's locker were clean only strengthened Pujols' conviction.
Commissioner Bud Selig and vice-president in charge of on-field matters Bob Watson are expected to announce today a suspension for Sosa.
More Albert
Despite aches in his elbow, hamstring and ankle, Pujols entered Thursday's game among the league's top eight in 12 significant offensive categories
and led in batting average (.369), slugging percentage (.692), night batting average (.402) and batting average versus righthanded pitching (.361).
His 15 home runs ranked fourth and his 43 RBIs ranked eighth.
Here is the link.
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slugger21
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Registered: 7/4/03
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| posted on 7/6/03 at 05:04 PM |
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Its good that Pujols and Sosa get along but I still believe that Sosa knew that he had a corked bat in his hand but its JMO.
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