Sammy Sosa on skin lightener: 'I'm not a racist'

Sammy Sosa said he's using a "bleaching cream" to soften his skin and is not trying to change his pigmentation. "I'm not a racist," the former Orioles outfielder told ESPN Deportes. Sosa, in his first public remarks since the famous photos became public, said he's not trying to look like Michael Jackson. "What happened was that I had been using the cream for a long time and that, combined with the bright TV lights, made my face look whiter than it really is. I don't think I look like Michael Jackson," he said to ESPN Deportes. Sosa then joked: "I'm going to market it. I'm a businessman." He said he got it in Europe.

Laurel Park: After more than 6 inches of rain has drenched Central Maryland since mid-October, track officials have decided not to use the turf course for the rest of the year. Saturday's All Brandy Stakes, originally scheduled for the turf, will now be contested on the dirt.

- From Sun staff and news services