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By Paul Sullivan and Paul Sullivan,SPECIAL TO THE SUN | June 4, 2003
CHICAGO - With one swing, Sammy Sosa shattered a bat and, perhaps, his image last night. In the first inning of the Chicago Cubs' 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Sosa's bat splintered as he hit a ground ball to second base. Tampa Bay catcher Toby Hall retrieved the pieces and showed them to plate umpire Tim McClelland. After huddling with his crew and inspecting the shards, McClelland ejected the Cubs superstar for using an illegally corked bat, igniting a controversy that figures to linger for quite some time.
SPORTS
June 15, 2003
Enough is enough on bashing of Sosa Why is it that we can't resist the urge to kick a man when he's down? Sammy Sosa has been caught cheating and was punished accordingly. But for some, that doesn't seem to be enough. In the wake of his being caught using a corked bat, the accomplishments of his entire storied career have come under question. More than 80 of his bats from the past and present have been X-rayed, including those used during the most significant at-bats of his career that were later donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame to be used in its museum's exhibits.
SPORTS
By MIKE PRESTON | June 5, 2003
WITH ONE CRACKED bat Tuesday night, Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa's entire major league career was tarnished. Regardless of what happens with any further investigations by Major League Baseball into possible corked bats, there is always going to be that little nugget of a doubt about whether Sosa has always cheated. It's going to be there if he hits 600 home runs, and it's going to be there if he hits 700. We'll all enjoy those magical moments, just like the fun ride Sosa has given us so far in his career, but there is always going to be that moment when we wonder, did he or didn't he?
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By Joe Christensen and Joe Christensen,SUN STAFF | June 5, 2003
HOUSTON - The Orioles reacted with surprise and disappointment yesterday to the news that Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa had been caught using a corked bat. "It's a shame for Sammy, and it's a shame for baseball," Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said. "It casts a shadow on all of us, I think." There was one upshot for the Orioles, however. They are scheduled to play a three-game series against the Cubs at Camden Yards, beginning Tuesday. Assuming Sosa gets suspended, he might have to miss that series.
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By Peter Schmuck and Peter Schmuck,Sun Staff Writer | July 20, 1994
Suddenly, the terrific offensive numbers that Cleveland Indians outfielder Albert Belle put up during the first half of the 1994 season seem as hollow as the corked bat that he allegedly used to produce them.Belle, who received a 10-day suspension Monday for using an illegal bat, is the first major-league player since 1987 to be caught trying to obtain an unfair advantage at the plate, but corking apparently has been a common practice for many years.Just ask Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who said that he experimented with a corked bat during pre-game workouts in 1968.
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By Brad Snyder and Brad Snyder,Sun Staff Writer | July 22, 1994
As Cleveland Indians outfielder Albert Belle goes about trying to clear his name after being suspended 10 games for using a corked bat, the identity and fate of the person who stole the piece of lumber may forever remain a mystery."