MLB: Sosa glad contract squabbles are over

By Mike Howard Sportsuperstarz.com Columnist

In the midst of a 50 home run season, all anyone could talk about last season was the contract and constant trade demands of Sammy Sosa. The slugger who rivaled Mark McGwire for one of baseball’s most storied records saw his accolades disappear in the coverage of him being less than satisfied.

However, all that ended this spring. After months of rumored deals and contract negotiations, Sosa finally inked a 4-year, $72 million deal to remain with the Chicago Cubs. At the press conference the day of the signing, Sosa expressed relief over the deal finally being done. According to a source close to the outfielder we spoke with recently, Sosa is glad to have America’s minds back on baseball.

“He told me that he is glad that the whole thing is over with,” stated the source, which spoke with Sportsuperstarz.com on condition of anonymity. “He really felt that his image and his reputation among the fans was getting tarnished over this thing. While part of that isn’t his fault, he is still glad that it is over. His fans can now concentrate on baseball.”

Which fans weren’t doing a lot of last year. Despite hitting .320 with 50 home runs and 138 runs batted in, most could only concentrate on the Sosa battle with the cubs over his contract. They were also besieged by the constant rumors and trade demands of the slugger. Sosa was the prize of the Yankees last season, the Rangers over the winter and a possible deal with the Dodgers for Gary Sheffield this spring. However, none of the deals happened and Sosa remained in Chicago.

“He is glad to be here,” said the source. “He is more reassured than anything that he got the deal. It really makes him feel like they wanted him here. This security that he is gained will translate into better play for him. He hopes that fans can put everything from the media last season behind them. He is now happy he can concentrate on baseball.”

Sosa has been one of baseball’s most productive players over the past three seasons. He was the National League Most Valuable player in 1998, hitting .308 with 66 home runs and 158 RBI. The following season, he hit .288 with 63 home runs and 141 RBI. Over the past three seasons, Sosa is second only to Mark McGwire in total home runs hit. And in that same period of time, Sosa’s totals are a .312 average, 179 home runs, and 437 runs batted in.

“That was the big problem during this whole thing,” said the source. “His numbers from the past three years are unbelievable and all of it was being forgotten. With this contract thing behind him, fans can concentrate on his baseball. No one wanted to look at these things while this was going on in the background. Now it is over and everyone can just watch the guy play ball. Which is what he loves to do.”

Hopefully that love translates into more joy for Sosa and more wins for the Cubs in 2001.

Article courtesy of Sportsuperstarz.com