Somone worth mentioning

He plays with all of his might. He flashes that wonderful smile. He really enjoys being a big league ballplayer. How many people can you truly say that about? Maybe ten at the most.

Sammy Sosa is a gift to the game and a gift for the fans. A sure first ballot Hall-of-Famer, he gives more than just his playing ability to the game. He gives his heart.

I remember seeing Sammy Sosa back in the early nineties. He had a juiced up 'dew and a swing with more than one large hole in it. My introduction to him was through fantasy baseball and at the time he was of little or no consequence to me.

I continued to hear the name grumble around for a couple of years, never thinking much of it.

I remember hearing about the trade: "Sammy Sosa traded across town." I think the novelty of a cross-town Chicago trade was more of the news than the actual players involved.

Sammy was a bit player. His best season in the AL was 1990, when he had 15 homeruns, 70 RBI's, and 32 stolen bases. He also had a .233 batting average and he was caught stealing on one-third of his attempts.

His first year as a Cub was just as forgettable, as he played in only 67 games and hit just eight HR's. What happened in between the 1992 and 1993 season is a mystery to me, but a wonderful mystery. It gave us the Sammy we know.

In 1993, Sammy became the first 30-30 man for the Cubs and started his uphill climb that has yet to end.

I started following Sammy again in 1996. You might forget that at one point in the year Sammy was on pace to be able to go after Maris' mark of 61 HR's. His season was cut short when he was hit by a pitch and broke his wrist 128 games into the season. He finished with 40 HR's that year.

The year 1997 was just an average year for Sammy, 36 HR's and a .273 batting average. Nothing that would lead us to believe he could do what he has done since.

I remember the news conference. I don't remember when it was, but I remember seeing both Sosa and McGwire there. Sammy joking and Mark just a little tense.

It was just as we'd seen all summer. McGwire had the pressure of expectation on him and Sammy had just vaulted himself into the home run race with a record 20 home run month in June.

I wondered how this press conference would work. Two men who were completely different. Two men who probably had nothing in common except baseball. What would this melting pot press conference do besides create an awkward side-show?

What it did do was create a friendship that reminded Big Mac that it all was just a game. I firmly believe that Sammy showed McGwire how to enjoy the game again, something that he has not forgotten.

How did he do it? The same way he does it for you and me. He runs out and salutes the fans. He signs autographs. He smiles and has fun in the dugout. He lives the life of someone who is living in his own "Field of Dreams" and he wears it on his shoulder, unashamed of who might see him acting the part. Simply put, he enjoys the game and he wants you to enjoy the game too.

I don't believe it's any sort of charisma or charm gift that he has. Sammy knows that he is luckier than 99.99% of the world's population and he lives his life accordingly.

I have lived in Houston for nearly three years and I have yet to see Jeff Bagwell smile on the field. Now there's no doubt he's a nice guy and he does much for this community, but he could do with a weekend at the Sosa's for a refresher in having fun.

Sosa is having another fabulous season and at the age of 32 may have an outside shot at Aaron's (or McGwire, Bonds, or Griffey by then) record. If he hits 40-50 per year for the next four years, he will be ahead of both McGwire and Bonds' pace. He doesn't steal much anymore (who does?), but still fields a mean glove and arm in the outfield. He is a complete player who may just be hitting his stride.

As you get older, your view of the world narrows into a small, pessimistic picture of your everyday life. As a consequence, letting people into your heart becomes harder and harder to do. Once in a while, someone comes along that you cannot refuse. Sammy is one of those people. The way he shows his love and respect for the game is enough, the way he shows his love and respect for life is a wonderful bonus.

I have my baseball heroes, men who I admired when I was growing up: Seaver, Bench, Morgan, Yastrzemski, and Ryan. I am proud to add Sosa to that list for reasons that include so much more than his playing ability. The biggest compliment I can give him is to say that I will tell my son about him. He is someone worth mentioning.

Enjoy him for he is -- a once in a lifetime player and person.

Thanks Sammy.

Later...