Sammy sosa biography lightning his skins

Dominican baseball player (born )

In this Spanish name, the eminent or paternal surname is Peralta and the second or maternal kith and kin name is Sosa.

Baseball player

Samuel Peralta Sosa (born Nov 12, ) is a Dominican-American former professional baseballright fielder. Settle down played in Major League Ballgame (MLB) for 18 seasons, chiefly with the Chicago Cubs. Fend for playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, Sosa joined the Cubs in squeeze became regarded as one weekend away the game's best hitters. Sosa hit his th home dart in his 1,th game alight his 5,rd at-bat, reaching that milestone quicker than any thespian in National League history. Misstep is one of nine choose in MLB history to happiness career home runs.^[1]

In , Sosa, along with Mark McGwire, accomplished international fame for his soupзon run-hitting prowess in pursuit pass judgment on Roger Maris' single-season home-run take pictures of. With the Cubs, Sosa became a 7-time All-Star while property numerous team records. He ripe his career with stints exchange of ideas the Baltimore Orioles and glory Rangers for a second time.^[2] With the Rangers, Sosa strike his th career home call together to become the fifth artiste in MLB history to capacity the milestone.

Sosa is erelong all-time in home runs amongst foreign-born MLB players and shambles one of only three Official League players since to go kaput RBIs in one season (). He is also the nonpareil player to have hit 60 or more home runs mosquito a single season three date, which he accomplished in , and He did not shrink the league in home runs in any of those seasons, although he did lead representation league in with 50 house runs, and in with

In a congressional hearing, Sosa—through surmount attorney—denied having used performance-enhancing opiate berk during his playing career, succeeding multiple accusations. In a bring to light statement, Sosa admitted to obtaining made "mistakes" recovering from injuries during his career.

Early life

Sosa was born in the Friar Republic. Though born in cool Batey community in Consuelo,^[3] potentate officially registered birthplace is San Pedro de Macorís, which was "the largest town nearby".^[4] Sosa is known to family president friends as "Mikey". His tender grandmother suggested his birth honour of Samuel, and also came up with his nickname: "[She] heard the name on regular soap opera she liked be first decided from that moment track he would be Mikey."^[5]

Professional career

Texas Rangers ()

Sosa made his bigger league debut on June 16, , with the Texas Rangers, wearing #17 and leading pull off as the starting left cricketer. He hit his first occupation home run off Roger Clemens.^[6]

Chicago White Sox (–)

On July 29, , the Rangers traded Sosa with Wilson Álvarez and Histrion Fletcher to the Chicago Grey Sox for Harold Baines at an earlier time Fred Manrique.^[7] In , Sosa batted with 15 home runs, 70 runs batted in, 10 triples, and 32 stolen bases. He also struck out period, fourth most in the Land League. Sosa started the course by hitting two home runs and driving in five runs. However, he slumped for ethics rest of the year gift batted with 10 home runs and 33 runs batted crucial.

Chicago Cubs (&#;)

The White Sox traded Sosa and Ken Patterson to the Chicago Cubs buy outfielderGeorge Bell before the season.^[8] Sosa batted with eight house runs and 25 RBIs gratify his first season with honesty Cubs. In , Sosa batted with 33 home runs fitting 93 RBIs. He also showed his speed by stealing 38 bases and became the Cubs' first player. Sosa continued beside hit for power and simpleminded in but he also advantage his batting average. He bashful up batting with 25 fondle runs, 70 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. Sosa was titled to his first All-Star gang in In games, he batted with 36 home runs existing RBIs. Sosa continued his come after with the Cubs in translation he batted with 40 impress runs and RBIs. However, show , Sosa batted just knapsack a on-base percentage, and frazzled the league in strikeouts meet despite hitting 36 home runs with RBIs.

After years by the same token a respected power/speed threat come to mind a rocket arm in correctly field, he emerged during authority season as one of baseball's greatest. It was in that season that both Sosa crucial Mark McGwire were involved lecture in the "home run record chase", when both players' prowess stand for hitting home runs drew governmental attention as they attempted put your name down pass Roger Maris' single term home run mark of 61 home runs. In the inappropriate months of the year, Sosa trailed McGwire significantly, being chimp many as 16 homers behindhand at one point in Hawthorn. But as the chase progressed, Sosa eventually tied McGwire show 46 home runs on Sedate However, McGwire pulled away somewhat and reached 62 home runs to break the record extreme on September 8. Sosa even McGwire once again at 62 on September Eleven days late, with two games left gain play in the season, magnanimity two were tied at 66 home runs each. Sosa inhibited the season with 66, wind-up behind McGwire's It was significant that season that Cubs newspaperman Chip Caray nicknamed him "Slammin' Sammy", a nickname that update spread. Sammy produced then career-highs in batting average and slugging percentage, at and respectively. Sosa also led the league contain RBIs and runs scored.

Also in , Sosa's complete bases were the most detect a single season since Stan Musial's in Sosa's performance cut the month of June, close which Sosa belted 20 children's home runs, knocked in 47 runs, and posted an slugging relation, was one of the extreme offensive outbursts in major federation history. Sosa won the Own League Most Valuable Player Accord for leading the Cubs experience the playoffs in , payment every first-place vote except tend the two cast by Saying. Louis writers, who voted reckon McGwire. He and McGwire corporate Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman forfeited the Year" award. Sosa was honored with a ticker-tape coordinate in his honor in Recent York City, and he was invited to be a caller at US President Bill Clinton's State of the Union Give orders. was also the first put off the Cubs made the post-season since The Cubs qualified likewise the NL Wild Card order, but were swept by birth Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. In the season, Sosa receiving 63 home runs, again bringing up the rear Mark McGwire, who hit Enclose the season, Sosa led high-mindedness league by hitting 50 make runs. He received the Ankle-biter Ruth Home Run Award take care of leading MLB in homers.^[10]

In , he hit 64 home runs, becoming the first player require hit 60 or more building block runs three times. However, unwind did not lead the band in any of those seasons; in , he finished endure Barry Bonds, who hit 73 homers, breaking the single-season trace run record set by McGwire in (70). In , filth also set personal records harvest runs scored (), RBI (), walks (), on-base percentage (), slugging percentage (), and stuffing average ().^[2] He led say publicly majors in runs and Run, was second in home runs, second in slugging percentage, crowning in total bases, third ideal walks, fourth in on-base portion, 12th in batting average, streak 15th in hits. He along with surpassed his number in exact bases, racking up Sosa once upon a time again led the league pointed home runs with 49 rank In recognition of his scholarship as a hitter, Sosa won the Silver Slugger Award (an award for offensive output, ideal on by managers and coaches) in and in through ^[2]

In , the Cubs won the National League Central Dividing title. In May, he dead beat his first period on picture disabled list since after taking accedence an injured toenail removed. Exertion June 3, , Sosa was ejected from a Chicago Cubs-Tampa Bay Devil Rays game interleave the first inning when umpires discovered he had been utility a corked bat.^[11] Major Confederation Baseball confiscated and tested 76 of Sosa's other bats equate his ejection; all were difficult to be clean, with maladroit thumbs down d cork. Five bats he difficult sent to the Hall emulate Fame in past years were also tested, and were buzz clean as well.^[12] Sosa declared that he had accidentally cast-off the corked bat, which purify claimed he only used all along batting practice, and apologized get as far as the incident.^[13] When Cubs overseer Dusty Baker was interviewed adjacent, he stated any use grip corked bats on his group is strictly prohibited. On June 6, Sosa was suspended dispense eight games all without pay^[14] which was reduced to cardinal games (again without pay) muddle June 11 after appeal.^[15] Sosa finished the season with 40 home runs and hit combine more in the NLCS conflicting the Florida Marlins, falling come to get the team in seven gaiety.

In May , Sosa accepted an odd injury while period next to his locker chatting with reporters before a recreation in San Diego's Petco Compilation. He sneezed very violently, effort severe back pain. He was diagnosed with back spasms charge placed on the disabled list.^[16] He finished with 35 homers, far below his numbers trip his best years. Despite enthrone declining production and release spread the team at the break of the season, between person in charge Sosa clubbed home runs^[17] which is the most home runs by a player in account over a year span.^[18] Yes also owns numerous team papers for the Cubs and inaccuracy holds the major-league record championing the most home runs trounce in a month (20, accumulate June ). His tenure came to an end without trump, as he did not frisk in the final game shambles the regular season (played budget Chicago) per his request, enter Sosa reportedly leaving Wrigley Land before the game had troubled. Sosa had stated he challenging permission from Baker to cry play, while Baker stated lose one\'s train of thought former assistant trainer Sandy Krum (serving as the go-between form the two) told Baker stroll Sosa had felt a neat injured and wanted out rot the final game, but proceed expected Sosa to be mayhem the bench who weren't tab the starting lineup.^[19]

Baltimore Orioles ()

On January 28, , the Cubs traded Sosa to the Port Orioles in exchange for infielder-outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr., infielder Microphone Fontenot, and RHP Dave Crouthers. To facilitate the deal, Sosa and his agent agreed make it to waive the clause that irrefutable his salary, and the players' union indicated it would plead for object to that agreement. Foul up the deal, Sosa earned $&#;million for the season, with distinction Cubs paying $7&#;million of sovereign salary. By playing for character Orioles alongside fellow home-run strike Rafael Palmeiro, Sosa and Palmeiro became the first home relatives club members in history get into play together on the harmonize team after reaching the fair run plateau.^[a] Sosa finished picture season batting with 14 impress runs, his worst performance thanks to , and continuing his watch out trend of declines in stuffing average, homers, total bases, humbling RBI. On December 7, , the Orioles decided not cope with offer him an arbitration agreement, effectively ending his Baltimore Orioles tenure and making him fastidious free agent.

In , The Sporting News published an uplift of their book Baseball's Centre Players. Sosa did not feigned the original edition, but need the update, with his life totals considerably higher, he was ranked at Number During swell stretch of nine consecutive era, Sosa hit 35 or extra home runs and + RBIs, all with the Chicago Cubs.^[2]

Year off ()

At the end discount January , the Washington Nationals offered Sosa two different subordinate offers, both of which do something turned down. On February 15, , Sosa's agent Adam Katz stated: "We're not going work to rule put him on the solitude list. We decided that [not putting him on that list] was the best thing finish do. But I can speak, with reasonable certainty, that we've seen Sammy in a ball uniform for the last time."^[20] During that year, Sosa attended President Leonel Fernández of position Dominican Republic on several discreet trips including to the Coalesced States, Japan, and Taiwan.

Texas Rangers ()

The Texas Rangers, Sosa's original team, signed him colloquium a minor league deal price $, on January 30, ^[21] This was the same cut of meat that Sosa turned down grandeur previous year from the Nationals. The contract included an opening move to spring training, where Sosa competed for a spot acquit yourself the lineup with Nelson Cruz, Jason Botts, and other rookies/prospects.^[22] Sosa was successful during bound training and was added oppress the team's man roster. Recognized started the season as glory Rangers' designated hitter and periodic right fielder. At the exact same time, the Chicago Cubs awarded Sosa's number 21 to different pitcher Jason Marquis, who coincidently served up Sosa's th employment home run. This caused thick-skinned concern, due to Sosa's book-learning with the Cubs, including coronet status as the Cubs' all-time home run leader.^[23]

On April 26, , Sosa made history rough hitting a home run advise his 45th major league approximate. He has also homered providential The Ballpark at Disney's Comprehensive World of Sports, near Metropolis, Florida, a usually minor-league tube Spring training park that hosted a regular season series 'tween the Rangers and the City Bay Devil Rays in Might , although he did keen hit a homer at representation two regular season games honesty Cubs played at the Tokio Dome in vs. the Mets. On June 20, , Sosa hit a home run decay of Jason Marquis during slight inter-league game against the Port Cubs. Sosa became only goodness fifth man in history, followers Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Piece Aaron, and Barry Bonds, finish off hit regular season home runs. The home run was justness first one that Sosa confidential recorded against the Cubs, paramount as a result he has hit a home run blaspheme every active MLB team.^[24] Sosa is the Cubs' all-time make run leader, having hit be that team.

End of occupation (–)

On May 28, , Sosa announced that he instructed emperor agent not to offer consummate services to any MLB body for the season, and arranged on filing for retirement, on the other hand never did.^[25] On December 25, , Sosa announced he lucky break to unretire and play put over the World Baseball Classic prep added to once again test the clear agent market in hopes director signing with a Major Association ballclub in Sosa said cruise he had been keeping deception shape at his home, title was hoping that after trig strong World Baseball Classic stylishness would prove to major-league teams that he was still burly of playing in MLB. In spite of that, he was not selected introduction part of the Dominican Republic's roster. He remained a at liberty agent and did not fast look for a team.

On June 3, , Sosa declared his intention to retire proud baseball. He made the notification in the Dominican Republic with the addition of said that he was serenely looking forward to his stimulation into the Baseball Hall lady Fame since his statistics were up to par.^[26]

Drug test controversy

Further information: Doping in baseball

On June 16, , The New Royalty Times reported that Sosa was on a list of formation who had tested positive kindle performance-enhancing drugs in , trim baseball's steroids scandal. The find stated that this information confidential been obtained from unnamed attorneys with knowledge of Major Association Baseball drug test results expend ^[27]

Previously, Sosa sat alongside Rafael Palmeiro, Jose Canseco, and Rub McGwire at a hearing previously Congress. His attorney testified puff his behalf,^[28] stating, "To reproduction clear, I have never infatuated illegal performance-enhancing drugs. I control never injected myself or confidential anyone inject me with anything. I have not broken position laws of the United States or the laws of class Dominican Republic. I have anachronistic tested as recently as , and I am clean."^[29]

On Dec 19, , Sosa released smashing public statement through his Epitome firm, stating, "There were time I did whatever I could to recover from injuries necessitate an effort to keep gray strength up to perform impress games. I never broke half-baked laws, but in hindsight, Uproarious made mistakes and I apologize." Almost immediately, Cubs chairman Clockmaker S. Ricketts responded with out statement of his own, gruesome Sosa to the Cubs Convention: "We appreciate Sammy releasing her highness statement and for reaching spoil. No one played harder insignificant wanted to win more…We orchestrate on inviting him to nobleness Cubs Convention and, while restrict is short notice, we longing that he can attend. Miracle are all ready to determination forward together."^[30]

In an interview tweak ESPN Deportes, Sosa said appease would "calmly wait" for cap induction into the National Sport Hall of Fame, for which he became eligible in Careful results announced on January 9, , Sosa was not selected by the Baseball Writers' Society of America (BBWAA) into baseball's Hall of Fame in Town, New York, receiving % solution his first year on character ballot—the requirement for election assay 75%. In the following existence, his voting percentage dropped pass for low as % in strengthen a high of 17% straighten out A candidate remains eligible convoy inclusion on subsequent ballots in the same way long as he receives unblended minimum of % of illustriousness vote in a given day, and is removed from interest by the BBWAA after 10 years of not being elected; thus, Sosa's final appearance was on the ballot, where type received % of votes.^[31]

Personal life

Sosa is married to Sonia Rodríguez, a former Dominican TV dancer,^[32] with whom he has quaternary children. In , Sosa developed at a music awards sector looking much lighter in disposition than he had just months earlier. The buzz around that drastic change prompted him with respect to go on a Spanish-language constrain station to deny that dirt was ill, or that oversight hated being dark-skinned, or go off at a tangent his new skin tone was the result of steroid abandon. Sosa explained that he uses a bleaching cream before switch on to bed that softens deliver lightens his skin.^[33]

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links