Baseballhead:Moon Over My Sammy

Michael Cox

Heh-oh, campers, and welcome to Baseballhead, where in our new home improvement frenzy, we've just discovered Christopher Lowell, the Tommy Tune of interior design. Two snaps in a circle, and pass the miter saw!

Well, all the baseball world's a-tingle this week with the "news" that the Cubs are looking to deal one-half of Home Run Chase '98, Sammy Sosa. However, a few clubs aren't feeling quite so a-tingly -- namely, the AL East teams who aren't in the running.

If like the New York Post, you believe that scouts present at minor-league games equals a potential trade, the Yankees appear to have the inside track to acquire Sosa. And why? Because the Yankees are in -- gasp -- second place in the AL East. By a half-game! And although pitching is what they'd really like to find, It's easier looking for arms on the Venus de Milo.

So, the Yanks will take what they can get. And with Da Boss in the-sky-is-falling mode, you can bet the Cubs' front office's eyes lit up like downtown Reno at the thought of a barrelful of prospects. With the White Sox' rebuilding program appearing to have borne fruit (and I stress the word "appearing"), the Tribune Co. would like some of what Jerry Reinsdorf's having.

However, the plot has thickened with the sudden appearance of the Red Sox in the Sosa hunt. With their team looking like it's finally hitting on all cylinders (a team's gotta get its kicks somehow, I guess), there's no way they want the Bronx to acquire another Bomber.

"So, what's reeeeeally gonna happen?" I hear you ask. Laddie, that's a good question. Keep in mind that the Cubs have actually made contract offers to Sosa, and both sides have said they'd like Sammy to continue muffing fly balls at Wrigley for years to come.

Also keep in mind that just because they say this, doesn't mean they're really serious about it. Sosa has developed a bit of an attitude, tending to bring up the "fact" that he "saved baseball" in '98 whenever someone gets down on him. (Seems to me there was another guy who had a bigger role in all that, as well as the small detail that baseball hardly required "saving.")

However, losing Sosa would potentially be a blow to the Cubbies' revenue stream, at least for the 3-5 rebuilding years until they can challenge for the wild card again. If the Yanks aren't able to part with a marquee name or two (no, Tino Martinez doesn't count), the Cubs will likely say "Go Fish."

As for those who profess excitement that a trade might bring in crowds as Sosa appears in American League cities, I have two words: Mark McGwire. The AL's had him. Also Ken Griffey Jr., Jose Canseco, Cecil Fielder, Frank Thomas, Albert Belle, Juan Gonzalez, and a host of others in recent memory.

Part of what captured America's attention in '98 was the fact that Mac and Sam were rolling out all those taters in the "pitchers' league," where strategy supposedly reigned over brute strength. In the AL, Sosa's just another heavy hitter to be pitched around by struggling young middle relievers.

It may excite Yankee fans, but if three World Championships in four years ain't packing 'em in, I doubt that even a clone from Babe Ruth's DNA would help.

After a day when the A's smacked the Royals around for 21 runs, and the White Sox beat up the Yanks pretty good, I question the additional entertainment value of a Sammy Sosa.

That is, unless he picks a fight with Steinbrenner. That would be fun.

about the author

Considering all the work he's done, Michael Cox was a bit disappointed that his name didn't appear in the latest National League All-Star voting totals. Remind him that write-in votes should be for actual baseball players at mc@strikethree.com.