[gomosopions]

Originally posted by rafael
Does anybody really believe sammy's age as correct? Trying to find one dominican with their real date of birth on their cedula is tough.

Before this year, I thought he had a better shot than bonds at catching Ruth and Aaron. We'll see.

I'd believe his age is correct.

MLB really tightened the screws on this one. Not much was made of it, but I keep hearing that all the ages have been verified. Keeping in mind the millions of dollars that are at stake, they went through extensive verification procedures. Some very big names had their DOB's corrected; mariano rivera, et al.

I don't believe Sammy's was ever really questioned because he's been in the ML's for quite some time and been through a few organizations. Also, if you see his picture from when he was signed, he actually looked younger than his age.

[Roferurse]

I agree but last night someone tied Foxx with his ninth consecutive 35 homerun season, and I forget the name but will find it and post it.

Sammy is getting a raw deal, no doubt but wait till he is a free agent and plays in a small ball park, watch him then.

[Dreaming]

Originally posted by Golo100
Sammy Sosa must be getting black balled because of the cork bat thing or something else. TW Thats a good enough reason for me.

[Xxedxevh]

Sammy Sosa must be getting black balled because of the cork bat thing or something else. But the man just reached the inmortal Jimmie Fox with his 534 career home run for 10th. on the all-time list, and the news went as quiet as Hurricane Isabel thru DR.

If you read ESPN, CNNSI, and even the Chicago Sun Times in his own team city, you will note that the headlines were stolen by Mark Prior striking out 13 in a game won by Sammy with his blast. At best he got the 5th. paragraph in the Sun Times. The 11th. paragraph on CNNSI of the Cub game recap.

In DR papers more noise was made of Pedro*s 100th. insignificant win with Boston, Albert Pujols 200th hit of the season and Bonds 656th HR at the age of 40.

Yet Sammy, at the tender age of 34 is only 122 from Bonds, 180 from Babe Ruth and 221 from Hank.

What makes this milestone by Sammy so important is that at this age, he reached one of the 10 greatest ball players in history, and in my opinion one of the top 3. Coincidentally he achieced two Jimmie Fox records on the same day, something unheard of in history. He is the only player other than Foxx to hit 35 HRs for nine consecutive seasons and this many homeruns to add. Not even Ruth, McGwire, Bonds, Killebrew were able to do this. It is importan to note that Foxx hit 325 lifetime in 21 years. This was an amazing superstar. I have always been in awe of Jimmie Fox*s legend.

And Sammy has done it all with several biological years ahead. And so far, he has done it with or without cork, aluminum or steel bats. The man just goes on. His proper due will be coming.

TW

[Dumpishchaism]

Does anybody really believe sammy's age as correct? Trying to find one dominican with their real date of birth on their cedula is tough.

Before this year, I thought he had a better shot than bonds at catching Ruth and Aaron. We'll see.

[fgjhfgjh]

Its not that Sosa was ignored, All of the media, print and broadcast mentioned that Sosa had surpassed Foxx but we're so caught up here with the Cubs possiblly winning their division, that's the bigger story here right now. As per Prior, anytime you see him pitch its going to be a game to watch, even when he doesn't have his best stuff.

Remember, us Cubs fans have the 3Ds--Sosa, Alou & Ramirez. Ramirez homered yesterday in a 2-0 win over the Mets. Kerry Wood got the win going the distance, striking out 11. Now we go to Pittsburgh. Houston has to go to St. Louis.

[Xxedxevh]

Sammy was born in 1968. Just for comparison, Bonds was born in 1964, one of the oldest active players. Rafael Palmeiro was the other active "oldtimer" who hit 35 HRs in nine consecutive seasons. He has never hit 50. Sammy is relatively young, considering that nowadays players between 30-35 years are still in their prime. Many top stars are that age. Sammy stays in great shape, just as Bonds, if not better.

Sammy is used to long hauls. He has played already more games and more times at bats(over 100) more than Bonds despite missing a whole month. He is only 8 Hrs. away from Bonds, exactly one months low production for Sammy. He would have easily been the leader if not for that bad toe and family problems.

If he stays relatively healthy in proportion to his age, he will easily reach Aaron. I expect 60 hrs. next year unless he breaks his leg. He also looks young for 34. His face does not have the ravages of players his age and his body is all muscle.

As for Jimmie Foxx, I have only seen films and videos of this guy and studied his stats. All you have to do is look at his numbers to be impressed. Besides, a name like that belongs in Hollywood.

Question???How come great players come with fancy names?
TW

[gomosopions]

Originally posted by Golo100
Sammy Sosa must be getting black balled because of the cork bat thing or something else. But the man just reached the inmortal Jimmie Fox with his 534 career home run for 10th. on the all-time list. Well it is 10th on the list, it's not like he's on the verge of immortality. Beyond that, part of the reason for the news being burried is the time of year; pennant races, real football has started, etc. Take away Prior's dominance and Sammy's HR is surely the headline of the game. Yet Sammy, at the tender age of 34 is only 122 from Bonds, 180 from Babe Ruth and 221 from Hank. How many years does Sammy have left? Or a better question, how much longer can he play the OF? The AL next? It seems to me that he has a very good shot at getting to number 2 on the list, beyond that he'll need help and good health. Foxx hit 35 HRs for nine consecutive seasons ...Foxx hit 325 lifetime in 21 years. This was an amazing superstar. I have always been in awe of Jimmie Fox*s legend. That is amazing, I didn't know that. Back when pitching was better and bats and balls were heavier.

My, Golo you really are old.

His proper due will be coming. I think he gets plenty of press coverage; he's emblazoned all over billboards and is on ESPN constantly.

Keep in mind that the press has a knack for building people up so they can tear them down. They already tore him down, so perhaps he's all used up in their eyes. Sad, but likely true

Just my 2 bits.

[Xxedxevh]

I am a Cub fan. But just because the Cubs are trying to catch up to Houston, Chicagoans and the press should not minimize baseball history. This is what baseball is all about.

I am sure that if Ernie Banks would have reached Sammys level, the Cubs would have raised all kinds of noise with this Mr. Cub thing. Well, Mr. Cub is Sammy. Banks has been put to rest as the greatest of all time. So was the incredible choosing of another Cub as MVP while the Cubs were in last place.

Kerry Wood has been career inconsistent and Prior is just a schoolboy learning how to walk. Who the hell is Ramirez? Erase him. he is just a journeyman next to Sammy. And Alou? Just an above average player with good eye contact with men on base.

Sosa is the man. Milestones ought to be given their importance, otherwise tradition will be hurt. being 10th. in history in a game that has seen tens of thousands trying to make it and only 5 (Maris, Ruth, Bonds,Mcgwire and Sammy) who have hit 60 hrs. is enough to gain respect.

TW