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CHICAGO (AP) -- Once Sammy Sosa was caught using a corked bat, there was one big question: Was he cheating when he hit any of those 505 home runs?
The Chicago Cubs' star slugger, 17th on the career home-run list, was ejected in the first inning of Tuesday night's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after umpires found cork in his shattered bat.
Sosa said it was all an honest mistake.
"I use that bat for batting practice," he said. "It's something that I take the blame for. It's a mistake, I know that. I feel sorry. I just apologize to everybody that are embarrassed."
Sosa, who gained national prominence in 1998 during his home-run battle with Mark McGwire, apologized to fans, his teammates and the commissioner of baseball. Sosa's other bats were confiscated by security personnel and turned over to major league baseball.
"Deep down in my heart, I truly believe Sammy didn't know that was in there," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "But I just hope that this event, whatever it was, doesn't tarnish his career or take away all that Sammy Sosa's done. For baseball and for Chicago."
The Cubs had runners at second and third when Sosa broke his bat with a grounder to second base that at first appeared to drive in a run.
Crew chief Tim McClelland gathered with the other three umpires to examine the handle area of the bat. Cubs manager Dusty Baker came out and the umpires showed what was left of the bat to him.
Mark Grudzielanek was sent back to third base, the run was wiped off the board and Sosa was ejected as he stood in the dugout.
Sosa said he hoped fans will believe he didn't intend to use a corked bat.
"That's why I'm here right now, to explain that it was a mistake," he said. "I know that right now, anybody or somebody probably want to think whatever comes to their mind, but you know, I just picked the wrong bat.
"I don't really need to use that. I break so many bats in my life. But when you make a mistake like that, you got to stood up and be there for it. ... It's a mistake, and I take the blame for it."
Sosa said he had the corked bat "for batting practice -- just to put on a show for the fans ... I like to make people happy and I do that in batting practice."
Some fans didn't like what they saw.
"I think it's a disgrace, a shame. Everything that he's done now is called into question," said Craig Carr, a 35-year-old spectator from Newton.
Cork inside a wooden bat is thought to help players hit the ball farther and is against baseball rules. Several players have been caught using altered bats in the past, including Albert Belle, Wilton Guerrero, Chris Sabo, Billy Hatcher and Graig Nettles. All were suspended.
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06-04-2003 10:59 PM
