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CHICAGO - With tears flowing down his cheeks and an
inevitable fine and suspension in the works, Cubbies slugger
Sammy Sosa did an about-face Thursday, explaining to the media
that the corked bat he was using was not meant to either get
more home runs or impress fans during practice sessions, but
instead was a desperate cry for help.
Skeptical sports officials fully expected some kind of statement
professing "an innocent mistake" followed by some
kind of public contrition, but Sosa's attempt at damage control
surprised everyone with his current admission that he wanted
to be caught with the corked bat to direct attention to his
many problems, including alcoholism, drug addiction, manic
depression and bulimia.
Before Sosa broke down with emotion and was whisked away
by lawyers, he explained that he would often hide corks from
cheap wine bottles deep within his bat so his teammates and
family wouldn't know he had a drinking problem, but that he
"had no idea that it might make the ball travel farther."
"Sammy Sosa love baseball," Sosa said. "Sammy
love Cubs and fans and God, but Sammy not love Sammy so much.
Sammy is a big wino."
A piece of cork was found just above the handle in Sosa's
bat Tuesday night when it shattered after he grounded out
in the first inning of the Chicago Cubs' 3-2 victory. Sosa
at first said it was a mistake, saying he accidentally pulled
out a bat he uses to put on home run displays for fans in
batting practice. His story changed dramatically with the
arrival of his new team of Dominican lawyers.
"It was just big, funny coincidence, but now I'm really
glad it happened," Sosa said. "Sammy loves the fans
but Sammy needs help and Sammy knows that Americans always
forgive addicts because it's not their fault. I hope Bud Selig
will not suspend me but let me go back to the Dominican Republic
for treatment for my many problems. I will even use my own
money to pay for the vacation -- I mean the trip to the doctors."
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Above:
Sammy Sosa says he is now glad he was caught with corked bat
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