Friday, September 27, 2002
Sosa prepared to wait till next year
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Sammy Sosa doesn't want to be moved up in the lineup or get any other kind of special treatment for these last three games. If he gets to 500 home runs this season, great. If not, there's always next year.
“I just want it to be the way it is,” he said. “I don't think they should move me. I'm OK right there.”
Sosa remains stuck on 498 career homers after going 1-for-4 Thursday in the Cubs' 1-0 loss to the Reds. He's gone 22 plate appearances since his last homer, and has just five in the last 23 games.
He also needs two homers to become the first player to reach 50 in five seasons.
“The fans want me to do it, a lot of people behind me want me to do it and I want to do it,” Sosa said. “But you've got to be patient. Sometimes, when you have a lot of people behind you, it's something that isn't easy.
“It's going to happen anyway,” he added. “If it doesn't happen this year, so what?”
Cubs interim manager Bruce Kimm said he's considered moving Sosa up in the lineup in hopes of getting him a few more at-bats. But Sosa shot that idea down right away.
“Nah, I don't need that,” he said.
The Cubs wasted another decent pitching performance, this one by Carlos Zambrano (4-8). Zambrano allowed only one run and four hits in seven innings, walking five and striking out three.
But the Cubs struck out 10 times and had only three runners in scoring position.
Notes: The Cubs lead the majors with 1,247 strikeouts, a club record. ... Cubs radio broadcaster Ron Santo missed the game with food poisoning. He was replaced in the booth by Hall of Famer Billy Williams.
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Sosa prepared to wait till next year
