By Brandon Loomis
The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Some Chicago Cubs fans expressed shock and disappointment, while others voiced support for Sammy Sosa after umpires found cork in his bat during a game Tuesday night.

"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, Ill., who attended the game with his family.

Sosa, who has emerged as the city's most recognizable athlete since Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls, was ejected in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Sosa's bat shattered on a groundout to second, and umpires found cork in his bat after inspecting it.

The discovery is sure to raise questions about the legitimacy of Sosa's power surge in recent years; he has 505 career homers, 17th on the all-time list.

Ashlee Ullom, who didn't attend Tuesday night's game but was walking her dog near the ballpark, said "it's kind of interesting to think if he's been using it all along. It calls into question everything he's done."

Sosa, a six-time All-Star, apologized after the game, insisting that the bat was meant to be used only for batting practice.

"It's a mistake, I know that," he said. "I feel sorry. I just apologize to everybody that are embarrassed."

Ted Tait, 31, of Cottage Grove, Minn., said he accepts Sosa's explanation.

"I believe that; I thought that the whole time. The only reason he got busted for it was his bat broke," said Tait, who watched the game from a nearby rooftop.

Spencer Higgam, 32, of Nashville, Tenn., was at the game with his 10-year-old nephew, Matthew Higgam of Aledo, Texas. The younger Higgam had tough words for Sosa.

"I think Sammy shouldn't have cheated. He plays a lot better when he doesn't cheat," Matthew Higgam said.

Ullom had a different view of her Cubs, saying the team's management would not have allowed one of its players to use a corked bat.

"The Cubs are a lot better than cheaters," she said. "Cubs are the good guys."