j wrote:Normally I'd be all over somebody for this, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and give Sosa the benefit of a doubt. His explanation is simply that he uses the bat during batting practice and accidentally grabbed it. Why should we give him the benefit of the doubt? Because Sosa, unlike many of his immoral comrades in professional sports, gives back a huge amount of his salary to his home community. Sosa is a generous, charitable man (now don't get me wrong..I'm not saying the man is starving by any means), that has shown himself to be a man of extrememly high moral conduct.
Now...if this was somebody like A. Jones...I'd say ban him for life!
Andruw banned for life??? No way!!
Maybe I'm showing my Atlanta Braves loyalty, but Andruw Jones is a pretty classy guy that gives a
lot back to the community here in metro Atlanta. Has Andruw made mistakes? Sure...so do many young athetes that achieve fame at a very young age; but I don't see Andruw Jones as a "baseball bad boy"...and I live here, and hear the sports talk shows every day.
Am I dissapointed in Sammy Sosa? You betcha...very dissapointed, and surprised. IMO he should be suspended for a few games..
Would I be dissapointed if Andrew were caught pulling the same stunt? Sure...and I'd expect him to be suspended --but banned for life?? No way!! Using a corked bat might be against the rules....but to put it in the same light as what Pete Rose did (betting on games he was managing in) is utterly ridiculous.
My God....even drug users get a second chance!
btw - Pete Rose was a hero of mine when I was a kid...a big hero. I sincerely hope he admits his guilt, apologises, and someday takes his place in the MLB Hall of Fame.
Sincerely,
Perry
