Sammy Sosa hit two HRs against the Brewers yesterday,
giving him 62 for the season, tying him with Mark McGwire
for the MLB single-season record. Sosa's record HR came in
front of 40,846 at Wrigley Field (THE DAILY). In Chicago,
Terry Armour wrote that Sosa "is about to become one of
professional sports' hottest pitchmen." Noting Sosa's
endorsement of McDonald's and appearance in MasterCard's new
campaign, Burns Sports Celebrity President Bob Williams said
Sosa is at "Level 1, which is building a nice portfolio on
the local level while getting his feet wet on the national
level." Lanktree Sports' Nova Lanktree said Sosa's
"personality is shining through. He exudes charm. Nothing
about him is not charming" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/12).
SOSA A BIG MELROSE PLACE FAN? During his weekend press
conferences, Sosa sported an "MLB On Fox" cap. Sosa was
given the hats by Fox execs before Saturday's game. During
ESPN's live coverage of his Sunday press conference, Sosa
again wore the "MLB on Fox" cap (THE DAILY).
MAJOR LEAGUE BLUNDER? In Chicago, Dave Van Dyck, under
the header "Baseball Blows It Again With Sosa," writes that
MLB "passed on its chance to join in" on Sosa's HR chase,
calling yesterday "one of the strangest historic days in
modern baseball history." MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who
"lives only 90 minutes north" of Chicago, was absent from
the crowd, as were any members of Roger Maris' family. In
addition, "only a handful" of national media attended the
game (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/14). Selig did issue a statement
congratulating Sosa: "Major League Baseball is extremely
proud of and grateful to Sammy and Mark" (MLB). Selig also
called to congratulate Sosa during his press conference.
Sosa: "Bud Selig said he was watching. I would like to
thank him for watching" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/14). This
morning, Sosa's accomplishments were mentioned by each of
the morning news shows, but he was not personally
interviewed on NBC, CBS or ABC's morning shows (THE DAILY).
LET THE BIDDING BEGIN: Sosa's No. 62 HR ball was not
marked for ID purposes, so MLB officials "are trying to
figure out" where the ball is (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/14). Fan
Brendan Cunningham has a ball which he says is No. 62, and a
man named Gary "Moe" Mullins claims Cunningham stole it from
him. Cunningham said "he has no intention of giving up the
ball -- to Mullins or Sosa -- and plans to sell it to the
highest bidder." John Cunningham, his brother, said, "I
think we could probably use it more than Sammy can, you
know. I love Sammy, but. ..." (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/14).
Officials from the Baseball Hall of Fame were given Sosa's
bat and jersey, which will be displayed next to McGwire's
No. 62 bat, ball and jersey (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/14).
