Sosa on Rangers' 40-man roster

[Michael]

This should be interesting...

TUCSON, Ariz. --After finding out he'd made the Texas Rangers' 40-man roster, Sammy Sosa hit a home run that went so far it must have felt like the good old days.

The solo shot that almost sailed into the street beyond left field at Tucson Electric Park was just one of 26 hits in a game won by the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-12, but it was part of a big day for the 38-year-old slugger in his comeback after a year away from the game.

By making the 40-man roster, Sosa -- fifth on the career home run list -- is officially a big leaguer again.

"The reason why I took the chance to come here is because I know I can compete," he said. "I believe that putting myself in that situation, coming here knowing I have to fight for a spot, is something that I liked, something that I'm proud of."

Sosa's home run on a 1-0 pitch from Edgar Gonzalez was his third in 10 spring training games. Although he struck out in his other two at-bats, he's hitting .452 with seven RBIs.

"I still have a ways to go," said Sosa, the 1998 NL MVP with the Chicago Cubs. "Because I made the team doesn't mean I've got to slow down. No way."

The move nearly assures Sosa of making the 25-man roster for opening day -- unless he gets hurt.

"I've been impressed with the adjustments he's made the last week or 10 days," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's hard to make evaluations on spring training, but when that's all you've got, you trust yourself and you trust your people.

"He's working hard to continue to get better, and we're going to give him that opportunity," Daniels added. "He can only take care of the business in front of him, and he's doing a good job."

Texas catcher Gerald Laird, who hit a three-run homer, said Sosa has been a joy to be around.

"Sammy's unbelievable, man," Laird said. "He looks great. He's laying off tough pitches and hitting pitches they leave over the plate. It's exciting to watch, and I'm excited to be his teammate because it could be a big year for him."

Rangers outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. also was told he would be placed on the 40-man roster, club spokesman Gregg Elkin said. The moves were not official yet because other personnel shifts were still necessary to make room.

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[mcgee51taguchi99]

I don't know what's more surprising . . . this news or Michael's post count.

[Michael]

I don't know what's more surprising . . . this news or Michael's post count.

Thank you for bringing back your old avatar. It's one of my all-time favs.

[mcgee51taguchi99]

I don't know what's more surprising . . . this news or Michael's post count.

Thank you for bringing back you old avatar. It's one of my all-time favs.

Thanks. Bobby V got real old real quick and I had to return to my roots.

[CarpMan]

IMO it should be an unearned run, because why should the pitcher be penalized by his ERA going up? The run did not score because of bad pitching.

[Budman]

Has anyone seen him actually play? While I've heard he's suppose to be in good shape, I'm wondering if he's toned down his antics or is the same Sammy tactics from his day with the small bears:

An at-bat as seen from Sammy Sosa

Prep:
1. Wrap knob of bat with insane amount of white tape so that the bat looks like something BamBam Flintstone would use.
2. Stand 3 feet from plate.
3. Glare at the pitcher if any ball comes within 1 foot of your body.
4. Swing as hard as possible at incoming ball (strike or not that is not in jeopardy of hitting you).

If decent contact is made:
1. Do a jumping jack coming out of batters box.
2. Do NOT take direct route to 1b, instead act like you are going to knock over the 1b coach.

If ball does not leave the park and is a hit:
1. Run like crazy, and stop at 1b after large turn, so that it looks like you could have made it to 2b.

If ball does leave the park:
1. SLOW DOWN.
2. Stutter step around each base.
3. Step hard on the plate, point skyward.
4. Walk back to dugout.
5. High five anyone that has bothered to get off the bench.
6. Find camera man.
7. Point to camera.
8. Kiss 2 fingers.
9. Thump chest.
10. Point to sky.
11. Repeat steps 8-10 as many times as the camera man will allow.
12. Find seat on bench... wait for camera guy to get you again.
13. Dump water on forehead and make a stupid face...



************************************************************************************************

Man... that's a lot of stuff to remember to do...

[Schlich]

Has anyone seen him actually play? While I've heard he's suppose to be in good shape, I'm wondering if he's toned down his antics or is the same Sammy tactics from his day with the small bears:

An at-bat as seen from Sammy Sosa

Prep:
1. Wrap knob of bat with insane amount of white tape so that the bat looks like something BamBam Flintstone would use.
2. Stand 3 feet from plate.
3. Glare at the pitcher if any ball comes within 1 foot of your body.
4. Swing as hard as possible at incoming ball (strike or not that is not in jeopardy of hitting you).

If decent contact is made:
1. Do a jumping jack coming out of batters box.
2. Do NOT take direct route to 1b, instead act like you are going to knock over the 1b coach.

If ball does not leave the park and is a hit:
1. Run like crazy, and stop at 1b after large turn, so that it looks like you could have made it to 2b.

If ball does leave the park:
1. SLOW DOWN.
2. Stutter step around each base.
3. Step hard on the plate, point skyward.
4. Walk back to dugout.
5. High five anyone that has bothered to get off the bench.
6. Find camera man.
7. Point to camera.
8. Kiss 2 fingers.
9. Thump chest.
10. Point to sky.
11. Repeat steps 8-10 as many times as the camera man will allow.
12. Find seat on bench... wait for camera guy to get you again.
13. Dump water on forehead and make a stupid face...



************************************************************************************************

Man... that's a lot of stuff to remember to do...

POST OF THE YEAR