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Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa said Saturday that being lowered to sixth in the batting lineup was "humiliating," and that he wouldn't allow it to happen again if he returns to the team.
Cubs manager Dusty Baker lowered Sosa in the lineup when the slugger was struggling at the plate.
"I'm not a sixth batter," Sosa told Hoy newspaper in Santo Domingo Saturday upon returning to his native Dominican Republic. "I'm a cleanup hitter or (should be) third in the rotation because I've earned that right with almost 600 career home runs."
Sosa, 35, this season batted .253, his lowest average since 1997. In 126 games, he finished with 35 homers and 80 RBI, ending his run of 100-RBI seasons at nine.
Sosa has another year on his contract that will pay him $17 million next season, and the club has an option for 2006.
Sosa may also be traded in the offseason. The New York Mets have expressed interest.
Sosa also spoke for the first time Saturday about his decision not to suit up for the Cubs final game of the season, a move that cost him a $87,500 fine.
"I know I screwed up and I can assure you that I've asked for forgiveness," Sosa told the local newspaper. "But I also need to say that I felt poorly treated.
"So many things happened that I was in shock. I needed to rest that day because I wasn't going to be able to give it my best."
Sosa said he hoped that fans would forgive him, and that people would judge him on his career achievements.
The former all-star has hit 574 homeruns during 16 major league seasons. He says he plans to play into his 40s.
"I'm going to play at least another five or six seasons, hitting 35 home runs a year," he said. "That would allow me to finish my career with 700 home runs."
Source: AP
Cubs manager Dusty Baker lowered Sosa in the lineup when the slugger was struggling at the plate.
"I'm not a sixth batter," Sosa told Hoy newspaper in Santo Domingo Saturday upon returning to his native Dominican Republic. "I'm a cleanup hitter or (should be) third in the rotation because I've earned that right with almost 600 career home runs."
Sosa, 35, this season batted .253, his lowest average since 1997. In 126 games, he finished with 35 homers and 80 RBI, ending his run of 100-RBI seasons at nine.
Sosa has another year on his contract that will pay him $17 million next season, and the club has an option for 2006.
Sosa may also be traded in the offseason. The New York Mets have expressed interest.
Sosa also spoke for the first time Saturday about his decision not to suit up for the Cubs final game of the season, a move that cost him a $87,500 fine.
"I know I screwed up and I can assure you that I've asked for forgiveness," Sosa told the local newspaper. "But I also need to say that I felt poorly treated.
"So many things happened that I was in shock. I needed to rest that day because I wasn't going to be able to give it my best."
Sosa said he hoped that fans would forgive him, and that people would judge him on his career achievements.
The former all-star has hit 574 homeruns during 16 major league seasons. He says he plans to play into his 40s.
"I'm going to play at least another five or six seasons, hitting 35 home runs a year," he said. "That would allow me to finish my career with 700 home runs."
Source: AP