Supporters rally around Sosa (Clinton counsels Sosa)

ESPN.com ^ | Wednesday, June 11 | ESPN.com news services

[Lost Highway]

BALTIMORE -- Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa has at least one high-profile supporter who has endured his share of media scrutiny while leading an entire country.

Former president Bill Clinton told Sosa to hang in there.

Sosa had his eight-game suspension reduced by one game by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, a day after having a hearing that included Sosa's agent, Tom Reich, and Cubs president Andy MacPhail speaking on Sosa's behalf.

Sosa spoke candidly before playing Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles about the fallout he expects from using a corked bat last week in a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He acknowledged for the first time that it will be a smudge on his career, but one he hopes to erase by rededicating himself to the fans who have stuck by him.

"I got to carry that mark for the rest of my life," Sosa told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I'm probably going to hear that for the rest of my life. Worse things have happened to a lot of people.

"All my enemies have a chance to stab me once again in the back. But I can live with that. They can say whatever they want. Hopefully, they all never make a mistake like that in their lives. A lot of people had to go through the same thing. It's something I got to deal with."

Clinton and Sosa became friends when Clinton was in the White House, and the former president counseled Sosa by telephone.

"He told me to stay strong and don't give up," Sosa told the Sun-Times. "It's something that happens to people. It'll go away." Donald Trump, whom Sosa considers a friend, also was quick to phone Sosa and express support. "The support I've been having is tremendous, unbelievable," Sosa said. "I never have seen so much support in my life, because I say the truth. When you say the truth, people will believe you. At the beginning, they don't.

"But after they X-rayed all the 76 bats and they came out clean, people started believing I was telling the truth. That was my only hope after the accident, that people knew I was telling the truth."

Sosa was told that many people still believe using the corked bat was no accident. A number of major-leaguers have said that hitters couldn't be mistaken about what bat they're using in a game, raising doubts about Sosa's contention that it was just a mistake.

But Sosa still denies using the corked bat on purpose.

"People right now think so many things," he said. "They make so many comments. You have to listen. What can you do? I made a mistake. I regret it. I have to deal with that and continue with my life."

[Lost Highway]

councel = counsel

[Paul Atreides]

Must be nice, having a serial cheater in your corner.

[quark]

If Sosa is a friend of DIRT-X-POTUS42, does that mean Bubba corks his Peyronie-diseased, 5.5-inch long, 0.25-inch diameter, bent wanker?

[GSWarrior]

This whole episode is ridiculous. USA Today last week had a front page story about Sosa with several teasers that included "What Should You Tell Your Kids?"

Give me a break. What's next? Grief counselors?

[dts32041]

I just wish the cubs had traded corky when he asked to be traded last year.

Then some one else could be worrying about his hanging around disreputable characters.

[LanPB01]

I think Clinton would probably load his "bat" with something more befitting of a clown, like Super High Bouncy Balls. Maybe that would explain the curvature.

[Jhoffa_]

This is why I don't have allot of sympathy for celebs who go wrong.. They have more than enough already..

The guy has ex-presidents calling him, Donald Trump is calling him.. There are undoubtedly millions of fans who believe they attain baseball stardom vicariously through supporting Sosa calling and writing.

Screw that. If I want to feel sorry for someone, I can do much better than Martha, Sosa, etc, etc..

[OldFriend]

all his enemies???????????(gag)

[Paul Atreides]

If Sosa wasn't black, would Bubba have stepped in? He might have, given his desperation to keep his name in the paper, by almost any means possible. However, I have to wonder if he thinks that he is scoring points in the black community with this.

[Lost Highway]

Corky Ha! That's almost as good as Byrd being called sheets.

[Finalapproach29er]

Clinton and Trump: They both love a corrupt soul.

You can tell a lot about a person's charecter by the company they keep.

[scab4faa]

5.5-inch long, 0.25-inch diameter, bent wanker...


How do you know...Hmmmm nevermind I don't want to know that... LoL

[ladyinred]

So, did Clinton lobby for a reduction in his suspension? After reading that he talked to him on the phone, it explains his remarks about his enemies being able to stab him in the back. He really should have left that Clintonian phrase out. That was not necessary, as he is to blame for using the bat, no one else. Figures he would be friends with" it's not his fault, it's the republicans" Clinton.

[quark]

How do you know...Hmmmm nevermind I don't want to know that... LoL

Glad you asked. From the deposition of Miss Paula Jones, who got up close and personal with Bubba's cocktail weenie when he dropped his trousers in her presence and told her to "kiss it."

[TheBattman]

Yep, simply amazing - people are getting more worked up and upset over Sosa using a stinking corked bat than they did when X-42 Corked an intern in the Oval Orifice..errrrrr...Office, then lied about it in COURT! Geee.....I don't think Sosa is responsible for the safety and security of our nation - yet his transgresssion in a stinking GAME (that's what baseball is- face it) is more important and tragic in some way??????

[JennysCool]

Last week he was "counseling" Pinch Sulzberger. Will he never, ever, leave us all alone???

[willyboyishere]

I think grief counsellors, thousands of them, dispatched to all corners of the USA is entirely in order. We can't afford to ignore those tens of thousands of traumatized Little Leaguers .......

[cardinal4]

I have Sosa in my fantasy league. Now Im torn, do I take the batting stats and bite the bullet on Clinton fart catching? Or do I put him on the trade block based on Principle?

[mikrofon]

In related news, Sen. Ted Kennedy also expressed his support for Sammy Sooser...