Sosa fined $87,400 for bailing out on Cubs
Posted: Thursday October 7, 2004 11:02AM; Updated: Thursday October 7, 2004 11:05AM
CHICAGO (AP) -- Sammy Sosa was fined $87,400 -- one day's salary _ for arriving late and leaving early at the Cubs' regular-season finale at Wrigley Field.
Sosa arrived 70 minutes before Sunday's first pitch, and he apparently left 15 minutes after the first pitch without putting on his uniform, according to security cameras in the team's parking lot. Sosa told the Chicago Sun-Times he was in the clubhouse until the seventh inning and also said he was tired of manager Dusty Baker blaming him for the Cubs' failures.
"It's certainly inexcusable for him not be at the ballpark and not dressed with his teammates," general manager Jim Hendry said.
The episode, following an injury-plagued season in which Sosa batted just .253 with 35 homers and 85 RBIs, has led to speculation the Cubs will try to trade him.
Sosa is to make $17 million next season and the club has an $18 million option for 2006 with a $4.5 million buyout. If Sosa is traded, his 2006 contract becomes guaranteed and a 2007 club option is added at $19 million with a $4.5 million buyout.
Posted: Thursday October 7, 2004 11:02AM; Updated: Thursday October 7, 2004 11:05AM
CHICAGO (AP) -- Sammy Sosa was fined $87,400 -- one day's salary _ for arriving late and leaving early at the Cubs' regular-season finale at Wrigley Field.
Sosa arrived 70 minutes before Sunday's first pitch, and he apparently left 15 minutes after the first pitch without putting on his uniform, according to security cameras in the team's parking lot. Sosa told the Chicago Sun-Times he was in the clubhouse until the seventh inning and also said he was tired of manager Dusty Baker blaming him for the Cubs' failures.
"It's certainly inexcusable for him not be at the ballpark and not dressed with his teammates," general manager Jim Hendry said.
The episode, following an injury-plagued season in which Sosa batted just .253 with 35 homers and 85 RBIs, has led to speculation the Cubs will try to trade him.
Sosa is to make $17 million next season and the club has an $18 million option for 2006 with a $4.5 million buyout. If Sosa is traded, his 2006 contract becomes guaranteed and a 2007 club option is added at $19 million with a $4.5 million buyout.
