Sosa Shows Respect; McGwire Returns It

Jack Curry

Baseball
First published September 9 in The New York Times.

McGwire broke the record. Here's the immediate aftermath.
 

 

If it was an emotional night for McGwire, so too for Sosa.

Sammy Sosa actually wanted to weep after Mark McGwire made baseball history by lining his 62nd homer to eclipse Roger Maris' illustrious 37-year old record on Tuesday night. Sosa watched a delirious McGwire stumble around the bases during a historic trot and thought that, indeed, he would cry while witnessing the warm scene.

"But I couldn't," Sosa explained, "because I'm a tough guy."

It was a typical Sosa quip, but Sosa was being candid. If it was an emotional night for McGwire, so too for Sosa, who chased Maris day by day with his new best friend from the Cardinals and acted more like his biggest fan than his biggest competitor. Sosa brought out the personality and power in McGwire, and major league baseball and fans, new and old, were the beneficiaries.

With a red home run king cap that McGwire had sent to him sitting in his locker, Sosa spoke about McGwire the way a younger brother might talk about an older brother: with reverence, with respect and with awe. McGwire is the new home run king, but Sosa, who has 58 homers and could still pass Maris or even McGwire, is a very worthy prince.

"Remember that we play against each other, we're not enemies," said Sosa. "We are talking about two people, two human beings who do their jobs. We also have a good relationship, as a friend and as a nice person. We're in this thing together."

Until the end. There was an amazing scene involving McGwire and Sosa after the homer off Steve Trachsel, a scene for history and a scene that crossed barriers and spoke of brotherhood. McGwire embraced Sosa and lifted the 200-pound man up as if he were a bag of groceries when Sosa finally hustled in from right field to congratulate McGwire.

 

McGwire embraced Sosa and lifted the 200-pound man up as if he were a bag of groceries.

"It wasn't to be part of the celebration," said Sosa. "It was to congratulate Mark because he's my friend." McGwire and Sosa touched fists up high and stopped just short of punching each other in the stomach, which has become McGwire's trademark following homers during a memorable season. Before Sosa returned to the outfield, McGwire paid tribute to him by performing the Cub's routine following homers. In unison with Sosa, McGwire touched his lips twice, kissed them and then pointed to the skies. Then they hugged again.

"I said, 'You're the man. You did it,"' said Sosa. "That was something emotional. That was something unbelievable. That was a great feeling."

Definitely for McGwire and maybe for Sosa, but not for Trachsel. The 27-year old right-hander was planning not to throw McGwire any strikes on Tuesday night, but he uncorked a shin-high fastball that McGwire launched into history. Trachsel's name went with the ball, forever the answer to a trivia question and forever his era's Tracy Stallard. Still, Trachsel did not think he would be remembered as the pitcher who served up No. 62.

"He's going to hit 10 more before the season is over," said Trachsel. "I think the guy who gives up the last one is the one who will be remembered."

The Cubs are tied with the New York Mets for the wild card berth in the National League so McGwire's momentous homer obviously hurt their post-season chances in a contest they eventually lost, 6-3. But third baseman Gary Gaetti and catcher Scott Servais hugged the new home run king during his trot and two other infielders also congratulated him. It was rather delicate, especially since Servais sheepishly admitted that he merely wanted to shake hands with McGwire and wound up with one hug in a hugathon of a night.

 

Trachsel's name went with the ball, forever the answer to a trivia question and forever his era's Tracy Stallard.

"It's a tough thing," said Servais. "I think the thing you have to do is look at the bigger picture. Everyone on the field has been a fan since they were 5 or 6 years old and they've followed every game and know the history of baseball. When something like that happens and he does what he did, it's a great accomplishment."

Gaetti, who co-owns a race car with McGwire called "Mac Attack" said, "When you see something like that happen, you just react. It was unbelievable."

McGwire looked tired during Tuesday night's game, closing his eyes several times while he sat in the dugout and as he waited in the on-deck circle. But the eyes that looked tired to observers told a different story to Sosa. Sosa claimed that saw a man who was ready to break one of the hallowed records in baseball history in front of 49,987 fans.

"We've talked two or three times, especially today, and he said he felt great," said Sosa. "He thought he was going to do it today and I could see that confidence in his eyes. That's why he's the man."

 

"My reaction was, 'Yes, he did it.'"

Again, everyone laughed. Sosa is a charming sort, an ambassador for baseball and a man who showed precisely how to act in a difficult situation. Sosa was constantly placed behind McGwire, but he developed a bond with McGwire and said that is where he should be. After Tuesday night, Sosa was right. Right behind McGwire.

"I would have to say that nobody in the ball park ever had the feeling that they had today," said Sosa. "It was amazing. Everybody knew what they were waiting for. When he connected with the ball, everybody was like, 'Wow.' My reaction was, 'Yes, he did it."'


front local mscl music news sport
mail me

This page updated November 19, 1998
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1