Mirror Mirror in the Paper

At the end of the 2003 season, Eric Karros took out a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune to thank the fans for a great season. Today, Sammy Sosa's handlers... uh... Sammy ran the same play.

"It's been an honor to play for the best fans in baseball. I was proud to be a Cub. My heartfelt thanks to the Cubs organization, my teammates and the fans of Chicago. Thank you for 13 wonderful years. Thank you Chicago - I love you. - Sammy Sosa #21."

I wonder what the cost is for a full page ad? I'm going to guess around $85,000? Isn't that the same amount that Sammy owes the Cubs in fines for his day off last October?

Pressure, Dude

Now Dusty Baker wants to know why Sosa is angry with him. Nothing like waiting until it no longer matters to get the bottom of the issue. Musta tried to take a page from the president's 9/11 Commission Delay Handbook.

But the best was Baker's non-denial denial of the reports that Baker wanted Jim Hendry to get Sosa the "rhymes with Chuck" off the team.

"Hey, man, there's always speculation," he said. "Speculation is usually wrong."

Well, Dusty, this pressure is all on you now. You want a contract extension, right? You're going to have to win. Sosa and Alou are gone. You've been given more speed, a better infield and a healthy pitching staff. And there will be no more criticism from the broadcast booth (but plenty from WSCR it seems).

Win or go home is your story for 2005, dude.