Now that the steroids have cleared his system....

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Sosa eyes return to big leagues, 600 home runs

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Sammy Sosa, 12 home runs shy of 600, said he wants to return to the big leagues in 2007 after taking a year off and contemplating retirement.

"I feel good physically, and after a year of resting we are optimistic about making a decision soon about returning to baseball," the Dominican slugger told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Sosa, 37, did not play in 2006 after rejecting a non-guaranteed offer of $500,000 from the Washington Nationals. But the outfielder, perhaps best known for his epic home run duel with Mark McGwire in 1998, said he is motivated to return.

"I still have a lot of passion for the game and I'm in shape. I want to get to 600 home runs before saying goodbye," said Sosa.

His agent, Adam Katz, has previously said Sosa probably was headed to retirement.

Sosa, whose last season with the Baltimore Orioles ended with a .221 batting average and 14 home runs, said several teams have shown interest but did not specify which ones.

The only player in major league history to have three seasons of at least 60 homers, Sosa testified before a congressional committee looking into steroids use by professional baseball players.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

[Guest patona314]

let him enjoy retirement. that's where he belongs...

problem is, minaya likes him.. from what i read

[Valadius]

He should just go away. Seriously.

[Willets Point]

Correction: now that he's found a masking agent to help prevent him testing positive for steroids.

[metirish]

Amazin to think that Sosa was so popular at one time....

[stevejrogers]

Perfect example of what Edgy was saying with that Bill James quote in the Pujols thread.

[Guest cleonjones11]

metirish wrote: Amazin to think that Sosa was so popular at one time....

Hmmmm Amazin and Sosa in the same sentence

[RealityChuck]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15629267/

]Sosa's comeback will succeed with Mets BASEBALL After not playing this past season, Sammy Sosa says he feels good physically, and he wants to come back to the big leagues in 2007. The 37-year-old slugger rejected a non-guaranteed offer of $500,000 from the Washington Nationals for 2006. He last played in 2005 with the Baltimore Orioles, batting .221 with 14 home runs. Sosa is 12 home runs shy of 600, and he has said several teams have shown interest in him for next season, but he did not name those clubs. Despite his declining skills and his year away from the game, Sosa will pull off a successful comeback to the majors, and it will be with the Mets. TED ROBINSON: DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE? AGREE Sosa will certainly need to offer an explanation for his year-long absence as well as comfort his new employers that his "Entourage" days are behind him. This is the player who lied about leaving Wrigley Field early on his final day and final game as a Cub. And the player who stiffed the Home Run Derby organizers, calling in sick on the day of the event after extorting a deal in which his family and friends were all flown to Las Vegas for a weekend of parties. The sense here is that when it comes to Sosa, the Mets are the buyers. They have the need for corner outfield help, and the personal hook in general manager Omar Minaya's 20-year relationship with Sosa, a player he discovered as a Dominican teenager. Minaya is one of the few who can appeal to Sosa's pride while satisfying his need to be treated with respect. It is no surprise to those close to the Mets that so many older players have excelled in New York of late. Minaya has a touch with players much like Dusty Baker. Sosa will get a spring invite from the Mets, make the team, and find a way to contribute.

The horror, the horror.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I guess it's possible that Sosa will be a Met in 2007, but I don't expect to see it happen.

And I hope it doesn't happen.

[Willets Point]

Sosa wants to play with the Mets because that's where his hero Chico Escuela played.

[Guest Edgy DC]

]he has said several teams have shown interest in him for next season, but he did not name those clubs.

I have the list here:

• Hanshin Carp


• Seibu Lions


• St. Paul Saints


• Montgomery Biscuits


• Estrellas Orientales de San Pedro de Macor�s

[Guest patona314]

Edgy DC wrote: ]he has said several teams have shown interest in him for next season, but he did not name those clubs. I have the list here: Hanshin Carp Seibu Lions St. Paul Saints Montgomery Biscuits Estrellas Orientales de San Pedro de Macor�s

lol

you forgot the newark bears and somerset patriots.

[smg58]

He'd be a good draw for the Ducks.

[Centerfield]

He can room with Rickey.

[seawolf17]

I'd take him as a Duck. That'd be fun. We loved it when Rickey came to town.