October 31, 200322 yr Link Credit: CNNSI.com CHICAGO (AP) -- Sammy Sosa will keep on doing his home run hops for the Chicago Cubs. Sosa announced Friday he will not pursue free agency and will keep the last two seasons of his four-year contract. He will earn $33 million over the remainder of the deal. "I have said all along I wanted to remain a Cub forever," Sosa said in a statement. "We had such an exciting year in 2003, for both myself and for Cub fans everywhere. I am already looking forward to next season. I know with Dusty Baker as the manager and the direction our team is headed, it will be another exciting year." Sosa signed a four-year extension worth $72 million during spring training in 2001. Under the deal, Sosa got the right to terminate the contract after this season or exercise player options for $16 million next season and $17 million in 2005. But the free-agent market has tightened because of the luxury tax and debt rules, and Sosa probably wouldn't find a better deal anywhere else. He also likes playing for Baker and sees loads of potential in the Cubs, who were within five outs of advancing to the World Series this year. "The market is different now than it was in 1998 and 1997," Adam Katz, one of Sosa's agents, said Thursday. "Sammy is a bright, pragmatic guy. He also has indicated to everyone that he'd like to stay in Chicago and retire with the Cubs." Sosa, a fan favorite worldwide since his home run race with Mark McGwire in 1998, had perhaps the toughest season of his career this year. He was suspended for seven games in June after he was found to be using a corked bat. Sosa apologized and said it was a mistake, but he heard occasional taunts from fans the rest of the season. He rebounded, though, finishing with 40 homers and 103 RBIs to become the first NL player with six straight 40-homer seasons. He hit .262 in the playoffs, including a .308 average with two homers and six RBIs in the NLCS. On Thursday, Cubs left-hander Shawn Estes and center fielder Kenny Lofton filed for free agency. Left-hander Mark Guthrie filed after the club declined a $2.2 million option for next season. Acquired from Pittsburgh after Corey Patterson injured his knee, Lofton played a big role in the Cubs advancing to the NLCS. He hit .327 with 20 RBIs after joining the Cubs on July 22, and had 12 stolen bases. Estes went 8-11 with a 5.73 ERA after signing a one-year deal with the Cubs, and was demoted to the bullpen in early September. He pitched his eighth career shutout against Cincinnati when the Cubs were in the thick of the playoff race, but was on the disabled list for the postseason. Guthrie was 2-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 65 appearances with the Cubs this year.
November 1, 200322 yr guess sosa doesnt want a ring! He'll get it. With the Cubs. pass the dubie to the left, dee dee bum bum boooo man what the f*** wrong wit chu
November 1, 200322 yr the Cubs were only 5 outs away remember the Cubs are cursed by a billy goat remember
November 1, 200322 yr Author The Cubs could've been in the series this season and I have no reason to believe they won't be in the same situation come next postseason. They have a championship caliber team and can do it.
November 1, 200322 yr The Cubs could've been in the series this season and I have no reason to believe they won't be in the same situation come next postseason. They have a championship caliber team and can do it. All true, but they won't do it. You all think I sound crazy, but trust me, ask anybody from chicago, cubs or sox fan, if the cubs can go to the series, and most will come to their senses and say no. The curse will never allow it to happen. Thew blew their chance this year, even championship calibur teams (outside of the yankees) don't get into that good of a situation very often.
November 1, 200322 yr The Cubs could've been in the series this season and I have no reason to believe they won't be in the same situation come next postseason. They have a championship caliber team and can do it. All true, but they won't do it. You all think I sound crazy, but trust me, ask anybody from chicago, cubs or sox fan, if the cubs can go to the series, and most will come to their senses and say no. The curse will never allow it to happen. Thew blew their chance this year, even championship calibur teams (outside of the yankees) don't get into that good of a situation very often. Yea, but I think the Curse of the Bambino is the worse one. :shifty
November 1, 200322 yr guess sosa doesnt want a ring! He'll get it. With the Cubs. pass the dubie to the left, dee dee bum bum boooo man what the f*** wrong wit chu :lol :lol :lol
November 1, 200322 yr The Cubs could've been in the series this season and I have no reason to believe they won't be in the same situation come next postseason. They have a championship caliber team and can do it. All true, but they won't do it. You all think I sound crazy, but trust me, ask anybody from chicago, cubs or sox fan, if the cubs can go to the series, and most will come to their senses and say no. The curse will never allow it to happen. Thew blew their chance this year, even championship calibur teams (outside of the yankees) don't get into that good of a situation very often. As Stewart Smalley would say, "that's just stinkin' thinking" God that sounds gay.
November 2, 200322 yr BAAAAAAHAHAHHA WHAT HAPPEND TO FAITH IN BILLY GOAT? BILLY G. WILLN'T LET THE CUBS GO TO THE SERIES NO MATTER WHAT. TRUST IN BILLY G. BAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHHHHHH ~BILLY G.
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