Sandberg says Sosa doesn't belong in HOF

**hurdleisu24** · 06-23-2009, 02:12 PM

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg said his former teammate Sammy Sosa does not belong in the Hall because of integrity issues associated with the steroids era.

The New York Times reported that Sosa was one of the 104 players in 2003 who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Appearing on the "Waddle & Silvy" show on ESPN 1000, Sandberg said "I don't think so," when asked if Sosa belongs in the Hall of Fame

"They use the word 'integrity' in describing a Hall of Famer in the logo of the Hall of Fame, and I think there are gonna be quite a few players that are not going to get in," Sandberg said. "It's been evident with the sportswriters who vote them in, with what they've done with Mark McGwire getting in the 20 percent range.

"We have some other players coming up like [Rafael] Palmeiro coming up soon, and it'll be up to the sportswriters to speak loud and clear about that. I don't see any of those guys getting in."

Sandberg and Sosa were Cubs teammates from 1992 to '94 and from '96 to '97.

"I was around Sammy for about five years before I retired, and there wasn't anything going on then," Sandberg said. "I did admire the hard work he put in. He was one of the first guys down to the batting cage, hitting extra. I figured he was working out hard in the offseason to get bigger. It was just happening throughout the game, that even myself was blinded by what was really happening, maybe starting in the '98 season.

"I think it's very unfortunate. I think suspicions were there as they are with some other players. Those players are now put in a category of being tainted players with tainted stats. I think it's obviously something that was going on in the game. Players participated in it and as the names have come out I think that they will be punished for that."

Sandberg said that punishment should include being banned from Cooperstown.

"It's something that's against the law and against society," Sandberg said. "It was cheating in the sport.

"I think it has to be spoken very loud and clear on the stance, and baseball needs to stand as they have. I'm very, very satisfied with the testing program they have in place now. For a guy who's tested positive today under what happens now like Manny Ramirez, it almost takes an idiot to participate in that. For the society, for the up-and-coming players and youth out there, I don't think those guys should be recognized at all."

**CycloneErik** · 06-23-2009, 06:18 PM

Ouch. It's not like Ryno to call anybody out via the media.

**Bobber** · 06-23-2009, 06:31 PM

Great comments by a living legend.

**BCforISU** · 06-23-2009, 06:40 PM

I agree 100%, Gotta love Ryno's stance. I do think the list of 104 needs to be given in order to stop others from making the hall though. If you hold Sosa out, all the others need to be judged also. I am curious what everyone thinks- do A-Rod and Manny get into the hall of fame? Obviously if A-Rod keeps going.

**acrozier22** · 06-23-2009, 06:42 PM

Wow....called Manny an idiot!! Love that part!

By the way, Ryno had a great HOF speech about playing the game with integrity.

**acrozier22** · 06-23-2009, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by BCforISU

I agree 100%, Gotta love Ryno's stance. I do think the list of 104 needs to be given in order to stop others from making the hall though. If you hold Sosa out, all the others need to be judged also. I am curious what everyone thinks- do A-Rod and Manny get into the hall of fame? Obviously if A-Rod keeps going.

If you let ARod and Manny in then you let Bonds, Sosa, and McGuire in too...

**CycloneErik** · 06-23-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by acrozier22

If you let ARod and Manny in then you let Bonds, Sosa, and McGuire in too...

I agree. It seems best to me to say no to the whole lot of 'em right now.

**BCforISU** · 06-23-2009, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by acrozier22

If you let ARod and Manny in then you let Bonds, Sosa, and McGuire in too...

I am with you, just thought it is an interesting question, what if A-Rod hits another 400 home runs now that he is being tested better? Guess it would be tough to keep him out, but he is still tainted like the rest!

**mplscyclone** · 06-23-2009, 07:00 PM

Sandberg doesn't belong either, so he can relate....

**RayShimley** · 06-23-2009, 07:02 PM

Everyone assumes A-Rod is going to continue to be great, but he has been terrible this season. Now he's going to sit a minimum of 1 game a week until at least the All Star break...I bet some 'roids or HGH would've really come in handy for that nagging hip injury!!

**RayShimley** · 06-23-2009, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by mplscyclone

Sandberg doesn't belong either, so he can relate....

Yep, 10 consecutive All Star Games, 9 Gold Gloves and 7 Silver Sluggers...and the best to ever field his position...I can see your point.

**IcSyU** · 06-23-2009, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

Everyone assumes A-Rod is going to continue to be great, but he has been terrible this season. Now he's going to sit a minimum of 1 game a week until at least the All Star break...I bet some 'roids or HGH would've really come in handy for that nagging hip injury!!

If it's with the actual hip socket or bone, no. They wouldn't have helped at all. I'd actually guess it's that simply because generally muscles will heal over time. He's gotta have another surgery after the year so I'd guess there's something deeper. Depending on what's actually wrong, it's quite possible it will affect his hitting all year.

And terrible? Yeah, his batting average is brutal, but have you checked his on base percentage? His batting average is 90 points below his career average, but his on base percentage is only down 20 points. He's actually better when it comes to plate discipline. His strike outs are down, walks are up, and he's been playing baseball for a little over a month. I'll betcha his average goes up 50 or 60 points between now and August.

Came back to the Yankees in postseason shape. Can't hit to save his life!

He's still not NEARLY as terrible as Wang is. I'm only half kidding when I say I could pitch as well as Wang has this season.

**mplscyclone** · 06-23-2009, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

Yep, 10 consecutive All Star Games, 9 Gold Gloves and 7 Silver Sluggers...and the best to ever field his position...I can see your point.

Best ever 2b? Ok you are right.

Signed,

Eddie Collins, Bill Mazeroski, and Robbie Alomar.

**IcSyU** · 06-23-2009, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by mplscyclone

Best ever 2b? Ok you are right.

Signed,

Eddie Collins, Bill Mazeroski, and Robbie Alomar.

I'm assuming he means best ever career fielding percentage...which is in fact true.

fielding percentage@Everything2.com

**RayShimley** · 06-23-2009, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

If it's with the actual hip socket or bone, no. They wouldn't have helped at all. I'd actually guess it's that simply because generally muscles will heal over time. He's gotta have another surgery after the year so I'd guess there's something deeper. Depending on what's actually wrong, it's quite possible it will affect his hitting all year.

And terrible? Yeah, his batting average is brutal, but have you checked his on base percentage? His batting average is 90 points below his career average, but his on base percentage is only down 20 points. He's actually better when it comes to plate discipline. His strike outs are down, walks are up, and he's been playing baseball for a little over a month. I'll betcha his average goes up 50 or 60 points between now and August.

Came back to the Yankees in postseason shape. Can't hit to save his life!

He's still not NEARLY as terrible as Wang is. I'm only half kidding when I say I could pitch as well as Wang has this season.

True, his OBP is only 20 points below his career average, but his OPS and slugging are bother over 100 points behind. Let's be honest, A-rod isn't being paid 33 million a year to take walks.