Sammy Sosa and PR

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 12:52 PM CDT

Well Hicks already said he wont released Sosa.
and I am happy with that as many are here.
I know Adam and others are only about stats.

Texas is just trying to sign more dominican propects. They have a new academy over here.

If you think that is just coincidence that the most popular MLB teams (in Dominican Rep.) are the teams that get the best dominican propects, you know nothing. Those guys love to be a MET (because of Omar Minaya, Pedro Martinez, Jose Reyes, etc.); a Red Sox because of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, a Yankee because of A-ROD and Robinson Cano; a Dodger just because is one the most dominican friendly franchise, etc, etc.
They take less money to sign with a dominican friendly team than other. See Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez with the Mets. For an unpopular team here to get those guys they would had to really overpay what what NYM paid (too much).

Japanese teams come here to sign players (OVER PAYING MLB teams), and boys here ONLY sign if that is the ONLY OPTION. They wait and wait and wait for a MLB opportunity. Just because they want to be the next Sammy Sosa or Albert Pujols and be treated like idols here. It is not only money there.

I remember some few years ago when a neibor just signed with Milwaukee, he was ok because he got the chance... but he told, hey man, no dominican there, no history. I mean he was not happy, just signed because they put the money. If not other team saw something special in him, you know he is not a premium prospect.

Releasing Sammy Sosa, an icon here. The one people see as the next Hall of famer here, would dramatically abort the Texas plan to get cheap good propects from this side.

Dominican Republic just have ONE, UNO, 1 Hall of famer Juan Marichal (and it was via the veteran commitee) And if you just count how many dominican super stars had played, that is nothing.

This year at least 2 or 3 Rangers games are broadcasted in national TV Weekly. That is not because people like to see Wilkerson, or they dont want to see Albert Pujols with the Cards, they just want anything Sammy, and Texas is getting fans.

Just to treat him well with respect...not to release him and just let him finish the year: DH, in the bench, pinch hitting, what ever.

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Then...

should we resign him to play next year?

by chase1971 on Aug 1, 2007 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

I said:

"Just to treat him well with respect...not to release him and just let him finish the year: DH, in the bench, pinch hitting, what ever."

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

that is an interesting take

to say the least...

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

This is an interesting perspective...

by JBImaknee on Aug 1, 2007 12:46 PM CDT reply actions

then why dont we send his .200 OBP

to the Dominican as a represenative of the team, and he can underwhelm all the people over there also.

by M_Y_isDANK on Aug 1, 2007 12:51 PM CDT reply actions

I'm fine with him staying on the roster

as long as Botts gets the at-bats. It does short-change the team until rosters expand in September.

by mattrpav on Aug 1, 2007 12:56 PM CDT reply actions

Nice take

I really do think that when JD said he was flying to Cleveland and immediately avoided the following Sosa questions he is going there to let Sosa know that we aren't going to release him unless he asks and that he isn't going to play anymore except as a pinch hitter against a lefty every once in awhile.

I also think its crazy to have 3 catchers. The organization went a different direction after the Melhouse trade and we need to cut him loose.

One last thing, I've heard many say that it might be Wilkerson thats DFA. You still need a 1B if salty catches so I think Hairston is a much better candidate. But they both suck this year I'll give you that.

by corbsclinton on Aug 1, 2007 12:57 PM CDT reply actions

Laird or Cat

can play first base.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Aug 1, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Arod

is far from dominican

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Aug 1, 2007 12:58 PM CDT reply actions

that is a hot topic.. the AROD thing

But he clearly feels dominican...
but remember who country pays him.
and by the way... He learned to play HERE not there when living here... and in his blood in dominican 100%.. His father was a great amateur baseball guy here.. so it is not like he learned how to play in high school there.
It is a really hot hot topic here... if you ask him... he will tell he is latino dominican...
if it money/marketing related... he is amarican..
and I undertand him.. I would do the same...
People here wanted to killed him after he represented USA in the WB Classic...but he explains that same thing.... It´s cool to be american...
and any way... there are double citizenship in Dominican Republic.. so you dont lose the citizenship if you got another, UNLESS you resign to it.. and he haven´t resign to Dominican Citizenship.

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm

Does that mean he has diplomatic immunity?

Obviously you're not a golfer.

by chief on Aug 1, 2007 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

If that's the case

CJ should explain to him the full scope of diplomatic immunity and have a real night on the town.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Aug 1, 2007 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

good take

that makes a lot of sense. all you heard from cruz when he came on board was how much he idolized sosa. one would have to think that this extends much further into the latin american leagues. sammy on board for a while isnt a bad thing, if the younger guys get their at bats.

by rangerfannumberouno on Aug 1, 2007 12:59 PM CDT reply actions

well

maybe "far from" is a bad choice of words but when you go through that much melodrama in deciding where to play in the pointless WBC and you don't pick DR, I really dont' think you can consider yourself Dominican.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Aug 1, 2007 1:07 PM CDT reply actions

You can always just cut Wilkerson

to keep Sosa. I don't think there is a nation in the world that would care if you cut Wilkerson. Considering they hit about the same, and with Salty at 1B there is no reason to have him, I have no idea why Wilkerson isn't released today.

by DJCahill on Aug 1, 2007 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

he plays the game the right way

seriously, i think that is part of it

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Aug 1, 2007 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think so

because if the team played ball the right way, they would win, according to Jean Jacques Taylor. They aren't winning, so I'm pretty sure Wilkerson isn't playing ball the right way.

by DJCahill on Aug 1, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Cut Wilky

Botts can DH and play 1b on the days Salts catches. Laird can play some OF against lefties for Cat.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Aug 1, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

WHY IN THE HELL

would you cut Wilk and not Sosa, that maybe the dumbest thing ever spoken since the begining of time, i know it is impossible to prove that, but i think that it would win.. yea probably

by M_Y_isDANK on Aug 1, 2007 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Because

they hit about the same, and the only possible advantage to Wilk is that he can play 1B. Of course just about any idiot in baseball can play 1B for a non contending team.

There's maybe 10-20 points of OPS difference between the two. That is statistically irrelevent.

by DJCahill on Aug 1, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

well the idiot

on the end of our bench with SOSA on his back cant do it. DFA his "baeball has been very good to me ass"

by M_Y_isDANK on Aug 1, 2007 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm sure Sosa would do it

if he were asked to do it. It's not like Defense at 1B is going to make or break the rest of the season.

by DJCahill on Aug 1, 2007 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I will refer

you to the rather lengthy thread above my post that you just so eloquently overreacted to. It may be too much reading for you so I will summarize. Engelsol brought up a new perspective on dealing with Sosa and why we may not want to release him. The majority of the comments in response have been posts throwing out possible solutions that would avoid us losing standing with the Dominican people. There is also a large number of posts debating the nationality of Alex Rodriguez. You may know him by ARod or some other name that keeps you from have to write big words. There is also a large number of posts discussing Sosa's choice of using an interpreter in front of Congress. You may not like me for some reason, but try reading a little closer and consider the entire thread before you choose to insult me.

Thank you, for wasting my time. Your welcome for the summary.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Aug 1, 2007 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I really appreciate the post

And I do understand the basis for the thinking. There is real, tanglible love for beisbol in the DR. Hard to imaging more enthusiasm (or more accurate criticism) than when sitting and watching a game in La Romana or San Pedro de Macoris. I certainly loved it there.

Time does funny things. The worst of which is, it keeps moving when you don't.

by Ed Coffin on Aug 1, 2007 1:33 PM CDT reply actions

very interesting perspective

AJ, CJ, and BJ will be signing autographs at JC Penney's later today - Evan Grant

by cgolden on Aug 1, 2007 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

Sosa and not speaking english in congress

People... I see how everywhere people make jokes about sosa no comprende ingles, etc etc etc in the congress and take that as a proof of the steroid thing.

But.. for some of you who speaks spanish fluently...
have you ever heard Sammy Sosa speak spanish for a while?
Men... the guy have communication and articulation problems... IN SPANISH...his language.
People here use to make jokes about Samy Sosa talking like a not educated man.

Sammy Sosa can read and write (not so well) NOTHING more than that. We are talking about someone signed by Omar Minaya being a poor dominican boy that the only thing that did well was to bat and run (and wash cars and clean shoes).

So when I see people accusing just because he refer to his lawyer for the talking it is not fair. Everyone in the same situation would do the same.. you are asking a not educated guy to testify in front a congress.

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 1:35 PM CDT reply actions

up to now I have been with you

but the "no comprende" BS was a cop out.

Im not saying it is an admission of guilt, but the dude knew what he was getting into and still tucked his tail.

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

there is a difference

between uneducated and mentally retarded. Sosa is not the latter and I would think it takes a lot of street smarts to make it in the Majors. He was smart enough to know what was going on.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Aug 1, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

that is the thing

I dont know the exact word in english..
but Here we call him a BRUTO guy, That is how I would describe him. I repeat the guy have seriuos communication problem.

I have watched I think all sammy interviews since he debuted here with one local team (rookie of the year by the way), and he is the same guy.

He began to change a little when became rich and contracted a consultant, here he does nothing without him (the fatty guy that was jumping in TV when sammy slamped the 600 with the samy family).

If a guy with 38 years cannot talk fluently in spanish for important thing and relay in another consultant.. what about in english.

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

so he...

couldn't have taken this consultant with him when he had a meeting with congress?

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

havnt you heard him in interviews and press

conferences?

he spoke fluently and while he doesnt strike you as the most articulate guy you've ever met he didnt sound incompetent, he just sounded like a normal ballplayer.

by DShep on Aug 1, 2007 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah

he was pretty much always "happy" and "cited"

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

you got a problem with being happy =) ?

ok, maybe i exaggerated a bit, but honestly... i did not get the idea he couldnt speak for himself when i listened to him.

by DShep on Aug 1, 2007 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

what I mean

Sammy is a BIG little kid.
Sometimes he try to talk like a polite person, educated one..
you can only understand that when you listen to him in spanish, you will notice that he try to use words that are not in his normal vocabulary and many times confuse them.
In spanish after every frase he says "Tu comprende?"
As if trying to be sure that people understand what he is saying.
That means he is fishing words... and many times FOOT IN IT!
If that is in spanish... what about a second language! The thing is that english in not his language and people there asume everything he said are rock.

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

In conference?

He just talk like in Radio Tape..
He just answer:

1) - What he before was told to answer
In that case he try to be more educated and polite than Shakespeare, use to repeat the same words over and over.

2) - What the hell arrives to his head
(and there come the problem sometimes)

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

if i had to go to trial

in a country even if i was fluent in another language i would get a translator just to make sure i didnt say something that was taken the wrong way. Sammy did the right thing and the same thing that anyones lawyer would i assume advise them to do.

by dubman @ Lone Star Ball on Aug 1, 2007 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions

a-rod

is an american. He may be dominican decent but he never lived there, never played there, hes not dominican. He will be the best hitter of all time when his carreer ends and i dont really see what the dominican republic had to do with that other than his parrents getting it on in america.

by dubman @ Lone Star Ball on Aug 1, 2007 1:48 PM CDT reply actions

check your source

A-Rod infancy was in Dominican Republic..
She came back to the country when she divorce from A-Rod father...
They live some 7-8 years here.. WHERE he started to play baseball... everybody knows that man...

He then went back to USA and CONTINUE playing. what he started here.

And he doesnt have a good relation now with his father.. but before the divorce, the father was the one motivating him to play baseball, he was an star of amateur baseball here. He even represented the country in international games.

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

wiki

Alex Rodriguez was born in the Washington Heights section of New York City. When he was four, Rodriguez moved with his parents to their native Dominican Republic. After the family moved to Miami, Florida, three years later, Rodriguez's father announced his intention to move back north to New Jersey for a short time. He never returned, abandoning Rodriguez and his mother.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Rodriguez#Early_life

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

well Washington Heights

According to the census... Washington Heights it is something like a Dominican City... if you know.. :-)

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

forgot to mention

A-Rod play one year in our winter league AS DOMINICAN Player, in the same local team as Sammy here (Leones del Escogido). Alex didnt performed well though...
Many future stars fail here (Mark McGuire was released)

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

on a side note

since sammy has hit 600 and pretty much cant do anything more to get in the hall of fame than he already has... we should just make him a latin american scout. How many bad ass players could he convince to sign here.

by dubman @ Lone Star Ball on Aug 1, 2007 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

apparently

apparently he wouldn't be able to communicate with them...

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

that is right

I dont see Sammy Scouting. After retirement I see him just as a diplomatic face, golf tournaments, big parties (sammy organize every year one the big party here with many Hollywood people and business guys like Donald Trump), perhaps investing as owner of a dominican baseball team in the winter ( he wanted to buy one few years ago); and Real Estate..
That is Sammy... ah perhaps in a movie with Vin Diesel ( better if not talking) :-)

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Sosa

Sosa and Vin Diesel should do a movie where they team up to fight Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer.

The movie would make more money than the annual GNP of the US, India, China, and Russia combined in the first week. If Sam Jackson did the narration, God would weep, because he's never made anything that awesome.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Aug 1, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

interesting

Never even considered that take - Guess that's very american of me :) Makes me feel ever so slightly better about seeing a few more Sosa ks

by bushe on Aug 1, 2007 1:55 PM CDT reply actions

Side note

I believe every word of engelsol's attribution of Sammy's communication skills, even if in part it's rationalizing. Unless you've spent time in the DR, you may fail to understand that there are communication differences there just a significant as Georgia, New Jersey, Boston and Minnesota accents in English.

Heck, look at Juan Dominguez ... also bruto ... even other rural Dominicans had trouble understanding him, and English was just guesswork.

Time does funny things. The worst of which is, it keeps moving when you don't.

by Ed Coffin on Aug 1, 2007 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

right.

i buy into the fact that communication between varying types of Spanish is tough, but I don't buy it as an excuse as to why he could not answer questions when in front of the subcommittee.

by jasun on Aug 1, 2007 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Fluent

I am fluent in German, but if the German government called me to testify in front of them I would be scared to death and would probably say I didn't understand them. There is a big difference between answering a beat reporters questions and answering questions in front of Congress where if you make one slip up, you could be prosecuted and would be in deep trouble. They should have given him the option of answering the questions in Spanish and having a translator.

by uthornfan on Aug 1, 2007 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

because

because if he is not sure of himself when speaking spanish and have to confirm after every frase with "Tu comprendes?" (Do you understand me)..
I guess he was less more sure about talking into legal matters in front of congress and in english.

If not that he forget to speak english, is about insecurity...

by engelsol on Aug 1, 2007 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Here is an idea

If I understand the rules of sending a veteran player to the minors (that is a big if), then the Rangers could send Sosa down to AAA if he agrees to it. If we make the promise to Sosa that we will bring him back up when we expand the roster in Sept. We make the promise public so that Sosa will believe us. We explain to him that we don't want to embarrass him and that we respect him for his career and thank him for what he has done for us this year. This way the people in the DR will see that the business side of baseball just does not allow for the Rangers to hold Botts back any longer. If Sosa is the humble and team player that he has portrayed this year I think he has to understand the predicament the Rangers are in.

Honestly, can Sosa or anyone really think less of the Rangers if they have to release. We were the only team that gave him a shot, we gave him all the at bats he could stand, he hit in the middle of our order despite his lack of production, we celebrated his 600th home run, and how can he think he should be in our lineup when there was not a single team that would give us anything for him. I think the Rangers should have already earned some fans in the Dominican because without the Rangers giving Sosa a spot he would have sat out this year ending his career and he would have never gotten to 600 home runs.

I understand the iconic status that Sosa has and the DR resenting us if treated Sosa poorly, but we have done more for him this year than any other team was willing to do.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Aug 1, 2007 3:46 PM CDT reply actions

PR value

I suggested a while back that they should try to convince Sosa to retire gracefully and become a front office person for them, and a liason for their burdgeoning efforts in Latin America, and, obviously, especially the DR. His icon status there gives him a way to perpetuate his legacy and the Rangers a leg up on recruiting efforts.

I think he has no place on the roster right now unless he's only at the plate against lefties, and even then not very many times, to give the young players a chance. But if he sticks on the roster and acts as a tutor to Botts and the rest, then he can nicely segue into the PR/recruiting icon role I've described above. That would be smart for both him and the Rangers.

mmmmmm...64 slices of American cheese...

by t ball on Aug 1, 2007 4:11 PM CDT reply actions