Flashback #50: Sosa's Corked Bat (2003)

As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.

June 3, 2003 - Sammy Sosa's corked bat

To this point in his career, Sammy Sosa had hit 505 home runs, but on June 3, 2003, every one of them was put into question.

When Sosa stepped into the batter's box that day, he committed one of the biggest mistakes a Major League Baseball player could make -- he used a corked bat.

Sosa was ejected in the first inning by umpire Tim McClelland after he smacked a grounder to second base. When his bat broke, umpires found cork in his shattered bat.

The 34-year-old slugger immediately claimed it was an honest mistake.

"I use that bat for batting practice," he said after the game. "It's something that I take the blame for. It's a mistake, I know that. I feel sorry. I just apologize to everybody that are embarrassed. That's why I'm here right now, to explain that it was a mistake. I know that right now, anybody or somebody probably want to think whatever comes to their mind, but you know, I just picked the wrong bat.

"I don't really need to use that. I break so many bats in my life. But when you make a mistake like that, you got to stood up and be there for it. ... It's a mistake, and I take the blame for it."

The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »