Sammy Sosa said Thursday he was not upset by criticism of his ill-timed home-run hop Tuesday night and vowed to continue hopping the rest of his career.
“This is your job, guys, you can write whatever you want,” Sosa said. “I’m the one who plays the game.”
Sosa was thrown out at second after prematurely hopping on what he thought was a home run. He had jogged out of the batter’s box and was tossed out after the ball caromed off the right-field wall. He was credited with an RBI single.
Sosa said he believes criticism of the play was overblown, even though Cubs manager Dusty Baker conceded that “it didn’t look good.”
The problem was not so much the hop itself as Sosa’s jog. Sosa said he wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’ve been doing the hop for 14 years,” he said. “You want me to change it now?”
Sosa laughed. “Like I said, this is my style, and I’m going to keep it, like it or not,” he said.
Sosa’s not the only one whose “style” has drawn criticism.
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox–His rather deliberate gait after a home run allows the pitcher to admire his handiwork. It’s a mystery how teammate Nixon got dibs on the nickname “Trot.”
Dikembe Mutombo, Houston Rockets–The shot-blocker likes to wag a finger now and then. Just be glad its not the longest one.
Desmond Howard–The former Green Bay Packer and Michigan star struck the Heisman pose after a touchdown against Ohio State in 1991–before he won the trophy. Of course, Washington’s Mario Bailey flaunted the same move in front of Howard and his teammates when the Huskies crushed the Wolverines to win a co-national championship.
Deion Sanders–Think his high-stepping antics aren’t meant to show up the other team? He’s not aerobicizing out there, people.
Mark Gastineau–The former Jet’s sack dance after sacking the Rams’ Vince Ferragamo started a brawl that led to 37 ejections and $15,750 in fines. The NFL then outlawed such dances.
The throat slash–Defensive backs and college basketball players loved this move before it was outlawed. The gesture was even nicknamed “The O.J.,” making a crude reference to the gory circumstances of the Simpson trial.
Emmitt Smith–The NFL slaps penalties now on anybody who takes off his helmet, but ol’ Emmitt’s from Florida, and we’re sure he just needed the AC.
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye.
