BALTIMORE, Feb. 2 -- Sammy Sosa was not allowed to leave Chicago so easily. He had come to Baltimore to begin a new chapter of his life, yet his legacy with the Cubs tugged at him. He was eager to become an Oriole. He will likely forever be linked with the Cubs.
The Orioles' trade of Jerry Hairston and two minor league players for Sosa and cash finally became official on Wednesday. Sosa, seventh on the all-time home run list and the only player to hit 60 or more home runs three times in a career, took a team physical and spoke with owner Peter Angelos for about 30 minutes before being introduced at a news conference at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The Orioles officially welcome Sammy Sosa to the team Wednesday night.
(Gail Burton - AP)
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| _____ Orioles Deal for Sosa _____
• Analysis: The Chicago Cubs are happy to see Sammy Sosa leave.
• Bud Selig approves trade of Sosa to the Orioles and a passing physical will finalize the deal.
• Baltimore's trade for Sosa smacks of owner Peter Angelos's disastrous signing of Albert Belle back in 1998.
• Thomas Boswell: Embarrased Orioles, beleaguered Sosa are meant for each other.
• Sosa would likely have a one-year deal with the Orioles.
• The Orioles are close to completing a trade of Jerry Hairston and prospects for Sosa and cash.
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| _____ Trading Spaces _____
Note: This is an unscientific survey of washingtonpost.com readers.
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Sosa spent the majority of that time answering questions about his contentious departure from Chicago. A distant relationship with Manager Dusty Baker and an early departure from the Cubs' final game in 2004 had pushed Sosa out of Chicago.
"I spent 13 years in Chicago," Sosa said. "That was one of the most beautiful 13 years of my life. I gave Chicago everything I had. I had a great time in Chicago. I'm going to take Chicago in my heart. I love you. But now we have to move on. This is my new home and I love it."
The Orioles will pay Sosa $8.85 million of the $25 million owed him this season, which includes a $4.5 million buyout of his contract for 2006 and a $3.5 million termination fee.
Sosa is only 26 home runs shy of 600 and he will likely get to that mark as an Oriole, though he is only under contract for one season. The two sides have expressed some interest in an extension, though there have been no talks yet.
"I just got here," Sosa said when asked if he had considered an extension.
The Orioles' pursuit of Sosa began at the winter meetings in December but at first the club was not aggressive, still hoping to add a big hitter through free agency. Baltimore soon learned, though, that the free agent market had effectively priced them out.
Richie Sexson was an option, but only at the right price. He signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the Seattle Mariners during the winter meetings before the Orioles made a competitive bid.
Baltimore pined for first baseman Carlos Delgado, a left-handed hitter they believed would thrive at Camden Yards, but moved slowly, offering him a three-year, $25 million deal in early December.
They did not make another offer until almost a month and a half later. By that time Delgado had gained many suitors and his price had inflated. Baltimore's final offer of four years, $48 million seemed a last gasp. Days prior to Baltimore's final bid, Delgado had turned down an identical offer from the Texas Rangers.
A day after losing out on Delgado, the team once again turned its attention to Sosa, whose popularity in Chicago had reached an incredible low. Once considered an icon equal to Ernie Banks and Michael Jordan, Sosa's popularity plummeted. During a January fan fest, attendees booed a tape of Sosa.
"I'm not going to go through the details," Sosa said. "Everybody that knows baseball knows it was time to leave. I'm happy. I have a new manager. I have a new team."
The Cubs and Orioles, both moved more by desperation than by need, became an unlikely match.
"I think there was some frustration in the winter time," Manager Lee Mazzilli said. "I think we answered the call."
In addition to Hairston, the Orioles also included two prospects -- second baseman Mike Fontenot and right-handed pitcher Dave Crouthers.
Sosa instantly becomes the team's most feared power hitter since Albert Belle joined the team prior to the 1999 season, and perhaps its biggest clubhouse presence since Cal Ripken Jr. Much has been made of Sosa's decline the past few years, but his 35 home runs last season would have led the Orioles. He has already deferred a leadership role to Miguel Tejada, who was undoubtedly the most respected player in the clubhouse last year.
"He is the leader," Sosa said. "I just got here."
