Sosa’s Swing Off the Mark

Sammy Sosa went 0 for 4 against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, striking out three times and flying out once in the Cubs’ 6-5 victory.

After the game, the ever-gracious Sosa sounded the refrain he’s sounded all season: “Let’s talk about Mark,” he said. “He’s the man. I feel real happy for Mark.”

The Reds’ pitchers simply threw him excellent pitches, Sosa said, and he had difficulty protecting the corners of the plate.

“I’m going to come back tomorrow and have a great game,” he predicted. Then, with a smile, he added: “If I had a home run every time I went to the plate, do you know how many I’d have right now?”

The pursuit of Roger Maris’ record has transcended traditional baseball rivalries, and 38,223 fans at Wrigley Field cheered when it was announced before the top of the fourth inning that McGwire had hit No. 56.

When word came in the middle of the fourth that McGwire had hit yet another homer, the Wrigley crowd gave him a rousing ovation.