Sosa’s Foundation Said to Be Near Bankruptcy

Sammy Sosa’s charitable foundation in the Dominican Republic is near bankruptcy, and the Chicago Cub outfielder hardly has given it any cash, Fortune magazine reports.

Sosa gave a building, appraised at $2.7 million, to the not-for-profit foundation, earning a federal tax deduction of at least $1 million, the magazine said.

While the magazine said there is no evidence Sosa has given the foundation a significant amount of cash, Fortune said Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals, his home-run rival, contributed $100,000.

The magazine said many tenants in the building, including Sosa’s sisters, didn’t pay rent. The sisters run a boutique, a disco and a beauty shop in the building, Fortune said.

Chase Kaufman, a member of the foundation’s board, said he once bought Sosa’s brother, Jose, a sports car with money from the foundation, according to the magazine.

The foundation is inoculating children, educating young mothers and providing dental care.

Adam Katz, one of Sosa’s agents, told the magazine, “I can virtually assure you that there has been no impropriety.”

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Only hours before the first pitch of the Florida Marlins’ season, Gov. Jeb Bush said he would veto a cruise tax proposal to help finance a new ballpark, leaving its future in doubt.

A $4-a-day tax on cruise ship passengers posed too much of a threat to the industry, which pumps millions into the Miami-area economy and employs an estimated 6,700 people, Bush said.

Marlin owner John Henry envisioned a $400-million stadium in downtown Miami with a retractable dome, 38,000 seats and a view of Biscayne Bay. He hoped to have the park ready for the 2003 season.

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Injuries eased the decision-making process for the Arizona Diamondbacks as they reduced their roster to 25 for today’s season opener. Infielder Luis Ordaz will report to triple-A Tucson if another major league club doesn’t claim him within 48 hours. Those surviving the cut include, 40-year-old right-hander Mike Morgan, infielder Danny Klassen, right-handed reliever Byung-Hyun Kim and outfielder David Dellucci. . . . Sterling Hitchcock nearly missed his chance to start opening day. Cleveland was close to acquiring the left-hander but needed to complete another trade, to clear some salary in order to take on Hitchcock’s deal. Hitchcock yielded one run in 6 1/3 innings and got a no-decision in the Padres’ 2-1 loss to the Mets. . . . Florida purchased the contracts of right-hander Ricky Bones and outfielder Mark Smith and designated for assignment right-hander Jared Camp and outfielder Derrick Gibson. Smith arrived Monday in Miami, dressed for pregame drills, and then asked a group of reporters, “How do I get to the field?” . . . John Allen, the Cincinnati Reds’ chief operating officer, confirmed the club already has sold about 2 million tickets, its total for all of last season.