So So Sosa
More than in any other sport, numbers — not words — recount baseball’s history. Each numerical record tells a story: 755 reflects Hank Aaron’s grace under the pressure of racism; Pete Rose’s 4,192 hits illustrate a compulsive gambler’s successful chase to unseat a despicable racist from baseball’s record books. That’s why the suspicion of performance-enhancing drugs is such a damaging scandal. If doubt tarnishes baseball’s record books, it damages baseball’s most valuable commodity: history. One of those facing the raised eyebrows of baseball’s fans, Sammy Sosa, comes to Kauffman Stadium (Interstate 70 and Blue Ridge Cutoff) this week. Tonight begins a three-game series between the Royals and the Texas Rangers. Despite becoming only the fifth player to hit 600 home runs, Sosa’s feats meet indifference or disdain from fans. Reasons for this reaction include a previous suspension for the use of a corked bat and his convenient (and sudden) inability to understand English during congressional hearings on steroid use. Tickets cost $8 to $32. Call 816-504-4040.
