Bigger, buffer Sosa arrives at Cubs' training camp

MESA, Ariz. -- Playful and powerful, Sammy Sosa arrived at spring training Monday and immediately created a stir in both the clubhouse and on the practice fields.

In his first batting practice session of the spring, a muscular Sosa looked in midseason form, sending 11 homers over the fence to the delight of souvenir-chasing fans in a parking lot across the street.

"It doesn't take long for me to get ready to hit. I'm not the type of player who takes three or four weeks to get ready, I'm ready to go right now," said Sosa, who reported later than his Chicago Cubs teammates, but one day ahead of the mandatory date.

Minutes before his hitting session, Sosa invited 6-year-old Reiana Jones inside the practice field, where she gave him a ceramic candle with his name on it and he signed a plastic bat for her.

And when Sosa switched fields on a spectacular 80-degree day, the fans engulfed him, slapping him on the back and yelling his name.

Sosa arrived Monday morning with typical fanfare and TV cameras rolling.

"Good morning America. I'm in the house," Sosa said as he greeted his teammates.

Sosa shook hands and exchanged hugs, laughing all the way. Minutes later, the boom box in front of his locker was sending loud, pulsating music across the clubhouse.

It was as if a party had suddenly broken out in the early morning.

"It's like the first day of spring training all over again," rookie Bobby Hill said.

After greeting new teammate Moises Alou, whom he helped recruit, and giving another hug to manager Don Baylor, Sosa pulled on his uniform and began testing a new bat in front of his locker, which is adjacent to Alou's.

"Moises is a friend of mine. We played together a long time ago in the Dominican Republic in winter ball. Our relationship is very good. We talked a long time ago that maybe one day we can play together," Sosa said.

"Right now I feel more comfortable having Freddie (McGriff) and Moises hitting behind me. I've never had that before. They are probably going to pitch to me more because we have two great hitters behind me," Sosa said.

As he went to the field for stretching, a clowning Sosa emerged with a large umbrella bearing the name of an athletic apparel company.

Sosa's 2001 season was nothing to laugh at. It was one the best of his career, overshadowed by Barry Bonds' record-setting 73-homer performance.

"Barry Bonds, that's an unbelievable talent right there," Sosa said.

"Roger Maris hits 61 and it takes 37 years. Mark McGwire hits 70 and it took about two or three years."

Sosa had 64 homers last season, becoming the first player to reach 60 three times. He batted .328 and led the majors in RBIs (160), runs (146), total bases (425) and intentional walks (37). He set team records in total bases, extra-base hits (103) and slugging percentage (.737).

And he was at his best down the stretch, hitting 24 homers, batting .385 and driving in 55 runs during the final 48 games.

Entering his 11th season with the Cubs, Sosa has missed just 11 games in the last five years.

"With Sammy, you expect those type numbers," Baylor said, looking forward to Thursday's exhibition opener. "He has to get his swing conditioned and he might be able to play."

Sosa admitted carrying a couple of extra pounds with him to spring training.

"I feel great, I feel really healthy and I'm in shape. I'm strong, I'm not fat," he said.

Strong enough to challenge Bonds' home run record?

"I have a lot of potential to do it, but right now I'm not thinking about it. I'm thinking we have a great team. I'm not a selfish player and swinging every at-bat for a home run."

The Cubs led the NL Central for nearly four months last season before fading in the final seven weeks. They finished with 88 wins.

"This year we have a chance to win, we have a chance for the first time in my career with the Chicago Cubs organization to have a great team," Sosa said.

Notes: Baylor said Jason Bere is to start Thursday's exhibition opener against the Giants. Kerry Wood and Jon Lieber are to start the following two games. ... Alou still is not able to take batting practice because of a sore side.