Sammy's smile just a thin disguise

We are spectators of a baseball world that is becoming dangerously tilted toward offense. The Questec System is making strike zones smaller. Owners are building stadium fences closer. And players are somehow getting stronger. Players are looking for an edge, because in this age the best of the best are separated by a Sammy Sosa bat splinter.

A player's mental state controls everything, and when a player is slumping he'll try anything. Sosa has been slumping ever since he was ear-holed and since he's come off the DL.

It's not too convenient that the Devil Rays sent Jeremi Gonzalez, a former Sosa teammate, to the mound on that infamous day last week. And while cork doesn't affect the flight of the ball, according to physicists, it does allow hitters to get around on the fastball quicker. Gonzalez has given up 30 career home runs; 16 came in 23 games for the 1997 Cubs.

Maybe Sosa used a corked bat only once. We'll never know, but evidence is proving that story. It takes only one time, though, for people to see you differently.

The moment that infamous bat went spraying across the infield, Sosa's fate was sealed. He will never overcome this. It will be the cartoon rain cloud that hangs over his head and his stats forever.

What a sad position for baseball's most marketable player, with his flashy smiles and his feel-good story, to be in. I don't feel sympathy toward Corkin' Sammy because he grabbed the wrong bat. I feel sorry for him because he thinks he has to put on "a show" for the fans at batting practice, and he thinks that excuse will prop up his already crumbling reputation. What is sad is that in many of his own fans' minds, his million-dollar smile is only a thin disguise now because he is, by definition, a cheater.

You don't need to cheat to get a sneak peak at your week ahead:

Thursday

I met Scott Mellanby of the Blues at The Eagles concert last week. He only stood up during intermission, but he crushed my hand when he shook it and made me feel about 5 years old. Now you have your own chance to meet some players. It's BYOC (Bring Your Own Camera) night at Auto Zone Park in Memphis. Players and coaches will be available to fans before the game from 6 to 6:25 p.m. Then the Redbirds face the Iowa Cubs at 7:05.

Friday

First Baptist Church of Harvester is sponsoring a Giveaway Night before the River City Rascals' game, but no one told me what they're giving away. The first 1,000 fans will receive ... something. It's also Christian Family Night, and youth groups will stay for a lock-in after the Rascals play the Evansville Otters. Call the Rascals Hotline (636-379-WINS) for details on the lock-in and for tickets: (636) 240-BATS.

Saturday

Instead of the rodeo, how about minor-league baseball? It's Keystone Hat night, and kids run the bases night for the Gateway Grizzlies. The who? The Grizz play in Sauget, Ill., outside of St. Louis at GMC Stadium. Of course, Sauget, Ill., isn't exactly a hotspot for family entertainment, but Bull Durham isn't exactly a baseball movie either. For tickets call (618) 337-3000, for directions visit: www.gatewaygrizzlies.com.

Take your children (if they're from age 6 to 12) to the Memphis Explorers football clinic at 1 p.m. and receive a ticket to the game that night. The team will host a clinic at the De Soto Civic Center, and the cost is $25 per participant. Call 662-280-3737 for information.

Down the road

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series comes to Memphis Motorsports Park June 21.

David Wilson is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School. His column appears every Monday.