Sosa's suspension reduced from eight to seven games

NEW YORK -- Sammy Sosa's suspension for using a corked bat was reduced Wednesday to seven games by major league baseball, which accepted his explanation that he simply made a mistake.

The appeal of the eight-game suspension by the Chicago Cubs' slugger was heard Tuesday in Baltimore. The suspension begins with the Cubs' game Wednesday night against the Orioles.

"I am convinced of the sincerity of Sosa's explanation and his contrition," said Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer. "In my opinion, his candor and the promptness of his apology on the night of June 3 were exemplary.

"However, at the end of the day, each player must be accountable for his own equipment complying with the rules, whether the violation is deliberate or inadvertent."

Sosa, one of the game's great home run hitters, had been suspended for using a corked bat during a game against Tampa Bay on June 3 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Since his ejection, he has played in six games.

"The suspensions over the past 20 years for the use of an illegal bat have ranged from seven to 10 games," DuPuy said. "Given the circumstances of this case, I felt that the lower end of the range was the most appropriate."

Sosa was suspended by Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charge of discipline. The appeal allowed Sosa to play until a ruling was made.

He was ejected against the Devil Rays when his bat shattered after hitting a ground ball and umpires discovered cork halfway up the handle of the bat.

Tests on 76 bats taken from Sosa's locker found no foreign substances, and five of his bats at the Hall of Fame were also determined to be clean. Sosa said he mistakenly grabbed a bat he uses for batting practice and used it in the game. He insists he's never knowingly used anything illegal.

Chicago went 10-7 without Sosa last month while he was on the disabled list after surgery on his big toe. Now he will be out of the lineup next week when the Cubs follow a three-game interleague series against Toronto with a four-game road trip against Cincinnati.

The discovery that Sosa used a corked bat sparked a national debate about cheating in sports. He's not the first player to get caught or admit using a corked bat, but he's certainly the biggest name.

Wilton Guerrero, the last player caught with a corked bat before Sosa, was penalized eight games.

Many players were skeptical of Sosa's explanation, but he has received strong support from his home fans, drawing cheers as he made his usual sprint to right field.

Sosa helped baseball's image in the past five seasons, with his infectious smile, buoyant personality and prodigious homers. His duel with Mark McGwire in 1998 captivated the nation.

He is the only player to hit 60 or more homers in three seasons, with 66 in 1998, 63 in 1999 and 64 in 2001. He's 17th on the career list with 505 homers. And at 34, many believe he'll have a chance to surpass Hank Aaron's record of 755.