If Sammy Sosa is trying to ingratiate himself to fans still upset with him for his alleged cheating, he may be going about it the wrong way.
During a Skype interview with former Cubs media relations manager Chuck Blogerstrom on Tuesday, the former Chicago Cubs slugger compared himself to Jesus Christ and inferred no one had heard of Chicago until he came along.
Sosa, who had seasons in which he hit 66, 63 and 64 home runs, was caught with a corked bat in 2003, and he reportedly tested positive for steroids in the same year.
So, how does Sosa feel about fans who still look down on him for these things?
"Chuck, it's like Jesus Christ when he came to Jerusalem," Sosa said. "Everybody thought Jesus Christ was a witch (laughing) -- and he was our savior. So if they talk (expletive) about Jesus Christ, what about me? Are you kidding me?"
Later in the interview, when asked about the tumultuous end to his 13-year run in Chicago that ended with him being traded out of town, Sosa made quite a claim about the third most populous city in the United States -- the city where Michael Jordan began his NBA career in years before Sosa arrived.
"I should have handled that situation differently, yes indeed. I recognize my mistake," he said. "But look, I have my pride, and I know I had a tremendous career in Chicago.
"When nobody knew who Chicago was, I put Chicago on the map. Like you said, if I could have done it again, I would have done it differently. The only thing we cannot do is turn back time."
Sosa hit 609 home runs in his career -- only seven players hit more -- and 545 of those came in a Cubs uniform. Still, the claims the 48-year-old made Tuesday probably won't do much to change the minds of his detractors, including those who cheer for the Cubbies.
