Sosa set to move into new home

By wire services
Published February 3, 2005

BALTIMORE - Tapping his heart and thrusting both thumbs upward, Sammy Sosa stepped to the podium and flashed the broad smile Cubs fans know too well.

Sosa said he loved his 13 years with Chicago, yet he happily put that behind him Wednesday upon joining the Orioles.

"I gave Chicago everything that I have. It was a beautiful experience for my wife and family," he said. "I had a great time in Chicago, but you have to move on. This is my new house, and I love it."

Sosa, 36, joined Baltimore after commissioner Bud Selig approved the deal and the slugger passed his physical. Chicago received second baseman Jerry Hairston and two minor-leaguers, second baseman Mike Fontenot and right-hander Dave Crouthers.

The Cubs didn't waste any time finding a replacement for Sosa, agreeing to a $5-million, one-year contract with Jeromy Burnitz.

RAYS-YANKS SELL OUT: The Devil Rays announced the March 20 game against the Yankees at Progress Energy Park is sold out. It is the third spring sellout, after the March 15 and 26 games against the World Series champ Red Sox.

The team also increased its spring roster to 62 with invitations to catchers Paul Hoover and Dan Massiatte.

Hoover, 28, was signed as a free agent Aug. 14 after his release by the Expos and batted .296 in 16 games for Triple-A Durham with a home run and eight RBIs. He was the Rays' 23rd-round pick in the 1997 draft.

Massiatte, 26, a sixth-round choice in 2000, split last season between Durham and Double-A Montgomery and hit a combined .185 in 52 games with two home runs and 15 RBIs.

A'S: Catcher Landon Powell, a first-round pick last year, tore a left knee ligament while working out and will have surgery, sidelining him for spring training.

BLUE JAYS: Team owner Rogers Communications renamed SkyDome the Rogers Centre two days after completing the park's acquisition. Rogers said it will allocate $210-million for payroll over the next three years. The current payroll is about $50-million.

CARDINALS: General manager Walt Jocketty agreed to a three-year contract.

DODGERS: Third baseman Norihiro Nakamura, who played the past 12 years in Japan's Pacific League, agreed to a contract.

NATIONALS: Outfielder Jose Guillen, shortstop Cristian Guzman, starter Zach Day and closer Chad Cordero modeled their new jerseys at a downtown Washington restaurant. The jerseys were to be unveiled Dec. 16, but the event was postponed when the District of Columbia Council put the franchise's relocation from Montreal in doubt.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.

[Last modified February 3, 2005, 01:08:13]