ESPN.com - Sosa gets $72M extension

He finally got his deal: $72 million over 4 years.  Of course, its really only a two year extension, since he has an out clause that pays him $1.75 million if he leaves then, or $3.5 million if he leaves after three.  All in all, it’s a pretty plumb deal for Slammin’ Sammy.

At the press conference he said:

“When I retire, I’m going to retire with a Chicago Cubs hat to the Hall of Fame.”

He’ll make it in for sure, because of the fame he’s attained, but its strange to look at his career.  He’s peaked big time at 29-31, which is a little, but not outstandingly, late.  His most similiar through age list includes 4 HOFers (Kiner, Snider, Killebrew, Reggie Jackson), 2 current players who’ll get in (Canseco and Barry Bonds), 2 stars of the 80’s who seemed like shoe-ins during their peaks (Murphy and Rice), Bobby Bonds and Rocky Colavito.  That’s a pretty impressive list. Unless he completely falters, like Murphy or Colavito, from now on, he’ll probably even be a legitimate candidate everyone’s book and warrant a first ballot induction.