The bat that helped hasten an end to the love affair between baseball fans and Sammy Sosa–or at least half of it–is about to be sold.
Nearing the end of his career, Sosa was ejected in the first inning of a game on June 3, 2003 against Tampa Bay after his bat broke and the umpiring crew discovered the cork inside.
The handle was confiscated by Major League Baseball and its whereabouts are unknown. The broken barrel was left in the clubhouse where Mike Remlinger, the Cubs’ winning pitcher that night, eventually grabbed it and took it home.
The incident caused a huge backlash against the once-popular outfielder even though Sosa claimed he used the corked bat only for show in batting practice. Major League Baseball never found any other evidence that Sosa used a corked bat during a game.
Now, the bat that some say helps symbolize baseball’s home run excesses during the steroid era, is on the auction block. Remlinger has consigned it to Schulte Auctions and the Maryland-based company has placed it in its current sale.
Sosa’s number 21 is written on the top of the barrel and the bat comes with a PSA/DNA letter of authenticity as well as one from Remlinger.
Minimum bid is $750. The auction closes October 31.
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