Hero's welcome
Thousands of Dominicans cheer Sosa's return home
Posted: Wednesday December 02, 1998 03:59 PM
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Sammy Sosa's (right in car) final home runs lifted many spirits in the wake of Hurricane Georges AP |
SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Greeted by a crowd of
thousands that included his country's president and Hall of Famer Juan
Marichal, Sammy
Sosa finally returned home.
"I feel very happy and honored that my people are on their feet,
waiting for me," said Sosa, in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday for the
first time since his 66-homer season.
"To see that in the United States they applauded a Dominican makes me
happy and proud to be Dominican."
On a day of national celebration, President Leonel Fernandez was among
the throng to cheer the Chicago Cubs slugger as
he emerged from a private jet at Santo Domingo's international airport.
"After suffering the effects of Hurricane Georges, we know what it felt
like for the teams facing Sammy Sosa to feel the force of Hurricane Sosa,"
Fernandez said.
Also in the receiving line on a rainy day was Marichal, the great San Francisco Giants
pitcher who is now the Dominican sports minister.
Before Sosa arrived, cars with windshields painted "Welcome Sammy" and
"Go Sammy!" jammed the two-lane highway from the capital to the airport.
Thousands more fans took free bus rides to welcome Sosa, who has become an
idol like none this Caribbean nation has known.
"He scrapes, he gives his all, it's the Dominican style!" gushed Maximo
Sosa, a fan who is no relation to Sammy.
Since the season ended, Sosa received the keys to New York City, threw
a ceremonial first pitch in the World Series and raised money for hurricane
victims. In his homeland, he had a winter league season named for him and
will receive the nation's top medal.
At San Pedro de Macoris, Sosa's hometown, dozens of scooters swarmed
around the procession and Sosa stood through a sunroof, ignoring a rain
shower that soaked his shirt.
The decibel level rose when Sosa stopped outside his old barrio, called
the Jarro Sucio, or Dirty Jar, to make his trademark salute: a thump of the
chest and the two-fingered victory sign.
San Pedro's seaside boulevard was lined with palm trees before Georges
smashed them September 22. Thousands lost their homes, and many are still
waiting for electricity and water.
Nationwide, the storm killed at least 283 people and left 100,000
homeless.
Sosa's final home runs became Dominicans' only cause for celebration
after the storm, even though Mark McGwire
took the crown with 70 homers.
San Pedro provincial Mayor Sergio Cedeno said Tuesday that Sosa sent
home three planeloads of food and medical supplies.
"For being an humble person who has reached the hearts of many people
... he's the best ambassador we could have to show the disaster that has
stricken us," Cedeno said.
The government also has diplomatic plans for Sosa. Fernandez planned to
name him a "Roving Ambassador to the Glory of Sport" when he presents him
with the nation's highest honor, the Grand Cross of the Order of Duarte,
Sanchez and Mella, at a National Palace ceremony Friday.
But Sosa's most precious gift to Dominicans was one that couldn't be
quantified.
"Sammy is not someone for what he gives anyway," said motorcycle taxi
driver Luis Alex, who wears black batting gloves on both hands, just as
Sosa does.
"He's someone we hold here inside," Alex signaled to his heart, "for
what he gives us -- pride."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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