Mark McGwire homers to take over the lead. A few hours later, Sammy Sosa homers to tie him at eight. This spring training sure seems like last summer, as far as the home run race is concerned.
"He's ready, I'm ready. He's got to do a job, I've got to do a job," Sosa said Sunday after hitting a three-run homer in the Chicago Cubs' 10-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Mesa, Ariz.McGwire hit a two-run shot in the third inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' 10-4 loss to Florida Marlins split squad at Jupiter, Fla.
"For me, it doesn't take too long to get ready," Sosa said. "I've been relaxed and patient at home plate, and that's helping me not to swing at pitches I shouldn't be swinging at."
Meanwhile, New York Yankees manager Joe Torre was released from Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. According to pathology reports, his cancer was limited to his prostate gland and there is no trace of the disease in the lymph nodes.
He is not expected to rejoin the team for 6-to-12 weeks, but he will head to Florida to recuperate, according to family friend Jeff Wehling.
"He wants to be near the team, but he also thought it would be better to be there because the weather is much warmer than in New York and he can get out and do his walking," Wehling said.
At Port Charlotte, Fla., the Texas Rangers said reliever John Wetteland may start the season on the disabled list. Wetteland has been slowed by an ankle injury last month and muscle spasms in his lower back.
"The delivery that I saw on Thursday, I didn't like it at all," manager Johnny Oates said. "He just can't push off on that ankle well enough for me."
At Dunedin, Fla., the Boston Red Sox said shortstop Nomar Garciaparra won't return to the team until at least Wednesday while he undergoes tests on in California on his injured right elbow.
At Clearwater, Fla., the Philadelphia Phillies made a second contract offer to 40-year-old right-hander Orel Hershiser, who is in camp with the Cleveland Indians.
"We'd love to have Orel," Indians manager Mike Hargrove said. "But there's no job for him."
At Peoria, Ariz., Country singer-turned-baseball player Garth Brooks got his first hit of spring training, singling up the middle off Mike Sirotka in the San Diego Padres' 11-8 loss to the Chicago White Sox. It was his 10th plate appearance.
"I saw the second baseman dive and the ball disappeared behind him," Brooks said, "so I couldn't see what happened. When the crowd stood up, I thought 'Holy cow!' "