Spasms from sneezing knock out Sosa

p://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/sports/8683335.htm

Posted on Sun, May. 16, 2004





Spasms from sneezing knock out Sosa

By PAUL SULLIVAN

Chicago Tribune


SAN DIEGO - When Sammy Sosa sneezes, Chicago winces.

A surreal sneezing episode before Sunday's game led to back spasms for Sosa that could put him out of action for a few games. He was a late scratch Sunday after suffering the spasms while sneezing and bending over in front of his locker.

"He was sneezing, but bending over was more the (reason) for it," trainer Dave Groeschner said after the Cubs' 4-2 victory over San Diego.

"It's probably more coincidental than anything. Who knows? Guys bend over and have back spasms and lock up all the time. Unfortunately, it happened to Sammy. The plane ride (home) is going to be tough. There might be soreness from that."Sosa received stimulation treatment, icing and stretching Sunday. He'll visit with Groeschner again on Monday at Wrigley Field, an unusually busy off day for the Cubs with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior also expected to throw on the side for pitching coach Larry Rothschild, as they mend from their respective injuries.

How long will Sammy be out? No one knows at this point.

"It could linger a few days," Groeschner said.Sosa said he was "only human," but seemed a little embarrassed about the way the injury happened.

"snip

of inhaling cork.