Sammy Sosa: Making History

During the 1998 Major League Baseball season, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire set the sports world buzzing as they pursued Roger Maris' single-season 61 home run record. People who never follow baseball were caught up in the Sosa/McGwire drama. We all know how wonderfully it ended for both players, with McGwire racking up 70 and Sosa hitting 66 (and snagging the MVP award), which is why the makers of this documentary wisely chose to step back and take a broader look at Sammy Sosa's life beyond "the chase." Commentary from baseball players, coaches and executives is intermingled with remarks from Sosa's sisters, Raquel and Sonia, and his mother, Mireya. There's as much emphasis placed on Sosa's remarkable character and his humanitarian efforts on behalf of his homeland, the Dominican Republic, as there is placed on his baseball career. Viewers are also acquainted with his statistics during the '98 season, i.e., 158 RBIs, 198 hits, 134 runs and a .308 season average. The numbers tell the tale: Sosa is a complete ballplayer. He's also an inspiring team leader, a bona fide national hero in his home country and he loves his mama. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (P. Van Vleck)