On June 3, 2003, Chicago Cubs centerfielder Sammy Sosa was ejected from a game in the first inning for using a corked bat. His bat shattered upon impact with the ball and the umpire who picked it up discovered the bat had been hollowed out and filled with cork. Sosa said it was an accident – that he had used the bat during batting practice and accidentally grabbed it by mistake when he went to the plate.test.
The Cub outfielder will be suspended by major league baseball for eight games (reduced to 7 after an appeal) for his offense.