Sosa trade waiting approval\nCHICAGO -- Sammy Sosa was once as popular a fixture at Wrigley Field as the ivy-covered brick walls and the ancient scoreboard hanging over the center field bleachers.\nFans flocked to the neighborhood ball park to watch one of his majestic home runs, while others congregated in the streets to try and retrieve one of them.\nNow he's on his way out of Chicago. A trade to the Baltimore Orioles for Jerry Hairston and two prospects is expected to reach Commissioner Bud Selig's desk Monday for approval.\nFrom there, Sosa would need to pass a physical and the deal could be announced Wednesday or Thursday.\nThe once smiling slugger and the team he played for since 1992 are parting company. And not on happy terms.\n"Sammy has been great for baseball and really great for the city of Chicago, and I'm sorry to see it end this way," Cubs manager Dusty Baker told the Chicago Tribune.\n"It's really not what his legacy should be."\nSosa endeared many with his self-styled quirks -- a home run hop, blowing kisses in rapid succession after retuning to the dugout, tapping his heart and racing to right field like a sprinter before each game to salute the fans in the bleachers.\nSosa feasted on the adulation from the fans, especially at Wrigley Field. They stayed with him even after he used a corked bat in 2003. But last season, it began to turn as he struggled at the plate and the boos began to ring out from the frustrated home fans.\nHe batted just .253 -- his lowest average since 1997 -- and in 126 games finished with 35 homers and 80 RBIs.\nSosa, who often referred to himself as a gladiator, seemed to be surprised that people forgot what he had accomplished: 574 homers, including three separate seasons of at least 60 and -- until last year when he had a back injury -- nine-straight 100-RBI seasons.
Illini dominate Minnesota, but challenging trip to MSU ahead\nCHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- After a couple of challenging games, Illinois looked like its old self again in defeating Minnesota before hundreds of former players remembering 100 years of Illini basketball.\nThe top-ranked Illini (21-0, 7-0 Big Ten) easily defeated the Golden Gophers 89-66 Saturday. Minnesota was outgunned from the opening tip.\nThe Illini shared the basketball, spread the scoring around and played smothering defense. Roger Powell Jr. scored 21 points to lead four players in double figures, Illinois had 21 assists on 33 baskets and its defense forced Minnesota (14-6, 4-3) into a shot-clock violation and four shots with the clock nearing zero.\n"Just a good solid defensive effort," said Illini coach Bruce Weber. "We shot the ball well. We were able to go inside, go outside. Just a lot of positive things."\nBut the Illini must celebrate quickly because they travel to Michigan State Tuesday and a loss would make the Big Ten title race much closer. The 15th-ranked Spartans are 5-1 in conference play.\n"They don't come back here. It's a huge game for us," Weber said. "If we go up there and find a way to win, now we're two up on them because they lost at Wisconsin. If they beat us, we really are chasing them because we don't get that (second) chance to beat them."\nSaturday's win all but assured that the Illini will stay No. 1 for the ninth straight-week when the AP poll comes out Monday. It also extended Illinois' regular-season Big Ten winning streak to 17 games, tying a school record set from 1914-16 and was its 17th straight at the Assembly Hall.\nIn their last home game, the Illini shot only 33 percent from the field and needed overtime to defeat Iowa, and five days later they fell behind Wisconsin in the second half before rallying to break the Badgers' 38-game home winning streak. So Saturday's easy victory was welcome, especially coming before so many former players who had returned to celebrate the centennial.\n"I think we wanted to come out and put on a show," said Deron Williams, who scored 18 points and had six assists.\nAfter the Illini won over Minnesota, Michigan State defeated nonconference foe Oakland 92-75 Saturday night. The Spartans said they weren't pleased with their play against the Golden Grizzlies, a team the Illini defeated 85-54 in November.\n"Honestly, if we play this way Tuesday, I think we'll come out with a loss," said guard Kelvin Torbert.\nDon't expect the Illini to listen.\n"I think they're more athletic than Wisconsin," Williams said. "They're a good team. They've got a great coach. It's going to be a battle when we go up there"
