(2003-06-10) — The Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball franchise filed suit today against the maker of the cork bat blamed for the 8-day suspension of hitting legend Sammy Sosa.
The suit seeks at least $280 million to compensate for lost income, pain and suffering.
“It’s not about the money,” said an unnamed Cubs spokesman. “We want to send a message to the cork bat industry that they are responsible for what customers do with their product.”
The 87-page legal filing details the cork bat industry’s history of refusing to label cork bats so that major league hitters would not mistake them for ordinary bats. The lawsuit also alleges that locking technology exists which would literally prevent a player from stepping to the plate with a cork bat.
“The corkers don’t want the labels and the locks because they know it would cut into sales,” said an unnamed attorney representing the Cubs. “And this is just the beginning. Wait until the jury hears about the extensive marketing campaign aimed at young boys and girls.”

Similar ScrappleFace News:

• 2nd Corking Scandal Rocks Cubs in Loss to Marlins
• Sosa Called to Help NASA with Cork Insulation
• Sports Illustrated Mentions ScrappleFace
• Mets Player Hospitalized After Smoking Artificial Turf
• MLB Dictates Terms for Re-Admitting Rose