Sammy Sosa, who batted 66 home runs in the last regular season, heads the list of US Major League sluggers and pitchers that will travel next month to Japan to play eight exhibition games. Other players are Greg Vaughn of the San Diego Padres, who batted 50 home runs; Mexican Vinicio Castilla, of the Colorado Rockies, who batted 46 home runs; Dominican Moisés Alou, who batted 38 with the Houston Astros. And Curt Schilling of the Philadelphia Phillies, Trevor Hoffman of the Padres as the pitchers. Others on the team are Tom Gordon, of the Boston Red Sox, and Nomar Garciaparra. Sosa is the only batter of four in the history of the Major Leagues that has batted more than 60 home runs. Others are McGwire (70), Roger Maris (61) and Babe Ruth (60). Each player will receive US$85,000 to play the exhibition games. Seven of these games will be against an All Star team of the Central League of Japan and the Pacific Leagues. The eighth game will be against the Giants of Yomiuri. The tour begins 6 November.
