MSH Entertainment has scored what might be equivalent to a towering home run by gaining the rights to a two-hour, made for television, animated biography on Sammy Sosa, last year’s Most Valuable Player in the National League who hit 66 home runs and has become Major League baseball’s newest icon.The animated telefilm, which is scheduled to premiere for spring training in 2000, is being co-produced by MSH’s recently acquired subsidiary, Abrams/Gentile Entertainment and SSA Productions in Tokyo.Commenting on the project, John Gentile, president and a co-founder of AGE explained that "this project is particularly timely in that, in many ways Sammy Sosa is looked at as a kind of sports image personified by the late Joe DiMaggio and Roberto Clemente."Mr. Gentile continued that "beyond this special, it is our intention to develop a weekly animated series which reflects the accomplishments, experiences and values that make Sammy Sosa the hero and legend that he is."Mr. Sosa, 31, was born in the Dominican Republic and made it to the Big League through an intense work ethic, persistence and a compassion for those much less fortunate than himself. When Hurricane Georges virtually decimated his homeland last fall, he not only made a significant financial contribution, but spearheaded a drive to bring all forms of aid to his native country.Although his 66 home runs in 1998 was second to Mark McGwire’s record of 70, Mr. Sosa’s all-around play and his leadership earned him not only the coveted MVP award but other honors including the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year, Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, The Sporting News awards for both Sportsman and Player of the Year, and he was also chosen for the National League Players’ Choice for Outstanding Player.
