Leaker of Sosa's name: hero or villain?

June 18, 1:15 PMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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Since the name of Sammy Sosa was leaked to media, by someone with knowledge of the 104 names on the failed test list from 2003, we've been asked whether we think all the names should be revealed.

But perhaps that's the wrong question. Maybe we should ponder whether we think the leaker has done us a service as fans or chosen to push his/her own agenda. More than one journalist has weighed in on whether the leaker is a vigilante or a hero.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports comes down on the side of him/her being a hero. But if you really think about it, you could also come to the conclusion that the leaker is settling an old score or just out to hurt the ball players. He/she might be someone with an axe to grind and wants the players to fear the next leak and see what havoc it wreaks. Sort of like a terrorist or vigilante.

Consider this: Sosa's name just happened to be circulated within a week of him talking about his retirement. He went on to say that he would just wait for his induction to Cooperstown, asking rhetorically, "Don't I have the numbers to be inducted?"

Cheeky guy isn't he? And that's what got the buzz started about the leaker trying to humiliate that kind of guy. Whoever leaked A-Rod's name had a myriad of stupid pet tricks to consider when determining if Rodriguez had crossed that line in the leaker's head that triggered the decision to release A-Rod's name.

Those that see him as a hero say the leaker is only doing what the fans want by letting us know who we paid to see cheat his way to records and a big fat contract and that it helps maintain the integrity of the game. If you want to see this person as a vigilante with nothing but vengeance and death of a Hall of Fame induction dream on his/her mind, you could make a good case for that too.

This is a different analysis from deciding whether the game and fans are best served by breaking the promise of confidentiality to the players by opening up the full list for scrutiny. I selfishly agree with Ozzie Guillen who called for one big revelation of all the names so that we can get back to the business of watching pennant races. But I know that if I were one of the players on the list, I wouldn't want someone else making that decision for me.

In truth the leaker is a terrorist if you believe that the other 102 players or ex-players are living in fear of their names and careers being sullied or destroyed. If the rest of the players on the list are smart they will keep their heads down and not touch on the subject.

So what is it? Vigilante or hero...or both?

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