R-Word

Sammy Sosa might be without a job in baseball these days but he says his playing days are not over.

The former outfielder told the Associated Press that his immediate goal is to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and he's not thinking about retiring from the game at the moment.

"That's my wish," Sosa, 39, said, "to put on my country's uniform so people can see me playing again."

Sosa told the AP he is looking forward to suiting up for the Dominican team and playing under Felipe Alou, the veteran manager slated to lead the team. The Dominican club, led by current Nationals manager Manny Acta and a team of Dominican All-Stars, was eliminated by Cuba in the semifinals in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Sosa did not participate in the inaugural 2006 tournament.

Sosa said he currently does not have offers on the table from a Major League club and has asked his agent not to offer his services to any team. However, he says he has not considered the possibility of retirement because "It's not time for that yet."

A farewell tour with the Dominican team in the World Baseball Classic would be a fitting end to his career. Sosa was the first player born in Latin America to reach the 500-home run mark along with the 600-home run plateau and is revered as a hero throughout Latin America. From 1989 to 2007, Sosa hit 609 home runs and collected 1,667 RBIs with the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.

He is considered the greatest home run hitter of all time from Latin America.