Cubs slugger taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms

Saturday, February 12th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Sammy Sosa was taken to a hospital Saturday after the Chicago Cubs slugger became ill at his Las Vegas Strip hotel. Sosa complained of flu-like symptoms and went to Valley Hospital for tests.

Sosa, 31, had been scheduled to compete in a made-for-TV home run hitting contest later in the day. He was to face Los Angeles' Shawn Green. The capacity crowd at Cashman Field groaned when it was announced that Sosa would be replaced by Atlanta outfielder Andruw Jones.

Sosa was the 1998 NL MVP when he hit 66 homers, and he hit 63 last season. Sosa was the No. 2 seed in the contest behind Mark McGwire. Ken Griffey Jr., originally scheduled to take part in the 12-man field, was replaced earlier in the week by former Seattle teammate Alex Rodriguez.

The Cubs will become the first team to start spring training this year when pitchers and catchers report to camp Sunday in Mesa, Ariz. The full squad is due next Friday.