CHICAGO (AP) ― Sammy Sosa says he and fellow steroid-tainted star Mark McGwire belong in the Hall of Fame.

Slammin’ Sammy also says the Chicago Cubs should retire his number, and he left open the possibility of running for president of the Dominican Republic during an interview Wednesday on the website Ustream.com.

Asked if he thinks he or McGwire belong in the Hall, Sosa said: “I think so.” He also said he won’t say anything that will “jeopardize my future” and that time “will determine everything.”

Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were denied entry to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility amid suspicions their accomplishments were boosted by performance-enhancing drugs. McGwire, 10th on the career home run list, received 16.9 percent of the vote on his seventh try, far short of the 75 percent needed for election.

Countdown to All-Star game

CINCINNATI (AP) ― The Reds started a countdown to a 2015 All-Star game on Wednesday by breaking out the bunting and bursting into a standing ovation.

A few of them also started to dream about playing in it.

Commissioner Bud Selig awarded the midsummer game to Cincinnati on Wednesday, rewarding years of persistence by Reds owner Bob Castellini.

The city hasn’t hosted an All-Star game since 1988, when the Reds played at Riverfront Stadium.

“I can’t imagine what’s going to happen, but I think it’s going to be beautiful,” said second baseman Brandon Phillips, a two-time All-Star under contract through 2017.

The Reds lobbied hard for years to get the game.

It’ll be the fifth time that the game is played in Cincinnati, which was the stage for one of the most memorable All-Star moments. Pete Rose bowled over Indians catcher Ray Fosse to win the 1970 game at Riverfront Stadium.

The 1988 game was something of a disappointment. Rain wiped out the home run derby events, and the American League won the game 2-1 a day later with the winning run scoring on a sacrifice fly.