Mike Remlinger took possession of Sammy Sosa’s corked bat barrel during the game where Sosa broke the bat, and now he’s putting it up for auction:

Schulte says the bat barrel, in which cork is visible, was authenticated by Remlinger and PSA/DNA Authentication Services, and could bring in excess of $10,000. Bidding was still at the starting price of $750 late Friday and ends Oct. 31. The handle’s whereabouts are unclear.

Remlinger now works in the emerging field of life coaching, advising young athletes on improving their performance and charting a life outside of sports — a path he says he chose after making some bad decisions in his own life.

“I did try contacting Sammy about it last year to see if he wanted it back,” says Remlinger, adding that this is the only item from his playing days that he’s selling. “His personal assistant said Sammy was interested in getting it back, and he’d get in touch with me, but I never heard from him.

“Hopefully this won’t be something that the people with the Cubs will see as a negative, and (say that) I shouldn’t have done what I’m doing. To me, this is an item for the public and has more service to be out there than to be sitting in my closet.”