Former Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa will be elected to the team’s Hall of Fame, along with former first baseman Derek Lee.
The move toward reconciliation between Sosa and the Cubs began when Sosa issued a statement in December.
“There were times when I did everything I could to recover from injuries in an effort to maintain my strength to play more than 162 games. I never violated any laws. But in retrospect, I made mistakes and I apologize,” Sosa said in a statement. . through Aurora Global Consulting.
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Former Chicago Cubs player Sammy Sosa greets fans as he is introduced during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Following that statement, Cubs president Tom Ricketts said the team is “ready to move forward together” and invited Sosa to the annual Cubs fan convention.
Sosa’s attendance at the convention was his first time with the Cubs in any official capacity since he last played for the team in 2004.
Sosa said the apology in his December statement did not refer to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
“No. I mean, like, look, 21 years later. I had fans that loved me a lot. I had to apologize to them, because, I mean, they normally see me play for so many years.”
When Sosa was announced at the convention, he received a standing ovation and ran onto the stage with an American flag.
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Sammy Sosa hit 66 home runs in 1998. (IMAGE)
“People grow up,” Sosa said via ESPN. “That’s what happened to me. To make that statement, it was the right time for me. The immediate response was incredible. Now, the door is open, I have to continue contributing (to the organization).”
“I think today was a perfect day.”
Sosa played 13 seasons with the Cubs and is the franchise record holder with 545 home runs.
Sosa finished his major league career with a .273 batting average and 609 home runs, currently ninth on the career list. He also had 1,667 RBIs and 234 stolen bases in 18 seasons from 1989 to 2007.
Sammy Sosa finished his career after the 2007 season with 609 home runs, ninth on the all-time list. (IMAGE)
Because much of Sosa’s success has been marred by questions about his use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career, he did not make the Hall of Fame on the Baseball Writers’ Association ballot. America.
Sosa’s next chance for Hall of Fame consideration will be if he makes the ballot for the contemporary players committee.
Sosa and Lee will be recognized in the team’s Hall of Fame at a game this summer.
