Former Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa has been elected to the team’s Hall of Fame, along with former first baseman Derek Lee.
The step toward reconciliation between Sosa and the Cubs began when Sosa released a statement in December.
“There were times when I did everything I could to recover from my injuries to maintain my strength to play more than 162 matches. I never broke any laws. But looking back, I “I made mistakes and I apologize for them,” Sosa said in a statement. through Aurora Global Consulting.
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Former Chicago Cubs player Sammy Sosa acknowledges fans as he is introduced during the Cubs Convention opening ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
After the statement, Cubs president Tom Ricketts said the team was “ready to move forward together” and invited Sosa to the annual Cubs fan convention.
Sosa attending the convention was the first time he had been with the Cubs in an official capacity since last being with the team in 2004.
Sosa said the apology in his December statement was not about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
“No. I’m referring to, like, 21 years old. I had fans who loved me a lot. I had to apologize to them, because, I mean, normally they see me playing for so many years. ‘years.”
When Sosa was announced at the convention, he received a big ovation and ran on stage with an American flag.
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Sammy Sosa hit 66 home runs in 1998. (IMAGINE)
“People grow up,” Sosa said via ESPN. “This is what happened to me. Making this statement was the right time for me. The response was immediately 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 holds the franchise record with 545 home runs.
Sosa finished his big league career with a .273 batting average and 609 home runs – currently ninth on the career list. He also totaled 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, good for ninth on the all-time list. (IMAGINE)
Because much of Sosa’s success was clouded by questions about performance-enhancing drug use throughout his career, he was not enshrined in the Hall of Fame in the Baseball Writers’ ballot. Association of America.
Sosa’s next chance to be considered for the Hall of Fame 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 during a game this summer.
