Former Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa is 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 released a statement in December.
“There were times when I did what I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games. I never broke any laws. But in hindsight 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 acknowledges 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)
After that statement, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said the team is “ready to move forward together” and invited Sosa to the Cubs’ annual fan convention.
Sosa’s appearance at the convention was the first time he had been with the Cubs in any official capacity since he last played for the team in 2004.
Sosa said the apology in his December statement was not about using performance-enhancing drugs.
“No. I’m referencing like, look, 21 years out. I had fans who loved me a lot. I had to apologize to them because, I mean, usually they see me play that 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. (IMAGIN)
“People grow up,” Sosa said, via ESPN. “That’s what happened to me. To put that statement out, it was the right time for me. The response right away was incredible. Now, the door is open, I have to continue to contribute (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 big league career with a .273 batting average and 609 homers – 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, good for ninth on the all-time list. (IMAGIN)
Because much of Sosa’s success has been clouded by questions about performance-enhancing drug use throughout his career, he did not make the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame.
Sosa’s next chance for Hall of Fame consideration will be if he makes the Modern Players Committee ballot.
Sosa and Lee will be recognized in the team’s Hall of Fame at a game this summer.
