MLB
Sammy Sosa invited in from the cold as he and Cubs bury hatchet
The troubled great slugger has been shunned for decades now, but an apology issued by Sosa is enough for the Chicago Cubs to open their door to their prodigal son.
After two decades of frosty silence, Sammy Sosa and the Chicago Cubs are warming up to each other again. The former slugger, now 56, has extended an olive branch, expressing regret for past actions that led to their estrangement.
“I left it all on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy,” Sosa reflects. He fondly recalls the energy of the right-field bleachers at Wrigley, a testament to his deep connection with the fans.
Sosa acknowledges the cloud that hung over his era, where performance-enhancing drug (PED) use was rampant. “There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games,” he admits. “I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.”
This admission is a significant shift from his previous denials, including his testimony before Congress in 2005, where he stated through his attorney that he had “never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs.”
The Cubs' leadership has responded positively. Chairman Tom Ricketts expresses appreciation for Sosa’s outreach, noting, “No one played harder or wanted to win more. Nobody’s perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.” Ricketts extends an invitation to the 2025 Cubs Convention, scheduled for January 17-19 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, hoping Sosa can attend despite the short notice.
Sosa’s tenure with the Cubs was marked by remarkable achievements. He hit 545 of his 609 career home runs wearing a Cubs uniform, making him the franchise’s all-time leader in that category. The 1998 season stands out, where he and Mark McGwire captivated the nation with their home run race, a competition that played a significant role in revitalizing baseball’s popularity following the 1994 strike.
However, his departure in 2004 was less than amicable, marred by allegations of PED use and a contentious exit. The subsequent years saw a strained relationship between Sosa and the Cubs, with the organization distancing itself from its former star.
Sosa’s recent apology appears to have paved the way for reconciliation. “We can’t change the past, but the future is bright,” he says. “In my heart, I have always been a Cub and I can’t wait to see Cubs fans again.”
The upcoming Cubs Convention could serve as the perfect setting for this reunion, offering fans an opportunity to reconnect with one of the most dynamic players in the team’s history. As the event approaches, anticipation builds for Sosa’s return to the Cubs family, signaling a new chapter in a relationship that has weathered its share of storms.
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