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CHICAGO — Sammy Sosa made a triumphant return by jogging onto the stage, proudly waving an American flag as the audience erupted with excitement.
This moment felt like a blast from the past, although Sosa sported a sharp suit instead of his familiar baseball gear, and the setting was a downtown hotel ballroom rather than the iconic Wrigley Field.
Sosa’s reappearance at the Chicago Cubs’ annual fan convention signaled a long-awaited reunion. It was confirmed that he will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame this year, joining former first baseman Derrek Lee in this honor.
The journey toward this reconciliation began last month when Sosa issued a somewhat ambiguous statement expressing remorse for unspecified past errors. While he has faced scrutiny over performance-enhancing drug allegations, Sosa clarified that this was not the focus of his apology.
“No. I’m referring, for example, look, 21 years out,” Sosa reflected, having last played with the Cubs in 2004. “I had the fans that loved me very much. I had to apologize to them because I mean normally they see me play so many years.”
Although Sosa, now 56, chose not to elaborate on the specifics of his apology, it was evident that it resonated deeply with Cubs fans, who had been yearning for this reunion for years, as well as with the organization that warmly welcomed him back after years of silence.
Once Sosa was announced as part of the Hall of Fame class, he received a standing ovation, with cheers intensifying when he appeared holding the flag — reminiscent of his emotional entrance during the Cubs’ first home game post-September 11 attacks in 2001.
The excitement peaked once again when Sosa appeared later in the ceremony donning his former No. 21 Cubs jersey, prompting another rousing cheer from the crowd.
“I think that today was a perfect day,” Sosa exclaimed.
Sosa gained prominence with the Cubs after being traded in March 1992 from the crosstown White Sox in exchange for George Bell. Known as Slammin’ Sammy, he hit a franchise-record 545 home runs and accumulated 1,414 RBIs over 13 seasons with the team.
He became a household name during the exhilarating home run race with Mark McGwire in 1998 when Sosa slammed 66 homers, earning him the National League MVP award, while McGwire set a new single-season record with 70 home runs.
However, Sosa’s legacy with the Cubs soured amid allegations of performance-enhancing drug use and behavioral concerns. His departure from the team followed a contentious moment in 2004 when he left a season-ending game at Wrigley Field prematurely after arriving late.
During a 2005 congressional hearing, Sosa denied any involvement with performance-enhancing substances.
Derrek Lee, who played alongside Sosa during his early years with the Cubs, praised his former teammate. “I got a chance to play with Sammy my first year here, and he was always good to me,” he remarked. “You know, he taught me a lot about hitting. One of the hardest workers you’ll ever see. Came to play every day.”
Lee added, “He admitted mistakes, apologized for them, moved on. We’ve all made mistakes, and we all want forgiveness. So, time to move on. It’s been a long time.”
In total, Sosa concluded his illustrious MLB career with a .273 batting average and 609 home runs, which places him ninth on the all-time home run leaderboard. His impressive 18-year career spanned from 1989 to 2007, during which he amassed 1,667 RBIs and 234 stolen bases.
Despite his accomplishments, Sosa’s bid for inclusion in the Hall of Fame fell short in 2022 during his final year of eligibility on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. His next opportunity for consideration may arise if he is nominated for the contemporary player committee, meeting in December 2024.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who faced Sosa as a competitor, conveyed his joy over Sosa’s return, stating, “I think Sammy was a part of some magical summers here, some important summers here. He entertained people like very few that ever did in a Chicago Cubs uniform. So it’s good that he’s back. It’s great that he’s here.”
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