CHICAGO — Returning to Wrigley Field after over two decades, legendary Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa made a notable appearance on Friday before the Chicago Cubs’ game against the Seattle Mariners. Set to be inducted into the Cubs’ team Hall of Fame this year, Sosa arrived at the iconic ballpark in a black SUV and was warmly greeted by owner Tom Ricketts. The two shared a hug as Sosa stepped out of the vehicle.
Sosa, who joined the Cubs after a trade with the White Sox in March 1992, became the face of the franchise during his 13 seasons with the team. The seven-time All-Star amassed 545 home runs in 1,811 games with the Cubs, including a franchise-record 66 homers in 1998, the year he earned the NL’s MVP title.
Now 56, Sosa’s last game with the Cubs was on October 2, 2004, during which he hit a home run and had two hits in an 8-6 defeat to Atlanta. In the years that followed, Sosa’s career became linked to the era’s performance-enhancing drug controversies. The Cubs traded him to the Baltimore Orioles with cash in February 2005 in exchange for three players.
Sosa appeared to acknowledge his past use of performance-enhancing drugs in December, releasing a statement expressing remorse for unspecified mistakes. “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,” Sosa wrote. “I never broke any laws. But in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.”
Ahead of Friday’s game, Sosa posed for photographs with emerging Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong outside the team’s clubhouse. He also shared a moment with manager Craig Counsell in his office, captured in a video showing a warm embrace. Counsell humorously remarked, “(Sosa) saw the wind blowing out today and planned this trip around a good day to be here.”
During the game, the Cubs honored Sosa with a video tribute on the board following the second inning. Sosa acknowledged the fans with waves and bows from a suite as the presentation unfolded.
In a recent game on Thursday, Crow-Armstrong hit a notable home run, setting a new team record for reaching 20 homers and 20-plus stolen bases in just 73 games, surpassing Sosa’s old mark of 96 games set in 1994.
Having faced Sosa during his playing days, Counsell paid tribute to Sosa’s formidable presence at the plate and his star quality. “Probably the best thing, Sammy was a true entertainer,” Counsell reflected. “I think when you’re in this long enough, you realize that’s part of this. We’re also here to entertain and I think Sammy was great at that.”