The Cubs elected Sammy Sosa to the Hall of Fame after years away from the team due to PED questions.
Former Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa is being elected to the team’s Hall of Fame, along with former first baseman Derek Lee.
Reconciliation between Sosa and Cube began when Sosa released a statement in December.
“It was a time when I did everything I could to stay injury-free to push through 162 games. I didn’t break any rules. But in hindsight, I made a mistake and I apologize,” Sosa said in a statement. Through Aurora Global Consulting.
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Former Chicago Cubs shortstop Sammy Sosa acknowledges fans as he is introduced during the Cubs convention opening ceremony 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 announcement, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts invited Sosa to the Cubs’ annual fan meeting, saying the team was “ready to move forward together.”
It was Sosa’s first time attending the convention with the Cubs since he played for the team in 2004.
In a statement in December, Sosa said his apology was not about using performance-enhancing drugs.
“No. I’m referring to, for example, look, 21 years. I had fans who loved me so much. I had to apologize to them, because I mean, normally, they see me play for many years.”
When Sosa appeared at the conference, 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. (IMAGN)
“People grow up,” Sosa said via ESPN. “That’s what happened to me. It was the right time for me to make this statement. The response was immediately unbelievable. 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 holds the franchise record 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 had 1,667 RBIs and 234 stolen bases in 18 seasons from 1989 to 2007.
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Sammy Sosa finished with 609 home runs following the 2007 season, ninth on the all-time list. (IMAGN)
Because much of Sosa’s success throughout his career was clouded by questions regarding his use of performance-enhancing drugs, he was not elected to the Baseball Writers Association Hall of Fame.
Sosa’s next chance for Hall of Fame consideration will depend on the player’s committee’s vote for the season.
Sosa and Lee will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame at a game this summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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