Legendary Chicago Cubs player Sammy Sosa is welcomed back by his former team after a long period of estrangement.
Sosa, who hit 545 home runs for the Cubs (which is still the club record), released an apology letter Thursday regarding his alleged past use of performance-enhancing drugs.
“I left it all on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy.
“I loved seeing the Wrigley fans at the Right Field Bleachers every home game.
“I understand why some players from my era don’t always get the recognition our statistics deserve.
“There were times when I did everything I could to recover from injuries, trying to maintain my strength to perform for more than 162 matches. I never broke any law, but in retrospect I made mistakes and I apologize for that.”
“We have accomplished great things as a team and I have worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter.
“Cubs fans are the best in the world, and I hope fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward.
“We can’t change the past, but the future is bright. I have always been a Cub at heart and I can’t wait to see Cubs fans again.”
In response to that apology letter, team owner Tom Ricketts released a statement thanking Sosa for his apology and inviting him for the first time to the 2025 Cubs Convention, which takes place in January.
“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and reaching out. No one played harder or wanted to win more. No one is perfect, but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.
“To say Sammy is a fan favorite is an understatement. We plan to invite him to the 2025 Cubs Convention and, although it is on short notice, we hope he can attend. We are all ready to move forward together.”
Sosa was suspected to have been a PED user during his heyday (early 1990s to early 2000s), although his name was not among the many MLB PED users listed in the (in)famous Mitchell Report. But in 2007, the book “Game of Shadows” detailed Sosa’s alleged PED use and involvement in the BALCO scandal.
Despite being the only player in Major League Baseball history to hit at least 60 home runs in three separate seasons, Sosa spent 10 years on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot before retiring in 2023 and has been estranged since his departure of the Cubs. the 2004 team.
Sosa’s apology letter ultimately spurred the Cubs to open the door for their former superstar. Ricketts had insisted in the past that Sosa would not be invited to team events unless he publicly apologized for his alleged PED use. Other players linked to PEDs, such as Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte, have been enthusiastically welcomed back by their former teams after similar apologies.
Now the Cubs are ready to welcome Sosa back to the fold and recognize his achievements that brought fans so much joy.
