CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have formally invited fan favorite and one of the best sluggers in baseball history Sammy Sosa back for the 2025 Cubs Convention.
In a letter obtained by MLB insider Jon Heyman, Sosa acknowledged that he “made mistakes and I apologize.”
The letter reads as follows.
“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 to see the fans at Wrigley and in the Right Field Bleachers every home game.
I understand why some players in my era don’t always get the recognition that our stats deserve.
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. I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.
We accomplished great things as a team, I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter.
Cubs’ fans are the best in the world, and I hope that fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward.
We can’t change the past, but the future is bright. In my heart, I have always been a Cubs and I can’t wait to see Cubs fans again.
Sincerely,
Sammy Sosa“
Sosa has been connected to steroids for several years after he and Mark McGwire revitalized the sport during the 1998 home run chase. In 2009, the New York Times reported that Sosa allegedly tested positive for steroids during the 2003 season.
Four years earlier, Sosa was apart of the infamous Congressional session where Rafael Palmeiro tapped his fingers down as he categorically denied usage by saying “I have never used steroids. Period.”
During the hearing, Sosa’s attorney in a statement said that the slugger has “never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs.”
Sosa also had to deal with cheating the game in another way. During a 2003 game against the Rays, he claimed he accidently used a batting practice bat that was corked during the contest.
The bat exploded and he was suspended by Major League Baseball for eight games.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, who has alluded to the club’s distance to Sosa for his alleged steroid use and lack of acceptance, released the following statement.
He said Sosa was the one who reached out to them.
“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out. No one played harder or wanted to win more. Nobody’s perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.
It is an understatement to say that Sammy is a fan favorite. We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Convention and, while it is short notice, we hope that he can attend. We are all ready to move forward together.”
Sosa is the Cubs’ all-time home run leader with 545 of his 666 career home runs being hit for the North Siders. Like several players in the steroid era, he has been iced out of the Hall of Fame so far.
Despite the steroid connection, some fans have been waiting for the Cubs to acknowledge Sosa for years. Ricketts always said that Sosa needs to take accountability for his alleged steroid use.
The 56-year-old became a Cub ahead of the 1992 season after he was traded by the White Sox for George Bell. He became an all-star for the first time in 1995 and reporters noticed he gained several pounds of muscle going into 1998’s spring training in Mesa.
Sosa went on to hit .308 with 66 home runs and 158 RBIs — bringing back fans along with Mark McGwire who were annoyed by the 1994 MLB strike and lockout.
Former WGN sports anchor Dan Roan was on the call for his 66th homer and final home run of 1998.
The 2025 Cubs Convention is Jan 17-19 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. By saying the club and Sosa “are all ready to move forward together,” it’s possible Sosa is invited back for a ceremony at a home game sometime next season.
The Cubs open up the 2025 season March 18 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.