by Legendary Chicago Cubs slugger 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 a letter of apology Thursday regarding his alleged past use of performance-enhancing drugs.
“I left everything on the field to the Cubs and the Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy.”
“I loved seeing the Wrigley fans in the Right Field Bleachers at every home game.”
“I understand why some players of my era don’t always get the recognition our stats deserve.
“There were times when I did my best to recover from injuries and maintain my strength for 162 games. I have never broken any laws, but in hindsight I made mistakes and I apologize for that.”
“We did great things as a team and I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter.”
“The Cubs fans are the best in the world and I hope the fans, the Cubs and I can all get back together and move on.”
“We cannot change the past, but the future is bright. I have always been a Cub at heart and I can’t wait to see the Cubs fans again.”
In response to this 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, taking place in January.
“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and coming forward. Nobody 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 short notice, we hope he can attend. We are all ready to move forward together.”
It was suspected that Sosa was a PED user during his heyday (early 1990s to early 2000s), although his name was not among the numerous 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 his involvement in the BALCO scandal.
Despite being the only player in Major League Baseball history to hit at least 60 home runs in three different seasons, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for ten years before retiring in 2023, and has been with the Cubs since his retirement alienated the team in 2004.
Sosa’s apology letter ultimately spurred the Cubs to open the door to their former superstar. Ricketts had insisted in the past that Sosa would not be invited back to any 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, received enthusiastic receptions from their former teams after similar apologies.
Now the Cubs are ready to welcome Sosa back to the team and recognize his accomplishments that have brought fans so much joy.
