Sammy Sosa hasn't been invited to Wrigley Field or anything Cubs-related since he retired in 2007, but all that has changed.
It has long been speculated that Sosa may have taken performance-enhancing drugs during his career, particularly during his home run binge in the late 1990s.
The Cubs' owner has long argued that repairing their relationship requires Sosa to apologize and mostly admit that he took steroids.
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Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs during the Cubs' 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 2003 NLDS at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Dilip Vishwanath/Sport News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Sosa admitted Wednesday when the Cubs announced a festival for fans. “I made a mistake.”
“I left everything on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy. I loved seeing the fans at Right Field Bleachers at Wrigley every home game.” Sosa said in the letter. “I understand why some players from my era don’t necessarily get the credit our stats deserve. There was a time when I did the best I could. I never broke down.''The law doesn't matter, but in hindsight I'm sorry for the mistake I made.
“We accomplished great things as a team and practiced hard in the batting cage to become great hitters. Cubs fans are the best in the world, and I hope the fans, Cubs, and I can be reunited. “I can't change the past, but in my heart, I will always be a Cubs and I can't wait to see Cubs fans again.'' ”
Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs struck out in the fifth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (John Zitch/AFP via Getty Images)
The letter was enough to earn Sosa an invitation to the 2025 Cubs Convention. Owner Tom Ricketts said in a statement..
“I'm grateful to Sammy for making a statement and reaching out,” Ricketts said. “I couldn't have asked for anyone to play harder or win more. No one is perfect, but I We never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.” “It is no exaggeration to say that Sammy is a fan favorite. We plan to invite him to the 2025 Cubs Convention and we hope he will be able to attend, albeit at short notice. We are all ready to move forward together.”
Sosa is the only player in MLB history to hit at least 60 home runs in three seasons. He retired with 609 career hits, ranking ninth all-time, but PED speculation kept him away from Cooperstown.
Earlier this year, Sosa walked out of a media session after being questioned about his alleged use of PEDs. He was in Chicago for a commemorative event, but it was his first time in the Windy City since his career ended.
Mark McGwire (right) of the St. Louis Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs laugh during a pregame press conference at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Stephen Jaffee/AFP via Getty Images)
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Sosa is largely credited with reinvigorating baseball with his personal home run derby with Mark McGwire in 1998. Both chased and were crushed. roger marisA record of 61 home runs in a season. McGwire hit 70 and Sosa 66. Sosa swore under oath that he would not take PEDs.
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