After 21 years, Sammy Sosa has finally returned to Wrigley Field.
The former Cub legend made his long-awaited appearance on Friday, marking the first time he’s been back since 2002.
Since his MLB career ended in 2007, Sosa’s skin tone has darkened noticeably. Back in 2009, he explained to Univision that this change was due to a facial cream he used to enhance his complexion.
Cubs fans welcomed Sosa with a standing ovation as he entered the park, arms crossed, and a tribute video played on the scoreboard ahead of the match against the Mariners.
As cameras captured the moment, the seven-time All-Star revelled in the commemorative cheers acknowledging his remarkable home runs.
During his 13 seasons with the Cubs, he hit 545 home runs, gaining notoriety for his astounding 66 home runs in 1998—a mere four shy of the then-record held by Mark McGwire.
However, his departure from Chicago wasn’t exactly smooth. That final season saw him arrive just 70 minutes before the first pitch and leave shortly into the game, resulting in a fine. A disgruntled teammate even destroyed Sosa’s boombox in the clubhouse, showcasing the tension that had built.
Part of the friction stemmed from suspicions around steroid use during his career.
Despite his history, the Cubs have yet to retire his No. 21 jersey. Back in 2014, it was reported that Sosa needed to “make amends” with the organization.
In 2024, he addressed those past mistakes publicly, and the organization welcomed him back with open arms.
He’s been invited to a Cubs Convention Fan Event and is set to be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame this summer.
Now, he’s back in the much-anticipated Wrigleyville.
