For the first time in 21 years, Sammy Sosa returned to the Chicago Cubs dugout on Tuesday as the team took on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a Cactus League game.
The Cubs have had a tense relationship with the former slugger, who helped reignite national interest in baseball during his 1998 home run race with Mark McGwire. That summer, Sosa belted 66 home runs, surpassing Roger Maris’ long-standing single-season record—though McGwire ultimately finished with 70.
However, allegations of steroid use and a corked bat controversy later clouded Sosa’s once-Hall of Fame-worthy legacy. Despite the past friction, he appeared to have mended ties with the organization during the offseason and expressed gratitude for being back in the dugout on Tuesday.
“I’m happy to see everyone,” Sosa said during the game broadcast. “Happy to be here. I also want to say thank you to the Ricketts family for bringing me here, Jed Hoyer, the [General Manager], and Craig Counsell, who has been great to me.”
Sosa shared that he has enjoyed watching the current Cubs players take their swings and has even offered advice, noting, “I’m an expert in that.”
The former slugger finished his career with 609 home runs, 545 of which came during his 13 seasons with the Cubs. He currently ranks ninth on MLB’s all-time home run list.
Sammy Sosa’s statement opened the door to a renewed relationship with the Cubs
Sosa’s return to the Cubs was set in motion last December when he issued an apology—something the team had reportedly “hinted” was necessary, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
“I left it all on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy,” Sosa wrote in his statement. “I loved seeing the fans at Wrigley in the Right Field Bleachers every home game. I understand why some players from my era don’t always receive the recognition that our stats deserve. There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries and maintain my strength to perform over 162 games. I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes, and I apologize.”
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts responded with a statement confirming that the organization was ready to welcome Sosa back.
“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out,” Ricketts’ statement read. “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.”