CHICAGO — Sammy Sosa ran onstage carrying an American flag. The crowd cheered wildly.
It was like old times: Only Sosa was dressed in a suit, and the scene took place in a downtown hotel ballroom instead of Wrigley Field.
Sosa and the Chicago Cubs are back together after the slugger returned to the team’s annual fan convention Friday. The Cubs also announced that Sosa will be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this year, alongside former first baseman Derrek Lee.
The reconciliation began when Sosa issued a vague statement last month apologizing for unspecified mistakes. Sosa faced questions about the use of performance-enhancing drugs, but he said that was not the reason for his statement.
“No. I’m talking about, like, 21 years ago,” said Sosa, who played his final season with the Cubs in 2004. “I had fans who loved me a lot. I had to apologize to them because I mean, normally they see me play for so many years.
Although Sosa, 56, declined to elaborate on his apology, it didn’t seem at all important to Cubs fans — who have been clamoring for a reunion for years — or to the organization, which staged a rousing reception after ignoring the seven-time All-Star for decades.
There was a standing ovation when Sosa was announced as part of the team’s Hall of Fame class, and the cheers grew louder when he appeared on stage holding the flag — reminiscent of how he rushed to right field in the Cubs’ first home game after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
There was another big ovation when Sosa returned to the stage near the end of the convention’s opening ceremony, this time wearing his old No. 21 Cubs jersey.
“I think today was a perfect day,” Sosa said.
Sosa rose to prominence with the Cubs after being acquired in a March 1992 trade with the crosstown White Sox for George Bell. Nicknamed Slammin’ Sammy, he hit a franchise record with 545 home runs and drove in 1,414 runs in 13 years on the North Side.
Sosa became a national figure when he staged a memorable duel with Mark McGwire during the 1998 season. Sosa went deep 66 times and won the NL MVP award, and McGwire finished with 70 home runs, breaking the record of baseball in a single season at the time.
But Sosa’s ties to the Cubs have been damaged by allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs, as well as questions about his behavior. He was traded to Baltimore after showing up late for the 2004 finale at Wrigley Field and leaving early.
While testifying to Congress in 2005, Sosa denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
“I had a chance to play with Sammy my first year here, and he was always good to me,” Lee said. “You know, he taught me a lot about hitting. One of the hardest workers you’ll ever see. I came to play every day.
“He admitted his mistakes, apologized for them, and moved on. We have all made mistakes and we all want forgiveness. So, it’s time to move on. It’s been a long time.
Sosa finished his big league career with a .273 batting average and 609 home runs – currently ninth on the career list. He also totaled 1,667 RBIs and 234 stolen bases in 18 seasons from 1989 to 2007.
Sosa is a long way from being elected to the Hall of Fame in 2022 in his 10th and final appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. His next chance to be considered would be if he was placed on the ballot of the Contemporary Players Committee, which meets next December.
“I think Sammy has been a part of some magical summers here, some big summers here,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who played against Sosa in the majors. “He entertained people like one of the few ever did, in a Chicago Cubs uniform. So it’s good that he’s back. It’s great that he’s here.
