Sammy Sosa’s fractured relationship with the Chicago Cubs appears to be on the mend.
The retired MLB star, 56, shared a public apology on Thursday, appearing to recognize his alleged use of performance enhancing drugs during his decorated baseball career, writing that he “made mistakes” in the past, the Associated Press reported.
Sosa, who was one of the stars of baseball in the 1990s, has long been accused of using steroids throughout his career, as many baseball players did during that time. His 66-home run season in 1998 still stands as one of the greatest hitting performances of all-time and remains fondly remembered among Cubs fans, who watched him chase rival St. Louis Cardinals star Mark McGwire throughout the summer as they raced to break Roger Maris’ long-standing record of 61 home runs in a single season.
McGwire finished with 70, and Sosa ended up with 66 in one of baseball’s most memorable years – later becoming the subject of ESPN’s Long Gone Summer documentary.
But seven years after the magical season, both Sosa and McGwire were among a cast of MLB players called to testify in front of the U.S. Congress amid a federal hearing focused on the illegal use of steroids in baseball. While many players from what’s become known as baseball’s “Steroid Era” have admitted to using PEDs — including McGwire — Sosa has long claimed his innocence, leading to a strained relationship with his former team.
In his statement Thursday, Sosa seemingly acknowledged the controversy but fell short of explicitly admitting to steroid use: “I understand why some players in my era don’t always get the recognition our stats deserve.”
“There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games,” Sosa said in his statement Thursday. “I never broke any laws, but in hindsight I made mistakes and I apologize.”
Sosa, who is ninth all-time among the MLB’s home run leaders, has been estranged from the Cubs franchise since his 2007 retirement despite his continued adoration among fans. While many former players have returned to act as advocates for the team or make appearances at fan conventions, Sosa’s absence has long been notable among the fanbase.
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It has long been suspected that Sosa’s refusal to acknowledge his alleged steroid use was the thing keeping him at arm’s length from the Cubs franchise. That became evident Thursday when the Cubs’ current owner, Tom Ricketts, issued a statement from the team shortly after Sosa’s public apology, inviting the retired slugger to the team’s upcoming fan convention in mid-January.
“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out,” Ricketts said in his statement. “No one played harder or wanted to win more. Nobody’s perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.”
The team’s chairman added that “we are all ready to move forward together.”
