{"id":62881,"date":"2025-06-20T21:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T21:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=62881"},"modified":"2025-06-20T21:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T21:36:00","slug":"sammy-sosa-welcomed-back-to-wrigley-field-for-first-time-in-21-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=62881","title":{"rendered":"Sammy Sosa welcomed back to Wrigley Field for first time in 21 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Former Cubs great Sammy Sosa, who once was the face of Chicago\u2019s Friendly Confines, made his long-anticipated return to the place he used to hit towering home runs and flash his big smile.<\/p>\n<p>Slammin\u2019 Sammy, as he was affectionately called, is remembered from when he and Mark McGwire captivated the nation in 1998 as the pair battled to break Roger Maris\u2019 longstanding single-season home run record. Sosa \u2013 who won National League MVP honors that year \u2013 finished with 66 home runs and McGwire \u2013 who hit 70 homers to set the mark at the time \u2013 both later became embroiled in allegations of steroid use.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Sosa, a fan favorite whose sprints to his usual right field position ahead of first pitch brought joy and cheers to those sitting in the bleachers, had remained away from Wrigley Field since 2004, when, after 13 seasons, the slugger\u2019s diminishing performances led to a falling out with the organization and his previously adoring fans.<\/p>\n<p>Those hard feelings have all but disappeared judging by the scenes that played out on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>During the Cubs\u2019 home game against the Seattle Mariners, a tribute video highlighting the accomplishments of the renowned No. 21 was played on Wrigley\u2019s video board after the second inning. There was a buzz as the crowd stood and applauded the former Cub. In a suite overlooking the field, Sosa stepped forward to acknowledge the warm welcome and blew kisses, his famous celebration after going yard, and waved to those in attendance. A fan held up high a handmade sign with drawn hearts that read, \u201cWelcome Home Sammy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The sunny afternoon on Chicago\u2019s North Side looked like a near-perfect setting for the anticipated homecoming, with Sosa calling the reception \u201camazing\u201d while speaking with the Marquee Sports Network broadcasters.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am glad to be back,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n<p>Sosa, now 56, remains the organization\u2019s all-time home runs leader (545) and hit 609 homers throughout his 18 seasons with the Cubs, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/GpQKPNXYSEKxPhEsVYQTww--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_sports_articles_205\/8d36d46a85d2c908a115977ad9d062c3\" alt=\"Sammy Sosa welcomed back to Wrigley Field for first time in 21 years\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><dialog aria-label=\"Image Lightbox\" aria-modal=\"true\"><\/dialog><\/div><figcaption>Sammy Sosa hits a home run at Wrigley Field against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999. &#8211; John Zich\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In late 2024, Sosa released a statement apologizing for his mistakes, appearing to allude to performance-enhancing substance use. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, in response, said, \u201cWe are all ready to move forward together,\u201d and invited him to the annual Cubs Convention held in January. The former outfielder was given a raucous standing ovation by fans when he was introduced at the event.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>A month later, Sosa donned his famous No. 21 when he took part as a guest instructor during the club\u2019s spring training.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of Friday\u2019s game, Cubs manager Greg Counsell recalled why Sosa was so popular in Chicago aside from the Dominican\u2019s on-the-field feats, calling him a \u201ctrue entertainer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Counsell said he admired Sosa for his ability to delight crowds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s fun that he\u2019s back. It\u2019s great for our fans,\u201d he said. \u201cThey spent a lot of time enjoying Sammy\u2019s great performances on the field \u2013 entertaining baseball fans &#8211; so to have him back \u2013 it\u2019s a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sosa, along with former first baseman Derrek Lee, are to be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame later this year.<\/p>\n<p>For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Cubs great Sammy Sosa, who once was the face of Chicago\u2019s Friendly Confines, made his long-anticipated return to the place he used to hit towering home runs and flash his big smile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":62882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[281,1629,282,283,2282,993,293,2281,72,295,2283,1168],"class_list":["post-62881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","tag-baltimore-orioles","tag-chicago","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-chicago-white-sox","tag-mark-mcgwire","tag-sammy-sosa","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-slammin-sammy","tag-st-louis-cardinals","tag-texas-rangers","tag-welcome-home-sammy","tag-wrigley-field"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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