Former Cubs Star Sammy Sosa Faces “Roadblock” To Get Back Into Good Graces of Team

Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire set the summer of 1998 on fire with an epic home-run chase that saw the St. Louis Cardinals slugger eventually break Roger Maris’ record for most dingers in a single season with 70 while the Chicago Cubs outfielder hit 66.

Sosa scored 60+ home runs in his career, and won the National League MVP Award in 1998, even though he was not the league’s top homer scorer.

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Ryne Sandberg, a former Cubs player, waves before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in preparation for the National League Championship Series match between Los Angeles (Calif.) and Chicago (Oct. 18, 2017).
(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

It’s what came after that tarnished Sosa’s reputation. Sosa was caught using a corked bat during a 2003 game. Major League Baseball’s He denied ever using steroids, but he was accused of steroid scandal “illegal performance-enhancing drugs” While he played.

Ryne Sandberg spoke briefly about Sosa’s standing with the organization. Sandberg will be honored with a statue outside Wrigley Field during the summer of 2004. The Hall of Fame second baseman told ESPN he supported the organization’s decision not to immortalize Sosa in the same manner.

5-TIME ALL-STAR RETURNING TO TEAM WITH WHICH HE WON MVP: ‘WHERE IT ALL BEGAN’

Sammy Sosa, Chicago Cubs, during their 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS at Wrigley Field.
(Dilip Vishiwanat/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

“For me, playing the game the right way, with respect, was always what I was taught in the minor leagues,” Sandberg spoke to the outlet. “That was my Hall of Fame speech. I think I said it 28 times. And there was a little problem with the way that Sammy played the game. If that’s a roadblock, that’s a roadblock.”

Sosa was on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot for his entry to Cooperstown in 2022 – his 10th and final year on that ballot. 18.5% of the votes went to him. Prospective Hall of Fame inductees must have at least 75% of vote.

Current Hall of Famers could end up voting Sosa in but he’s not eligible for that until 2024.

Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs strikes out against Cincinnati Reds in the fifth at-bat at Wrigley Field.
(John Zich/AFP via Getty Images

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Sosa spent 18 years in major league baseball. He had 609 home runs and 1,667 RBI.

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