For the first time in over two decades, Chicago Cubs legend Sammy Sosa is back with the organization in an official capacity.
After years of estrangement, Sosa was welcomed back this offseason when he was inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame.
Now, he has returned to spring training as a guest instructor, marking his first time in camp since his playing days.
Sosa expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the team and impart his knowledge to the next generation of Cubs players.
“It’s great, I mean after 21 years coming back here, yesterday was first day and I got an opportunity to see the game and also teach,” Sosa said.
“That was great, I mean, I’m happy to be here. Blessed. And once again, I have to say thank you to the Rickett family for this opportunity, Craig Counsell and Jed Hoyer for that opportunity.”
Sosa, known for his infectious energy during his playing career, is embracing the role of mentor.
“Great man, I feel like I’m playing a game,” Sosa said. “But it’s good, all the players are happy for me to be here. I have a lot to contribute here. I believe that the opportunity is here, so I’m enjoying it right now.”
The Cubs will kick off their season early this year, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18 in the Tokyo Series, followed by a second game on March 19.
Sosa’s presence in camp comes at a crucial time as the team fine-tunes its roster for the international showcase and the season ahead.
Whether Sosa’s involvement will become an annual tradition remains to be seen, but for now, he is relishing the chance to reconnect with the franchise and its players.
Sosa’s return to the Cubs comes as the debate over steroid-era players and their Hall of Fame eligibility continues.
Despite hitting 609 career home runs – 545 of them in a Cubs uniform – Sosa remains outside of Cooperstown, along with other controversial stars like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Roger Clemens.
Speaking with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Sosa acknowledged the complexities surrounding the issue but remained hopeful for eventual recognition.
“That’s a very delicate route, you know what I mean? But come on, nobody was blind,” Sosa said of PED use.
“I believe in time … Nobody’s perfect. Time will heal all wounds. I really believe that one day the door will be open for us.”
Sosa’s 1998 home run race with McGwire captivated baseball fans, as both sluggers shattered Roger Maris’s long-standing single-season home run record.
Though McGwire edged him out with 70 homers to Sosa’s 66, it was Sosa who took home the National League MVP award that year.
Beyond Sosa’s return, the Cubs have made significant roster upgrades in hopes of returning to the postseason.
A blockbuster trade for star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros adds a powerful bat to the lineup, while the acquisition of former Houston closer Ryan Pressly strengthens the bullpen.
Last season, the Cubs ranked 12th in MLB in runs scored but fell short of a playoff spot. With Tucker’s offensive firepower and Sosa’s guidance providing an early boost in spring training, Chicago hopes to climb the ranks in a competitive NL Central.
The division remains a battleground, with the upstart Reds, a pitching-heavy Pirates squad, and the ever-consistent Brewers standing in their way. However, if the Cubs’ new-look offense clicks, a postseason return could be within reach.
For now, Sosa is back where he made history, offering his wisdom and enjoying his long-awaited reunion with the Cubs.
Still, the question remains as “juicy” as ever: Does Sosa (and the others) deserve to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame???
