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Sammy Sosa's return to Chicago, discusses current relationship with Cubs
Sammy Sosa made his return to Chicago, and Lou Canellis caught up with him.
The Chicago Cubs are welcoming one of their most famous players back.
Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a written statement Thursday the franchise is inviting Sammy Sosa to the 2025 Cubs Convention.
"It is an understatement to say that Sammy is a fan favorite," Ricketts said in a statement. "We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Convention and, while it is short notice, we hope that he can attend. We are all ready to move forward together."
This invitation came within an hour of Sosa issuing an apology letter. Sosa, in the letter, does not specifically say what he's apologizing for.
"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. "I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize. We accomplished great things as a team, and I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter."
Sosa left the door open to a return to the Cubs in an interview in March.
The relationship between Sosa and the Cubs franchise has been non-existent since the franchise traded Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles in 2004. Sosa has been connected to the baseball steroid scandal that rocked the sport in the 2010s.
"Like I said, I’m a mature man," Sosa said in March. "I think it’s a possibility that we can do that. I’m open. I don’t have a problem with that. I’ve had a lot of misunderstandings in the past. But now I’m a real man. I feel great. I recognize my mistake. So, hey, why not?"
Then, Sosa said he recognized his mistakes. On Thursday, his words paid homage to the fans that supported him in his 13 seasons as a Cub.
"Cubs' fans are the best in the world, and I hope that fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward," Sosa wrote. "We can't change the past, but the future is bright. In my heart, I have always been a Cub and I can't wait to see Cubs fans again."
It remains to be seen if Sosa will accept that invitation, but it speaks volumes how the Cubs are extending their arms to one of their most beloved players.
"We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out. No one played harder or wanted to win more," Ricketts said in a statement. "Nobody’s perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs."