Sammy Sosa Makes a Triumphant Return to Wrigley Field: Celebrating Over 20 Years Since His Last Appearance

Sammy Sosa Returns to Wrigley Field

Sammy Sosa made a memorable return to Wrigley Field after more than 20 years. This visit came before the Chicago Cubs’ game against the Seattle Mariners. Sosa, who will be honored in the Cubs’ Hall of Fame this year, received a warm welcome from team owner Tom Ricketts, who greeted him with a heartfelt hug.

Sosa is an iconic figure in Cubs history, playing for the team for 13 seasons after being traded from the White Sox in 1992. During his time with the Cubs, he was a seven-time All-Star and launched 545 home runs. His standout year was 1998, when he hit a record 66 homers and was named the National League MVP.

His last game with the Cubs was on October 2, 2004. In that game, he homered and had two hits, even as the team lost to Atlanta. Sosa’s career was marked by a noticeable physical transformation, raising questions about performance-enhancing drugs. In 2005, he was traded to Baltimore. He later acknowledged using such substances to manage injuries, expressing regret but not specifying his mistakes.

Before Friday’s game, Sosa took pictures with rising star Pete Crow-Armstrong and shared a light moment with Cubs manager Craig Counsell. "He planned his trip around a good day," Counsell joked, referencing the favorable wind conditions for hitting.

The Cubs honored Sosa with a video tribute during the game, where he waved to fans from a suite. Meanwhile, Crow-Armstrong set a new record for reaching 20 homers and 20 steals the fastest, breaking Sosa’s previous mark from 1994.

Counsell, who faced Sosa as a player, praised him for his impact on the game. "Sammy was a true entertainer," he said, highlighting Sosa’s ability to connect with fans and make baseball exciting.

Sosa’s return not only rekindles memories for long-time fans but also sparks discussions about the evolution of baseball and how figures like him have shaped the game.

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Craig Counsell, Tom Ricketts, Seattle Mariners, Baseball, Chicago Cubs, General news, Sports Stories, Illinois, IL State Wire, MLB, Sports, Sammy Sosa, Doping, Chad Deaton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, U.S. news, MLB baseball, U.S. News