July 31, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Scoreboard workers watch during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Cubs beat the Brewers 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports
This article was written by FanSided.com sports writer David Miniel. To read more of his work, check out his FanSided profile here.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know that isn’t Sammy Sosa rounding the bases for the Chicago Cubs in this picture, but it’s pretty close.
Now if you’re familiar with baseball, you know who Sammy Sosa happens to be. Sosa was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1989, spent time with the Chicago White Sox from ’89-’91 then 12 years with the Chicago Cubs.
After a fall out with the club, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2005 then ended up with the Rangers in 2007 where he finally retired.
Sosa accomplished a number of things (besides winning a World Series) with the Chicago Cubs. He’s a 7x All-Star (1995, 1998-2002, 2004), 6x Silver Slugger award winner (1995, 1998-2002), a National League MVP (1998), Roberto Clemente award winner (1998), Hank Aaron award winner (1999) and even won the Home Run Derby in 2000.
Now according to CSN Chicago, Sammy Sosa is talking about wanting to come back home to the Chicago Cubs.
"“It was my house for many years. It’s like the father got the son home. The son leaves for many, many years. All of a sudden, 10, 20, 30 years later, the son comes back to the house. That’s my hope and expectation. So one day, I will go back to my house.” Sammy Sosa told CSN Chicago."
Even former Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen who played with Sosa while he was with the Chicago White Sox spoke about Sosa and the Cubs saying:
"“I don’t care what people say about Sammy. Sammy Sosa saved baseball and the Cubs. Now, we’re just kicking him in the butt and saying ‘get out of here’. And somebody else [Junior Lake] is wearing [jersey] No. 21. That’s disrespectful.” Guillen said about the Cubs and Sosa."
Well Ozzie, there has been a number of players who have wore No. 21 ever since Sosa retired. Guys like Jason Marquis, Milton Bradley, Tyler Colvin, Luis Valbuena, Joe Mather, Scott Hairston and now Junior Lake have all worn Sosa’s number.
I agree this number should be retired and hung up on the foul pole, but you can’t make that big of a deal out of it.
Anyways, as a long time Chicago Cubs fan, I would personally love to see Sammy Sosa step foot on Wrigley Field again. I think there would be a great turnout for him. He did so much for this organization and gave us a lot of great memories.
Come home Sammy, come home.