Chicago Cubs: Team reportedly shuts door on future Sammy Sosa reunion
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly set to ‘shut the door’ on any future reunion between the organization and its all-time home run leader, Sammy Sosa.
According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Cubs are moving on from any future reunion with Sosa. This report comes on the heels of a controversial interview Sosa took part in with blogger Chuck Wasserstrom this week.
According to multiple sources, Sosa’s comments in an interview with blogger Chuck Wasserstrom were deemed so bizarre it convinced the organization to close the door on the possibility of ending his 13-year exile.
This hardly comes as a surprise given the comments Sosa made in the interview. These ranged from comparisons to Jesus Christ to putting pride above all else. However, he did say that he would be open to returning if invited by the Cubs.
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If I were him, I wouldn’t count on that happening.
The organization declined to comment on the interview, which hardly comes as a shock. Last season, the Cubs finally shut the door on the past, winning a championship. The Ricketts family isn’t likely to go searching for links to the past such as Sosa.
A reunion, but only on Sosa’s terms – not going to happen
When asked about a potential reunion with the Cubs, Sosa sent mixed messages in the interview.
“I’m not going to go up there and say, ‘I’m here. Please bring me back and give me a chance.’ No way. I’m not hungry. I have too much pride. They know where they can find me. They’re in their way; I am in my way. If they want to have a meeting – of course … I’m a gentleman. I’d never say ‘No’ to that. If one day it happens, I’d be happy. And if it doesn’t, we can talk again on Skype.”
The latest remarks are seemingly the last straw for ownership. They show an arrogance and pride that differs greatly from the Cubs’ mantra on the field and in the clubhouse. Leaders such as Anthony Rizzo and Jon Lester preach ‘team first’ – a concept far above Sosa’s head.
Dozens of former Chicago players attended the World Series games at Wrigley Field last fall, but Sosa was nowhere to be found. At this rate, Steve Bartman probably has a better chance of being a guest than the 48-year-old former outfielder.
(No, guys. I’m kidding – don’t expect to see Bartman at Wrigley next season).
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This is a big chapter in Cubs’ history. Sosa is the all-time franchise home run leader. His 66-home run season in 1998 still ranks as one of the best offensive seasons of all-time. After 13 years on the North Side, he left on a bad note in 2004.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, appears to be the end of Sammy Sosa and the Chicago Cubs.