Chicago Cubs: The Sammy Sosa saga has no end in sight

A historic performer

Sammy Sosa’s numbers speak for themselves. In 16 big league seasons, Sosa hit 609 long-balls, which ranks ninth on the all-time list. 545 of those dingers came in his 13 seasons with the Cubs.

While Mark McGwire, who blasted 70 homers in 1998, gets most of the remembrance for that season, Sosa came away with the hardware. He brought home the National League MVP honors that year. And it’s no wonder why.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

He scored 134 runs, blasted 66 homers and drove in a staggering 158 runs. That’s not to mention he slashed .308/.377/.647 to boot. That showing marked a performance for the ages. And what’s even scarier? He put up several more comparable seasons.

From 1995 to 2003, Sosa eclipsed 100 RBI. During this stretch on the North Side, he averaged 44 home runs and 127 RBI with an average just a tick below .290. Historic is the word you’re looking for.

Allegations tarnish his legacy

Sosa is among the long list of sluggers that are accused of using PEDs. When asked whether or not he ever used PEDs in a recent interview with ESPN Sosa said, “I never tested positive.”

Hearing words like that it feels like Sammy is avoiding the question, so it is tough for me to doubt that he hasn’t taken any performance enhancing drugs in the past. Think about it. If he never took PEDs before, why would he answer that sort of question in a roundabout kind of way. It feels a five-year-old kid trying to get out of getting a timeout.