Chicago Cubs: The Sammy Sosa Saga Has No End In Sight

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Baseball fans far outside of the Windy City know the name Sammy Sosa. One of the greatest Chicago Cubs of all-time, vanished from the game and in hiding.

The crack of the bat. The roar of a crowd. A few hops as he headed down the first base line. This scene played out time and time again over the years. Chicago Cubs became synonymous with Sammy Sosa and vice versa. In 1998, the slugging outfielder played a huge role in perhaps saving baseball in the Great Home Run Chase.

At that point, few doubted that someday, his number would be retired, the Cubs would erect a statue outside the Friendly Confines and he’d punch a ticket to Cooperstown. But, as we know know, this story plays out in a very different way.

When I was growing up in the mid to late 90s, I had two sports idols: Mia Hamm on the soccer pitch and like the majority of my fellow Chicago Cubs fans, Sammy Sosa.

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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.

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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.

The Broken Relationship With The Cubs

Sammy Sosa is one of the greatest players in the long, storied history of the Chicago Cubs and should be rewarded for his accomplishments. Sadly, that couldn’t be farther from taking place – at least at this time.

Sosa made it very well known that he hasn’t set foot in the city of Chicago since playing his final game in a Cubs uniform back at the end of the 2004 season.

Despite it all, It is sad in my eyes to see Sosa excluded as part of the organization he put on his shoulders for so many years – at least in some capacity.

It is hard to tell what the true issue is between the two sides. But if I had to take a guess it is the Cubs ownership waiting to see if Sosa will come out and tell the truth and by “truth,” I mean the entire truth. I don’t think it will happen for the foreseeable feature. Maybe ever.

Sammy and I

I’ve been writing about the Cubs and baseball for quite a while now, and this has been without a doubt the most difficult and most emotional I’ve ever gotten while writing. As a kid, I looked up to Sammy Sosa. I use to imitate everything he did, and I was heartbroken when Chicago dealt Sosa to Baltimore.

As I’ve gotten older and gotten a better understanding of the game, I know why the Cubs did what they did what they did and why they are standing firm with their opinions, but it’s still painful to watch.

I wish Sammy would just come clean and give the whole truth, but he has always stood by what he has said in both the past and know the present that he won’t change it.

Next: Where does Sosa rank amongst Cubs' all-time sluggers?

Regardless of where things stand, we still have the countless memories Sammy Sosa gave to baseball. And, at least for now, that’s all we have. He has all but disappeared from the game and he doesn’t seem likely to return anytime soon.

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