Sammy Sosa pens apology to Cubs, Tom Ricketts responds with invite to CubsCon

As Jed Hoyer looks for ways to improve the Chicago Cubs' roster, Thursday marked a return to the organization that fans have been begging for.

Cubs legendary right fielder Sammy Sosa had been in exile from the organization as team chairman Tom Rickett had sought an apology from Sosa over the steroid accusations lingering over the slugger's career.

In a sign that a reconciliation between Sosa and the Cubs may be in the works, Sosa was included on the ballot for the Cubs' Hall of Fame last winter. While Sosa was not inducted, it reignited the desire for Cubs fans to see No. 21 return to the organization.

The return has arrived. In a letter released on Thursday, Sosa issues an apology.

With Sosa issuing a public apology, Ricketts acknowledged the gesture and officially invited Sosa to the Cubs Convention next month.

Sammy Sosa is returning to the Cubs' organization.

Sosa's return to the Cubs' organization arrives nearly 20 years after he was traded by the team to the Baltimore Orioles. The Cubs traded Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles following a 2004 season that ended in disappointment. The Cubs took comfort in tarnishing Sosa's reputation at the time of the trade but time heals all wounds.

One thing is clear: Sosa has a special place in the Cubs' history. Regardless of the accusations that have been levied against him, he carried the Cubs to relevancy during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In his 13 seasons with the Cubs, Sosa belted 545 home runs while posting a .284 batting average.

The Cubs Convention next month will be a special moment for fans, Sosa, and the organization. As excitement builds for the current iteration of the Cubs, the ovation Sosa receives next month may just rival the ovations of Wrigley Field during the 2016 World Series run.