Sammy Sosa Returns to Cubs, Addresses Steroid Era and Hall of Fame Hopes
MESA, Ariz. – The familiar sight of Sammy Sosa sporting a Chicago Cubs uniform has brought a wave of nostalgia and excitement to Sloan Park, marking his first appearance with the team in 21 years. While his return has been filled with smiles and laughter, the conversation inevitably veers toward the elephant in the room: the steroid era and its impact on his Hall of Fame aspirations.
During a morning interview, Sosa’s demeanor noticeably shifts when the topic of performance-enhancing drugs arises. His expansive smile fades, replaced by a visible discomfort. He shuffles his feet, lowers his head, and momentarily avoids eye contact, signaling the sensitivity of the subject.
"Man, I don’t really want to go that route, not now," Sosa says softly, his voice halting as he navigates the delicate territory. "That’s a very delicate route, you know what I mean? But come on, nobody was blind. Steroids and performance-enhancing drugs."
The shadow of PED suspicions has long loomed over Sosa’s Hall of Fame candidacy, mirroring the challenges faced by other prominent figures like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. While none of them ever tested positive during their careers, the cloud of suspicion has hindered their chances of enshrinement.
The fate of Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa now rests with the Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Baseball Era committee, which will convene in December 2026 to vote on their eligibility. Sosa remains hopeful, but acknowledges the uphill battle he faces.
"I believe in time," Sosa says. "Nobody’s perfect. Time will heal all wounds. I really believe that one day the door will be open for us."
Sosa, along with Mark McGwire, played a pivotal role in revitalizing baseball during the 1998 home run chase, captivating the nation as they pursued Roger Maris’ single-season record. McGwire ultimately broke the record with 70 home runs, while Sosa finished with an impressive 66.
McGwire later admitted to using steroids during his career, publicly apologizing in 2010 and elaborating on his experiences in a 2023 interview. He emphasized that there was no testing or regulations in place at the time, and that the mentality was to maintain health and performance on the field.
"There was nothing illegal about it," McGwire said. "There was no testing at that time. It was a widespread thing in the game. It wasn’t like you’re feeling guilty. The mentality was to keep yourself healthy on the field."
"Looking back now, yeah, I feel horrible about that. I wish there were testing. I wish there were some regulations. If there was rules and regulations, that would have never even crossed my mind to do something like that. But there was nothing back in the day."
Sosa, on the other hand, has never admitted to steroid use. However, he has apologized for "past mistakes," leading to his reconciliation with the Cubs organization and his induction into their Hall of Fame in January.
"I read Mark’s interview, and I agree with what he said," Sosa says. "There was no testing. There were no rules. We didn’t break any laws. If truth be told, PEDs were nearly as common as chewing tobacco. There were a few front office executives and managers who actually encouraged some players to take PEDs. And if you traded or signed a free agent who was using PEDs, you certainly didn’t want him to suddenly stop."
One former general manager echoed this sentiment, recounting a situation where a player he signed stopped using PEDs upon joining the team, ultimately impacting his performance and costing the GM his job.
The absence of positive drug tests or suspensions for Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa underscores the complexities of their Hall of Fame candidacies. Without a clear admission of PED use or a change in the perception of the era, their path to Cooperstown remains uncertain.
One suggestion to potentially sway voters is for a current Hall of Famer to admit to using PEDs during that era. Such an admission could provide context and perspective, acknowledging the prevalence of PEDs within the game at the time.
"I’m still proud of what I did," Sosa says. "I had great years, I never tested positive. And anyways, there were no rules. No rules back then. None."
"I played hard and I made a lot of people happy."
Major League Baseball did not implement testing for PEDs until 2004, and the ban on amphetamines came in 2006. Testing for human growth hormone (HGH) through blood samples began in 2013.
Sosa, who amassed 609 career home runs, holds the distinction of being the only player in baseball history with three seasons of at least 60 home runs. He also led the league in games played in three different seasons, demonstrating his durability and commitment to the game.
"I used to fight with the manager because they wanted to give me the day off," Sosa says, laughing. "I kept saying, I don’t need a day off. It’s a day I could hit three home runs."
"I prepared myself mentally and physically to play the whole year. The more I was out there, the more damage I could. I was excited to be out there there, every day."
Sosa’s presence in the lineup was a major draw for Cubs fans, who packed Wrigley Field to witness his remarkable performances. During his tenure, the Cubs made the playoffs twice, and the team consistently drew between 2.6 million and 3.1 million fans each year.
"I know were losing games," Sosa says, "but at least they were there to see me and hope I’d do something special. I had a lot of tremendous years. I gave the Cubs everything I had. The fans loved that."
Now, 21 years later, Sosa’s return to the Cubs has been met with enthusiastic cheers from fans at Sloan Park. Players have gravitated toward him, seeking his guidance and advice.
"Baseball has been my life, and will always be my life," Sosa says. "I grew up in baseball. I spent my career in baseball. This means everything to me."
"This is the team that gave me the opportunity to put up my numbers."
"This is my house."
Since Sosa’s departure, no Cubs player has hit 50 home runs in a single season. Derrek Lee, who was inducted into the Cubs’ Hall of Fame alongside Sosa, is the only other player to have reached the 40-homer mark.
Looking at the broader landscape of baseball, only Aaron Judge of the Yankees has surpassed 60 home runs in a season since Sosa’s retirement in 2005, hitting an AL-record 62 home runs in 2022.
When asked if anyone will ever break Barry Bonds’ single-season record of 73 home runs, Sosa expresses doubt.
"No, I don’t think so, not the way the game is now," Sosa says. "I think 73 is crazy. Barry was the best in the world. When they made a mistake, he didn’t miss it."
Similarly, Sosa questions whether anyone will ever replicate his feat of hitting at least 60 home runs in three different seasons.
"In this day and age, I don’t know it that can happen, either," Sosa says. "If it happens, great. It’s just not that easy. Fortunately, I’m the lucky one to do it."
"Hopefully, that will stay forever, too."
He also expressed his hope that someone will eventually join Albert Pujols in the exclusive club of 700-home run hitters.
"You never say no in this game, but I don’t know," Sosa says. "Hopefully, someone will do it. But look at Albert. Oh, my God, what an unbelievable hitter. I don’t know if we’ll ever see someone hit like Albert again. He can do it all."
While Sosa’s future role with the Cubs remains uncertain, his presence as a guest instructor has been well-received by players and coaches alike.
"It’s been great," Cubs manager Craig Counsell says. "It’s so hard to believe it’s been 20 years, but his name is never that far away. I think just for him, not being around players for the last 20 years, that’s kind of the challenging part about coming in."
"But he’s been great. It’s been great. I tell the guys, you don’t know what you’re going to pick up. Just keep your ears open."
Several players, including Vidal Bruján and Kevin Alcántara, have already praised Sosa’s impact, with Alcántara referring to him as a mentor.
"Just being back here and helping with what I can," Sosa says, "I feel like a little boy again. This is there I belong."
"It feels great to be back. And it feels great making people happy again."
