MLB news: Chicago Cubs legend Sammy Sosa returns to Wrigley Field for first time in over 20 years

Sammy Sosa, the legendary Cubs slugger, made a long-awaited return to Wrigley Field after more than 20 years. This happened on Friday before the Chicago Cubs’ game against the Seattle Mariners.

Sosa, who is scheduled to be inducted into the Cubs’ team Hall of Fame this year, arrived at the famous North Side ballpark in a black SUV. Owner Tom Ricketts welcomed him with a hug as he stepped out of the vehicle.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Sosa is well-known for his time with the Cubs, where he played for 13 seasons starting from March 1992 after being traded from the crosstown White Sox. During his time with the Cubs, he became a seven-time All-Star and hit 545 home runs in 1,811 games. In 1998, he set a franchise record by hitting 66 homers and was honored as the NL’s Most Valuable Player.

Sosa, now 56, played his final game with the Cubs at Wrigley on Oct. 2, 2004, when he homered and had two hits in an 8-6 loss to Atlanta. During his years with the Cubs, Sosa appeared to bulk up drastically and was a headliner in a generation of baseball’s biggest names linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

The Cubs traded him to Baltimore with cash in February 2005 for three players.

Sosa appeared to acknowledge using performance-enhancing drugs in December when he released a statement saying he was sorry for mistakes, without specifying them.

“There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games,” he said in the statement. “I never broke any laws. But in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.”

READ MORE | Former Chicago Cubs great Sammy Sosa issues apology: ‘I made mistakes’

On Friday morning, Sosa posed for photos with rising Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong outside the team’s clubhouse and a video showed Sosa embracing manager Craig Counsell in his office before the game.

“(Sosa) saw the wind blowing out today and planned this trip around a good day to be here,” Counsell joked. “He asked to be in the lineup because the wind’s blowing out.”

The Cubs honored Sosa with a video board tribute after the second inning. Sosa waved and bowed to fans from a suite during the presentation.

In Thursday’s 8-7 loss to Milwaukee, Crow-Armstrong went deep to set a new team record for reaching 20 homers and 20-plus stolen stolen bases the fastest, doing it in 73 games. Sosa had the old mark of 96, set in 1994.

Counsell, who faced Sosa as a player, saluted the former slugger for his strength at the plate and long homers, as well as star power.

“Probably the best thing, Sammy was a true entertainer,” Counsell said. “I think when you’re in this long enough, you realize that’s part of this.

“We’re also here to entertain and I think Sammy was great at that.”

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
LA officials charge over 40 anti-ICE protesters who allegedly assaulted officers, horses and threatened child

Los Angeles officials press charges against more than 40 protesters opposing ICE, accused of assaulting officers, horses, and endangering a child

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Officials in Los Angeles…
Yes, Anna Wintour could be brutal. But like me she'll surely feel a deep sense of loss to walk away from the cashmere nest that is the editor's chair at Vogue: ALEXANDRA SHULMAN

Anna Wintour’s Resignation: A Bittersweet Farewell from the Vogue Editor’s Chair

Last week, the news that Anna Wintour would be stepping down from…
United Airlines flight diverted while going to Chicago O'Hare Airport, plane evacuated at St. Louis Lambert International Airport

United Airlines flight heading to Chicago O’Hare Airport redirected and passengers evacuated at St. Louis Lambert International Airport

CHICAGO (WLS) — Passengers endured a scary landing on Tuesday morning after…
Students dub South Jersey Teacher the "World's Strongest Teacher"

Students name teacher from South Jersey the “Strongest Teacher in the World”

Bob Merkh, a 41-year-old social studies teacher at Upper Township Middle School…
Alligator Alcatraz: Trump will visit a remote immigration detention site in the Florida Everglades

Trump to visit a distant immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will be visiting a new immigration detention…
DHS slams 'bizarre tale' about activist allegedly kidnapped by bounty hunters

Department of Homeland Security criticizes ‘strange story’ of activist reportedly abducted by bounty hunters

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Department of Homeland…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker selects Christian Mitchell as running mats for 3rd term bid

JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, Chooses Christian Mitchell as Running Mate for Re-election Campaign

CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker has announced Christian Mitchell will be…
DHS: Assaults on ICE now up nearly 700% over same time last year

The Department of Homeland Security reports a 700% increase in assaults on ICE agents compared to this time last year.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Department of Homeland…
Transgender woman defies Wyoming's new bathroom bill with stunt inside state's capitol building

Transgender woman protests against Wyoming’s new bathroom bill by staging a demonstration in the state’s capitol building

A transgender woman defiantly violated a newly-implemented bathroom law in Wyoming –…
'Project Runway' Season 20 returns July 31 with Heidi Klum, Law Roach & 12 designers competing

“Get ready for ‘Project Runway’ Season 20 featuring Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and 12 talented designers – premieres on July 31!”

The fashion competition returns with Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and more of…
Journalist arrested while covering anti-Trump protest granted bail amid deportation battle

Bail Granted to Journalist Arrested at Anti-Trump Protest amid Deportation Battle

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Georgia immigration judge…
Americans at July 4th celebrations warned of lone wolf terrorist threat

Warning to Americans about the risk of lone wolf terrorism during July 4th celebrations

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Authorities at both local…