Legendary Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field for the first time in over two decades on Friday before a game against the Mariners. The Hall of Fame-bound player, who played 13 seasons with the Cubs from 1992 to 2004, arrived at the iconic ballpark in a black SUV and was greeted by owner Tom Ricketts.
Sosa’s return came as he is set to be inducted into the Cubs’ Hall of Fame this year. The seven-time All-Star hit 545 home runs during his time with the Cubs, including a franchise-record 66 in 1998 when he won National League MVP honors.
During his tenure, Sosa became a fan favorite despite controversy surrounding his use of performance-enhancing drugs. He appeared to acknowledge using PEDs in a statement released last year, apologizing for any mistakes made during his career.
On Friday, Sosa posed for photos with Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong and was honored with a videoboard tribute after the second inning. Manager Craig Counsell praised Sosa’s strength at the plate and star power, calling him “a true entertainer” who helped bring excitement to the game.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45552152/cubs-great-sammy-sosa-back-wrigley-20-plus-year-absence