Sammy Sosa Releases New Statement On Steroid Use On Thursday
12/19/2024 02:17 PM
For years seven-time All-Star slugger Sammy Sosa has been estranged from his beloved Chicago Cubs over the steroid scandal he got wrapped up in back in the early-2000s. But he's been working to mend the fences with the organization, starting with a big statement on his accused steroid use.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Sosa admitted to making "mistakes" while recovering from injuries in order "keep my strength up to perform over 162 games." He maintained that he did not break any laws and did not use the words "steroids" or "PEDs," but made it pretty clear what he was talking about.
Via Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
"I left it all on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy.
I loved to see the fans at Wrigley in the Right Field Bleachers every home game.
I understand why some players in my era don't always get the recognition that our stats deserve.
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. I never broke any laws but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.
We accomplished great things as a team, and I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter.
Cubs fans are the best in the world, and I hope that fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward.
We can't change the past, but the future is bright. In my heart, I have always been a Cub and I can't wait to see Cubs fans again."
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts will now be inviting Sammy Sosa back and inviting him to the convention. Nice! pic.twitter.com/x1Di9gbQlt
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 19, 2024
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has accepted Sosa's apology and will be inviting the team legend to the upcoming Cubs Convention, and possibly even join the Cubs Hall of Fame or even have his number retired.
In 13 seasons with the Cubs, Sosa hit 545 home runs with a team-record 66 of them in 1998 and another 63 in 1999. He led Major League Baseball with 50 home runs in 2000, had another 64 in 2001 and led the National League with 49 in 2002.
Unfortunately, the Baseball Hall of Fame has pretty much closed its doors to him as he has not received the requisite number of votes to stay on the ballot.
