The legendary slugger was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Salón de la Fama on Friday, embraced by team president Tom Ricketts in a historic moment of reconciliation.
CHICAGO — In a powerful and long-awaited moment, baseball legend Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field on Friday, September 5, 2025, to be honored at the Chicago Cubs Salón de la Fama (Hall of Fame).
The special event marked Sosa’s first official public return to the organization in more than 20 years, since he last played for the team in 2004.
Sosa was warmly welcomed by team president Tom Ricketts, who was waiting to greet the slugger and embraced him in a hug as he stepped out of his car. The ceremony was not only an occasion to honor Sosa’s immense achievements but also a chance for a generation of fans to witness the return of an icon who defined an era of Cubs baseball.
Sosa, who played 13 seasons for the Chicago Cubs, remains one of the greatest hitters in baseball history with 609 career home runs. His most notable season came in 1998, when he captivated the world by hitting a then-record 66 home runs, contributing to the exciting “La Batalla de los Jonrones” (The Home Run Chase) with Mark McGwire.
The relationship between Sosa and the Cubs has been strained for decades, largely due to suspicions related to the use of performance-enhancing stimulants during his playing career.
However, during the ceremony, Sosa publicly apologized for his “past mistakes,” affirming that the time was right to finally receive recognition from his former team and mend the relationship.
Ricketts stated that the team was “ready to move forward with Sosa,” emphasizing that the slugger is an important and undeniable part of Cubs history.
The tribute to Sosa will continue on Sunday, September 7, when the Chicago Cubs host the Washington Nationals. The on-field ceremony will mark a new chapter in the relationship between Sosa and the Chicago fans, closing a painful 20-year gap. The event is a memorable moment, not only for Cubs fans but for baseball fans around the world who remember his historic impact on the game.
