The Cubs finally did it; they’re allowing Sammy Sosa back into their good graces. Yes, he’s back, and now he’ll headline the 2025 Cubs Convention. Just like that huh? The whole thing is kind of weird.
Who didn’t love Sammy Sosa back in the day? He was electric. The hop after he launched one, the hustle in the outfield using his big arm to gun down guys on the basepaths, the tap on the chest with his two fingers after kissing them… of course the home run race with Mark McGwire, which kicked off the steroid era; nobody had a problem with it back then, and by nobody, I mean Major League Baseball. They knew, let’s be honest; they looked the other way. We suspected, but I guess we looked the other way too. When Brady Anderson popped up with like 50+ home runs, along with a whole bunch of other guys; Barry Bonds looking like the Incredible Hulk after being very skinny. Even McGwire and Sosa looking like they’d fit right in on Venice Beach working out. Everybody loves the long ball is what we said. Yet, when the shit hit the fan, every player associated with that era was blackballed; they’re cheaters. Sosa was part of this group. Personally, it wasn’t that for me; it wasn’t even the corked bat. It was when he walked out on his teammates; that’s when I said F Sammy. What are we talking? 30 years ago?
Everybody gets a 2nd chance, right? Well, not everybody. Although Sosa and the rest of the steroid era will probably never get into the baseball HOF, right or wrong, Sosa will be in the Cubs Hall of Fame. Welcoming him back into the fold makes sense. It doesn’t erase all the bad stuff that he did. In fact, he really never even apologized, which is what the Cubs brass demanded. There is not one among us that is perfect. Do we hold this stuff against him forever? Do we forget about all the good vibrations Sammy brought in Wrigley? We take the good with the bad with people; the same can be said for Sammy. Surely, it will give Marquee a lot more highlights to show for their programming…
Am I going to go out and buy a Sosa shirt for myself or my son? No. Am I going to run to the Cubs convention to celebrate? No. Do I agree with all the decisions Sammy made over the years? No. Am I happy that one of our own has been welcomed back? Yes, yes I am. From a 30 year freeze out period to being welcomed back with open arms, it’s just kind of funny to me, but… I’m good with it. Does he belong in the HOF? Who knows. Does he belong in the Cubs HOF? I think so. Do you consider him the Cubs home run king over Ernie Banks? Wow, tough question. Can’t we just be happy to see Sammy around the Cubs again? That’s where I’m at. No need to get too deep; let’s just enjoy seeing 21 again around Wrigley. Let’s just remember all the good memories Sammy provided us. Welcome back Sosa.
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