Sammy Sosa and the Chicago Cubs did not part ways on the best of terms, but enough time has passed that Sosa has voiced his interest in throwing out a ceremonial first pitch if the team reaches the World Series.
Sosa, of course, was not just a Cubs icon at his peak, he was a baseball icon. His star faded rapidly when he was caught using a corked bat in a game in 2003, and was also frequently linked to PED use. With tensions high, the Cubs traded him in January 2005, but now, ten years later, it seems that Sosa is willing to let bygones be bygones.
The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan asked Cubs hitting instructor Manny Ramirez if Sosa should be welcomed back, and Ramirez felt he should be. Sullivan then reached out to Sosa himself, who responded through a spokesperson.
“I want to thank Manny for thinking of me and I would be honored in throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley for a Cubs World Series,” he wrote. “I want to send my best wishes to Manager Joe Madden (sic), the coaches and all the players on their win (Tuesday) night! I am very excited for the current team members to experience this journey!
“I remember how exciting it was for the 2003 team. Now it’s YOUR TURN and you are making us all proud. This is YOUR TIME. Enjoy it and take us all the way to the World Series. GO CUBS.”
Sosa is very much behind the Cubs, even if he can’t get Joe Maddon’s name quite right. Should the team make it that far, though, it seems like the right time for player and organization alike to bury the hatchet. The fans would love it, too. That said, Sosa will have to get in line behind Doc Brown when it comes to first pitch duties.
