Sammy Sosa is one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history. He played 19 seasons in the Major League Baseball (MLB), mostly with the Chicago Cubs, and became a seven-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger, and the 1998 National League MVP. He also won the Roberto Clemente Award for his humanitarian efforts and the Hank Aaron Award for his offensive performance. He is one of only nine players in MLB history to hit 600 career home runs, and one of only three players to hit 60 or more home runs in a single season three times¹² Lets talk about Sammy Sosa career highs and lows.

But Sosa’s career was not without controversy and challenges. He faced accusations of using performance-enhancing drugs, a scandal involving a corked bat, and a strained relationship with the Cubs and their fans. He also had to deal with racism, poverty, and injuries throughout his life. In this post, we will explore the highs and lows of Sammy Sosa’s remarkable career in the MLB.

Sammy Sosa: The Highs and Lows of a Legendary Slugger – Early Life and Career

Sosa was born on November 12, 1968, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He grew up in a poor Batey community in Consuelo, where he worked as a shoeshine boy and sold oranges to help his family. He was known as “Mikey” by his family and friends, a nickname given by his maternal grandmother who heard it on a soap opera²³

Sosa developed a passion for baseball at an early age and played with improvised equipment such as milk cartons and tree branches. He was discovered by a talent scout when he was 15 years old and signed with the Texas Rangers for $3,500. He made his major league debut on June 16, 1989, at the age of 20, hitting his first career home run off Roger Clemens¹²

Sosa was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1989 and then to the Chicago Cubs in 1992. He struggled to establish himself as a consistent hitter in his first few seasons, but he showed flashes of power and speed. He hit 33 home runs and stole 36 bases in 1993, becoming the first Cub to join the 30-30 club. He also won his first Silver Slugger Award that year¹

Sammy Sosa: The Highs and Lows of a Legendary Slugger – The Home Run Race of 1998

Sosa’s breakout season came in 1998, when he engaged in an epic home run race with Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both players were chasing Roger Maris’ single-season record of 61 home runs, which had stood since 1961. The race captivated the nation and helped revive interest in baseball after the 1994 strike.

Sosa started the season slowly, hitting only nine home runs by the end of May. But he caught fire in June, hitting 20 home runs in that month alone, setting a new MLB record. He also hit four home runs in one game on June 15 against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first Cub to do so. By the end of June, he had 33 home runs, one behind McGwire.

The race continued throughout the summer, with both players hitting home runs at a historic pace. On September 8, McGwire hit his 62nd home run against the Cubs at Busch Stadium, breaking Maris’ record. Sosa was on the field that day and congratulated McGwire with a hug, showing respect and sportsmanship. Sosa hit his 62nd home run four days later against the Brewers at Wrigley Field, joining McGwire in history.

The race ended on September 27, with McGwire hitting his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos, setting a new record that would stand until Barry Bonds broke it in 2001. Sosa finished with 66 home runs, becoming only the second player to hit more than 60 home runs in a season.

Sosa also led the NL with 158 RBIs and helped the Cubs reach the playoffs for the first time since 1989. He won the NL MVP award over McGwire by a narrow margin, becoming the first Latin American player to do so. He also won his second Silver Slugger Award and received the Roberto Clemente Award for his humanitarian work in his native Dominican Republic, where he donated money and supplies to victims of Hurricane Georges¹²

The 60-Home Run Club

Sosa continued to dominate the league in the next few seasons, hitting 60 or more home runs in 1999 and 2001, and 50 home runs in 2000 and 2002. He became the first player to hit 60 or more home runs in a season three times, and the only player to do so in consecutive seasons. He also led the NL in home runs in 2000 and 2002, and in RBIs in 2001. He won four more Silver Slugger Awards and made five more All-Star appearances. He also won the Hank Aaron Award in 1999 for being the best offensive player in the NL¹

Sosa was one of the most popular and charismatic players in the game, known for his trademark hop after hitting a home run, his chest-thumping salute to the fans, and his infectious smile. He was nicknamed “Slammin’ Sammy” and “The Dominican Dream”. He was also a generous and philanthropic person, donating millions of dollars to various causes, especially in his homeland. He founded the Sammy Sosa Foundation, which provided medical care, education, and housing to underprivileged children. He also supported the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Pediatric AIDS Foundation²³

Sammy Sosa: The Highs and Lows of a Legendary Slugger – The Downfall

Sosa’s career took a turn for the worse in 2003, when he was involved in two major controversies that tarnished his reputation and legacy. The first one occurred on June 3, when he broke his bat on a groundout against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Wrigley Field. The bat was found to be corked, meaning it had been illegally altered to make it lighter and faster. Sosa claimed that he had accidentally used a bat that he had intended for batting practice and exhibitions, not for official games. He said he had never used a corked bat before and apologized for his mistake.

The MLB investigated the incident and confiscated 76 of Sosa’s bats from his locker. They found no evidence of corking in any of them, but they still suspended Sosa for eight games, which was later reduced to seven after an appeal. Sosa accepted the punishment and said he had learned from his error. However, many fans and media members were skeptical of his explanation and wondered if he had used corked bats throughout his career¹²

The second controversy occurred on September 28, the last day of the regular season. The Cubs had already clinched the NL Central division title and were playing against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Sosa left the game after one inning and left the ballpark before it was over, without permission from manager Dusty Baker or his teammates. He later said he had left because he thought the game was over and he wanted to avoid traffic.

The Cubs were furious with Sosa’s behavior and fined him $87,400, one day’s pay. They also questioned his commitment to the team and his leadership role. Sosa apologized for his actions and said he had made a mistake. He said he loved Chicago and wanted to stay with the Cubs. However, his relationship with the organization and the fans had been damaged beyond repair¹²

Sosa’s performance also declined in 2003, as he hit only .279 with 40 home runs and 103 RBIs, his lowest totals since 1997. He also struck out a career-high 143 times and had a career-low .358 on-base percentage. He did help the Cubs reach the NL Championship Series against the Florida Marlins, but they lost in seven games after blowing a 3-1 series lead.

Sosa played one more season with the Cubs in 2004, hitting .253 with 35 home runs and 80 RBIs. He also hit his 500th career home run on April 4 against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, becoming the 18th player to reach that milestone. He also hit his 600th career home run on June 20 against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, becoming the fifth player to reach that milestone.

However, Sosa’s final season with the Cubs was marred by injuries, conflicts, and controversies. He missed a month of action due to back spasms caused by sneezing too hard. He also clashed with Baker over his playing time and role on the team. He was booed by Cubs fans who had grown tired of his attitude and decline.

In Conclusion

Sosa’s career in the MLB was a roller coaster of highs and lows, of triumphs and controversies, of records and scandals. He was one of the most electrifying and polarizing players of his era, a legend who inspired awe and admiration, but also suspicion and resentment. He left a lasting mark on the game of baseball, but also on the hearts and minds of millions of fans around the world. Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Sammy Sosa was a force to be reckoned with.

What do you think of Sammy Sosa’s career? Do you consider him a hero or a villain? Do you think he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more stories like this. Thank you for reading!

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Sources and References for this Post Sammy Sosa: The Highs and Lows of a Legendary Slugger

1. baseball-reference.com 2. en.wikipedia.org 3. biography.com 4. liferampup.com