Sammy Sosa had an opportunity to go down in history as one of the best Chicago Cubs ever. Then in 2003 a report came out that labeled Sosa as one of many players the used PED’s, and well the rest is history.
Sosa now says he’s ready to forgive the Cubs, and during a live webcast that he set up, stated that the Cubs should have been retired his #21 jersey via ESPN Chicago.
“I think that is something that I’m looking for,” Sosa said of the prospect of having his No. 21 retired. “That is something I want to happen. I’m kind of surprised it didn’t happen before, but time will determine everything. When that happens, I would be more comfortable and more happy. I will be there with all my family.
“This is a good number that I carried for 14 years (actually 13) in Chicago, and I represented that number, so that number should have been retired a long time ago.”
New Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said he might be open to reaching out to Sosa at some point.
“When we got here there wasn’t much communication, and we really haven’t focused on it,” said Ricketts, whose family bought the Cubs in 2009, five years after Sosa’s last season with the team. “Maybe it’s an issue we pick up this year.”
Sosa says if he ever returns to the Cubs it won’t be as a coach. Sosa alluded to the fact that he’s to smooth a dude to do such a thing.
“The way that I dress says everything,” said Sosa, who was wearing a blue sport coat while sitting behind a desk at his office on the webcast. “My life, my career has been such a great career that I believe that my ability is not to be a coach. No offense. Maybe one day, we never know. But right now, I have two beautiful companies with Riverhead Homes and Injex 21, which is moving forward very strongly.
“That’s the way that I feel I can be on my life. Going back to the field, maybe in the future when we have an opportunity maybe with Chicago again down the road I’d probably change my mind. But, right now, I’m comfortable here and I like it.”
In an Irony Sosa owns a company that specializes in non needle injections.