Incredible transformation of fan-favorite baseball player Sammy Sosa in a nutshell
Sammy Sosa, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) star, has undergone a significant transformation since his retirement. Born in the Dominican Republic, he was a prominent figure in the 1990s, competing against Mark McGwire for home run supremacy. In 1998, he hit an impressive 66 home runs, followed by 63 in 1999. These numbers surpassed the records of legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron, according to Sporting News. Sosa's reputation, however, took a hit in the subsequent years due to allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs, which led to his separation from the Cubs and a decline in public visibility. Additionally, rumors of skin bleaching surrounded the star. Following his retirement, Sosa chose to retreat from the public eye and focus on establishing a successful multinational business empire. Let's take a look at Sosa's life and career over the years.
1992: Sammy Sosa joins Chicago Cubs
Sammy Sosa, a prominent figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), dedicated 19 seasons of his career to the sport, with the majority of his time spent with the Chicago Cubs. His journey began with the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox before he found his home with the Cubs in 1992, where he established himself as one of the top hitters in the game. The year 1998 marked a significant milestone in Sosa’s career when he and Mark McGwire captivated the world with their extraordinary home run-hitting abilities, chasing Roger Maris’ single-season home-run record. Among MLB players born outside the United States, Sosa holds the second-highest all-time record for home runs. Since 1900, he is one of only three National League players to have achieved 160 RBIs in a single season, a feat he accomplished in 2001. Furthermore, Sosa holds the unique distinction of being the only player to have hit 60 or more home runs in a single season three times - a record he set in 1998, 1999, and 2001. In 2002, Sosa reaffirmed his dominance in the league by leading in home runs, hitting 49 that season. His exceptional performance as a hitter didn’t go unnoticed. He was honored with the Silver Slugger Award, a prestigious recognition for offensive prowess determined by votes from managers and coaches. He first received this accolade in 1995, and then consistently from 1998 to 2002, as per Baseball Reference.
2003: Sammy Sosa ejected for allegedly using corked bat
In 2003, the Cubs won the National League Central Division title but pitcher Mike Sosa faced a setback when he was placed on the disabled list for the first time since 1996 due to a toenail injury. In a game between the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Sosa was ejected in the first inning due to using a corked bat. MLB seized and inspected 76 of his bats, all found cork-free. Sosa apologized for the incident and received an eight-game suspension without pay, which was reduced to seven games without pay on appeal, as per BBC. Despite these challenges, Sosa ended the season with 40 home runs and two more in the 2003 NLCS against the Florida Marlins. However, his team lost in a seven-game series.
2004: Sammy Sosa placed on disabled list due to injury caused by sneeze
In May 2004, Sosa experienced an unusual injury while conversing with reporters beside his locker before a game at San Diego's Petco Park. A forceful sneeze resulted in significant back pain, leading to a diagnosis of back spasms and subsequent placement on the disabled list, as per ESPN.
2005: Sammy Sosa traded to Baltimore Orioles
Sammy Sosa, who was with the Cubs, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on January 28, 2005. In return, the Cubs received Jerry Hairston Jr, an infielder-outfielder, Mike Fontenot, an infielder, and Dave Crouthers, a right-handed pitcher, the New York Times reported. His time with the Baltimore Orioles came to an end on December 7, 2005, when the team elected not to extend an arbitration offer to him, making him a free agent.
2007: Texas Rangers sign Sammy Sosa to minor league deal
On January 30, 2007, Sammy Sosa’s initial team, the Texas Rangers, brought him back into the fold with a minor league contract valued at $500,000. Interestingly, this was the identical contract that Sosa had declined from the Nationals in the previous year. He played his final MLB season with the Rangers in the same year before ending his career two years later.
2009: Sammy Sosa's retirement from MLB
Sosa declared his decision to retire from baseball on June 3, 2009. He also told ESPN his serene anticipation for his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, on June 16, the New York Times published a report stating that Sosa had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. This claim was refuted by Sosa in a statement delivered by his lawyer at a Congressional hearing in 2005.
2013: Sammy Sosa's battle for Hall of Fame
During an interview with ESPN Deportes, Sammy Sosa said he would "calmly wait" for his potential induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, for which he became a candidate in 2013. However, when the results were revealed on January 9, Sosa did not secure a place in the Hall of Fame located in Cooperstown, New York. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) gave him a vote share of 12.5% in his inaugural year on the ballot, falling short of the 75% required for induction. In 2014, the star player celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first game he played in the Major Leagues.
2018: Speculations over Sammy Sosa's skin tone
As Sosa’s skin visibly lightened over time, people started speculating whether he was using chemicals to bleach his skin. This led to a significant backlash against him. In 2009, Sosa confirmed that he uses a skin cream containing bleach to soften his skin, but firmly denied any racial implications. In a 2018 interview with Sports Illustrated, when questioned again about his skin, Sosa stated that he is indifferent to public opinion and does not feel obligated to justify his appearance.
2022: Sammy Sosa's final opportunity for Hall of Fame induction
The year 2022 marked Sammy Sosa’s final opportunity to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite his commendable career achievements, he didn’t make the cut in his last year on the ballot. The doping controversy appears to be a significant hurdle. While his performance statistics warrant a Hall of Fame status, he was unable to secure the necessary 75% vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
2023: Sammy Sosa turns businessman after retirement from MLB
In July 2023, a newly surfaced photo of Sosa took the internet by storm. The image, which displays Sosa with a significantly lighter skin tone compared to his playing days with the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles, left fans in shock. Sosa’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $85 million, as of 2023, the Wealth Record reported. After retirement, the star pivoted to the business world and now presides over a global business conglomerate. However, he chooses to maintain privacy regarding the specifics of his business ventures.
