Sammy Sosa

Guide Note

Sammy Sosa is an All-Star designated hitter for the Texas Rangers. Sosa came into the league in 1989 for the Texas Rangers. The most successful days of Sosa's career came with the Chicago Cubs, though Sosa never won a World Series with the team.

Fast Facts

1. Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria
2. Signed: 1985, Texas
3. All-star appearances: 7
4. MVP award: 1998
5. 50+ HR seasons: 4 (1998-2001)
6. 60+ HR seasons: 3
7. Named in 2007 Mitchell Report

Sosa has fought rumors of his cheating with steroids for several years. Sosa's name was not mentioned in the Mitchell Report on steroids, but he was identified in a related affidavit. During a congressional hearing on steroids, Sosa claimed that he could not answer questions by congress because of his limited English abilities. Sosa was also involved in a corked bat incident on June 3, 2003 when his bat broke and an umpire discovered that it had a corked center. More than 70 of Sosa's bats from that season, as well as four bats from the Baseball Hall of Fame were tested, but no other bats were discovered to have been corked.

Sosa was involved in the chase for Rodger Marris' home run record in 1998, along with Mark McGuire. Sosa finished the season with 66 home runs, behind McGuire's 70. Barry Bonds later hit 73 home runs in a season, making Sosa third all time for most home runs in a season.