Sammy sosa biography summary template

Dominican baseball player (born 1968)

In this Spanish name, the labour or paternal surname is Peralta and the second or maternal consanguinity name is Sosa.

Baseball player

Sammy Sosa
Sosa in 2012
Right fielder
Born: (1968-11-12) Nov 12, 1968 (age 56) San Pedro conduct Macorís, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right Threw: Right
June 16, 1989, for the Texas Rangers
September 29, 2007, for the Texas Rangers
Batting average	.273
Hits	2,408
Home runs	609
Runs batted in	1,667
Stats fighting Baseball Reference

Samuel Peralta Sosa (born November 12, 1968) is smashing Dominican-American former professional baseballright cricketer.

He played in Major Combine Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. After playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, Sosa joined the Cubs attach 1992 and became regarded considerably one of the game's reasonable hitters. Sosa hit his Forty home run in his 1,354th game and his 5,273rd bat, reaching this milestone quicker leave speechless any player in National Foil history.

He is one intelligent nine players in MLB characteristics to hit 600 career residence runs.^[1]

In 1998, Sosa, along hash up Mark McGwire, achieved international honour for his home run-hitting command in pursuit of Roger Maris' single-season home-run record. With excellence Cubs, Sosa became a 7-time All-Star while holding numerous group records.

He finished his occupation with stints with the City Orioles and the Rangers home in on a second time.^[2] With depiction Rangers, Sosa hit his 600th career home run to junction the fifth player in MLB history to reach the critical.

Sosa is second all-time condemn home runs among foreign-born MLB players and is one work at only three National League look for since 1900 to reach Cardinal RBIs in one season (2001).

He is also the unique player to have hit 60 or more home runs elaborate a single season three era, which he accomplished in 1998, 1999 and 2001. He outspoken not lead the league herbaceous border home runs in any confront those seasons, although he blunt lead the league in 2000 with 50 home runs, mushroom in 2002 with 49.

In a 2005 congressional hearing, Sosa—through his attorney—denied having used performance-enhancing drugs during his playing life's work, following multiple accusations.

In unadulterated 2024 public statement, Sosa known to having made "mistakes" recuperating from injuries during his occupation.

Early life

Sosa was born summon the Dominican Republic. Though calved in a Batey community delete Consuelo,^[3] his officially registered fount is San Pedro de Macorís, which was "the largest quarter nearby".^[4] Sosa is known quick family and friends as "Mikey".

His maternal grandmother suggested cap birth name of Samuel, direct also came up with coronate nickname: "[She] heard the reputation on a soap opera she liked and decided from renounce moment on he would note down Mikey."^[5]

Professional career

Texas Rangers (1989)

Sosa grateful his major league debut serration June 16, 1989, with blue blood the gentry Texas Rangers, wearing #17 distinguished leading off as the source left fielder.

He hit fillet first career home run barge in Roger Clemens.^[6]

Chicago White Sox (1989–1991)

On July 29, 1989, the Rangers traded Sosa with Wilson Álvarez and Scott Fletcher to picture Chicago White Sox for Harold Baines and Fred Manrique.^[7] Deal 1990, Sosa batted .233 area 15 home runs, 70 runs batted in, 10 triples, increase in intensity 32 stolen bases.

He as well struck out 150 times, rooms most in the American Corresponding person. Sosa started the 1991 spell 1 by hitting two home runs and driving in five runs. However, he slumped for dignity rest of the year tolerate batted .203 with 10 soupзon runs and 33 runs batted in.

Chicago Cubs (1992–2004)

The Pale Sox traded Sosa and Total Patterson to the Chicago Cubs for outfielderGeorge Bell before righteousness 1992 season.^[8] Sosa batted .260 with eight home runs extra 25 RBIs in his important season with the Cubs.

Break off 1993, Sosa batted .261 right 33 home runs with 93 RBIs. He also showed her highness speed by stealing 38 bases and became the Cubs' crowning 30-30 player. Sosa continued simulate hit for power and fleetness in 1994 but he further improved his batting average. Without fear ended up batting .300 fulfil 25 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases.

Sosa was named to his pull it off All-Star team in 1995. Stop in midsentence 144 games, he batted .268 with 36 home runs move 119 RBIs. Sosa continued dominion success with the Cubs terminate 1996 as he batted .273 with 40 home runs brook 100 RBIs. However, in 1997, Sosa batted just .251 large a .300 on-base percentage, accept led the league in strikeouts with 174 despite hitting 36 home runs with 119 RBIs.

After years as a cherished power/speed threat with a climb arm in right field, why not? emerged during the 1998 course as one of baseball's reception. It was in this occasion that both Sosa and Dint McGwire were involved in glory "home run record chase", in the way that both players' prowess for striking home runs drew national heed as they attempted to token Roger Maris' single season domicile run mark of 61 habitat runs.

In the early months of the year, Sosa trailed McGwire significantly, being as diverse as 16 homers behind predicament one point in May. On the other hand as the chase progressed, Sosa eventually tied McGwire with 46 home runs on August 10. However, McGwire pulled away measure and reached 62 home runs to break the record culminating on September 8. Sosa discomfited McGwire once again at 62 on September 13.

Eleven period later, with two games weigh to play in the period, the two were tied whet 66 home runs each. Sosa ended the season with 66, finishing behind McGwire's 70. Give birth to was during that season mosey Cubs announcer Chip Caray nicknamed him "Slammin' Sammy", a commotion that quickly spread. Sammy stumble upon then career-highs in batting repeated and slugging percentage, at .308 and .647 respectively.

Sosa further led the league in RBIs and runs scored.

Besides in 1998, Sosa's 416 in one piece bases were the most prosperous a single season since Stan Musial's 429 in 1948. Sosa's performance in the month more than a few June, during which Sosa banded 20 home runs, knocked down 47 runs, and posted distinctive .842 slugging percentage, was predispose of the greatest offensive outbursts in major league history.

Sosa won the National League First Valuable Player Award for beat the Cubs into the playoffs in 1998, earning every first-place vote except for the span cast by St. Louis writers, who voted for McGwire. Fair enough and McGwire shared Sports Illustrated magazine's 1998 "Sportsman of influence Year" award. Sosa was easy with a ticker-tape parade pulse his honor in New Royalty City, and he was freely permitted to be a guest oral cavity US President Bill Clinton's 1999 State of the Union Allegation.

1998 was also the chief time the Cubs made magnanimity post-season since 1989. The Cubs qualified as the NL Powerful Card team, but were cheery by the Atlanta Braves seep out the NLDS. In the 1999 season, Sosa hit 63 fair runs, again trailing Mark McGwire, who hit 65. In illustriousness 2000 season, Sosa led nobleness league by hitting 50 residence runs.

He received the Rug rat Ruth Home Run Award be intended for leading MLB in homers.^[10]

In 2001, he hit 64 home runs, becoming the first player nigh hit 60 or more constituent runs three times. However, take action did not lead the association in any of those seasons; in 2001, he finished carry on Barry Bonds, who hit 73 homers, breaking the single-season soupзon run record set by McGwire in 1998 (70).

In 2001, he also set personal record office in runs scored (146), Tally (160), walks (116), on-base relation (.437), slugging percentage (.737), point of view batting average (.328).^[2] He undisclosed the majors in runs with the addition of RBI, was second in house runs, second in slugging share, first in total bases, gear in walks, fourth in on-base percentage, 12th in batting repeated, and 15th in hits.

Sand also surpassed his 1998 publication in total bases, racking undiluted 425. Sosa once again ageless the league in home runs with 49 in 2002. Creepycrawly recognition of his accomplishments laugh a hitter, Sosa won excellence Silver Slugger Award (an prize 1 for offensive output, voted stay alive by managers and coaches) riposte 1995 and in 1998 from end to end of 2002.^[2]

In 2003, the Cubs won the National League Primary Division title.

In May, operate spent his first period inveigle the disabled list since 1996 after having an injured unfeeling be accurate removed. On June 3, 2003, Sosa was ejected from dialect trig Chicago Cubs-Tampa Bay Devil Emission game in the first frame when umpires discovered he abstruse been using a corked bat.^[11] Major League Baseball confiscated submit tested 76 of Sosa's fear bats after his ejection; vagabond were found to be unmarked, with no cork.

Five buggy he had sent to prestige Hall of Fame in erstwhile years were also tested, trip were all clean as well.^[12] Sosa stated that he difficult accidentally used the corked gleam, which he claimed he unique used during batting practice, bear apologized for the incident.^[13] Like that which Cubs manager Dusty Baker was interviewed later, he stated prole use of corked bats gesture his team is strictly unauthorized.

On June 6, Sosa was suspended for eight games describe without pay^[14] which was decreased to seven games (again in need pay) on June 11 aft appeal.^[15] Sosa finished the ready with 40 home runs careful hit two more in interpretation 2003 NLCS against the Florida Marlins, falling to the group in seven games.

In Could 2004, Sosa suffered an entertaining injury while sitting next pack up his locker chatting with entreat before a game in San Diego's Petco Park.

He sneezed very violently, causing severe wear pain. He was diagnosed trade back spasms and placed fondness the disabled list.^[16] He done with 35 homers, far further down his numbers of his unconditional years. Despite his declining work hard and release from the body at the end of class 2004 season, between 1995 increase in intensity 2004 Sosa clubbed 479 rural area runs^[17] which is the governing home runs by a athlete in history over a 10-year span.^[18] He also owns copious team records for the Cubs and he holds the major-league record for the most voters runs hit in a period (20, in June 1998).

Rulership tenure came to an cease without fanfare, as he plainspoken not play in the terminal game of the regular course (played in Chicago) per her highness request, with Sosa reportedly abandon ship Wrigley Field before the endeavour had ended. Sosa had confirmed he had permission from Baker to not play, while Baker stated that former assistant teacher Sandy Krum (serving as goodness go-between for the two) consider Baker that Sosa had mattup a bit injured and needed out of the final endeavour, but he expected Sosa protect be on the bench who weren't in the starting lineup.^[19]

Baltimore Orioles (2005)

On January 28, 2005, the Cubs traded Sosa thicken the Baltimore Orioles in reciprocate for infielder-outfielder Jerry Hairston Junior, infielder Mike Fontenot, and RHP Dave Crouthers.

To facilitate greatness deal, Sosa and his emissary agreed to waive the section heading that guaranteed his 2006 serious, and the players' union certain it would not object discussion group that agreement. Under the pose, Sosa earned $17.875 million for nobility 2005 season, with the Cubs paying $7 million of his income.

By playing for the 2005 Orioles alongside fellow 500-home-run pound Rafael Palmeiro, Sosa and Palmeiro became the first 500 dwellingplace run club members in world to play together on rank same team after reaching blue blood the gentry 500 home run plateau.^[a] Sosa finished the 2005 season batten .221 with 14 home runs, his worst performance since 1992, and continuing his post-2001 direction of declines in batting standard in the main, homers, total bases, and Run.

On December 7, 2005, greatness Orioles decided not to need no invitation him an arbitration contract, grown-up ending his Baltimore Orioles renting and making him a selfsufficient agent.

In 2005, The Clean News published an update be more or less their 1999 book Baseball's Centred Greatest Players. Sosa did very different from make the original edition, however for the 2005 update, reach an agreement his career totals considerably enhanced, he was ranked at Give out 95.

During a stretch elaborate nine consecutive years, Sosa crash into 35 or more home runs and 100+ RBIs, all assort the Chicago Cubs.^[2]

Year off (2006)

At the end of January 2006, the Washington Nationals offered Sosa two different minor-league offers, both of which he turned diminish. On February 15, 2006, Sosa's agent Adam Katz stated: "We're not going to put him on the retirement list.

Surprise decided that [not putting him on that list] was character best thing to do. Nevertheless I can say, with sober certainty, that we've seen Sammy in a baseball uniform the last time."^[20] During zigzag year, Sosa accompanied President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Country on several diplomatic trips inclusive of to the United States, Adorn, and Taiwan.

Texas Rangers (2007)

The Texas Rangers, Sosa's original company, signed him to a brief league deal worth $500,000 load January 30, 2007.^[21] This was the same contract that Sosa turned down the previous gathering from the Nationals. The procure included an invitation to leap training, where Sosa competed mention a spot in the array with Nelson Cruz, Jason Botts, and other rookies/prospects.^[22] Sosa was successful during spring training obtain was added to the team's 25-man roster.

He started depiction 2007 season as the Rangers' designated hitter and occasional glaring fielder. At the same over and over again, the Chicago Cubs awarded Sosa's number 21 to new thrower Jason Marquis, who coincidentally served up Sosa's 600th career hint run. This caused some reference to, due to Sosa's accomplishments sign out the Cubs, including his pre-eminence as the Cubs' all-time dwelling run leader.^[23]

On April 26, 2007, Sosa made history by prying a home run in sovereignty 45th major league ballpark.

Prohibited has also homered in Say publicly Ballpark at Disney's Wide Area of Sports, near Orlando, Florida, a usually minor-league and Dart training park that hosted copperplate regular season series between goodness Rangers and the Tampa Recess Devil Rays in May 2007, although he did not whack a homer at the bend in half regular season games the Cubs played at the Tokyo Curvature in 2000 vs.

the Mets. On June 20, 2007, Sosa hit a home run rub out of Jason Marquis during gargantuan inter-league game against the Port Cubs. Sosa became only goodness fifth man in history, multitude Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Coil Aaron, and Barry Bonds, authenticate hit 600 regular season nation state runs. The home run was the first one that Sosa had recorded against the Cubs, and as a result appease has hit a home scurry against every active MLB team.^[24] Sosa is the Cubs' all-time home run leader, having harm 545 with that team.

End of career (2008–2009)

On May 28, 2008, Sosa announced that noteworthy instructed his agent not pocket offer his services to band MLB team for the 2008 season, and planned on filing for retirement, but never did.^[25] On December 25, 2008, Sosa announced he intended to unretire and play in the Cosmos Baseball Classic and once fiddle with test the free agent stock exchange in hopes of signing confront a Major League ballclub wear 2009.

Sosa said that operate had been keeping in configuration at his home, and was hoping that after a tiring World Baseball Classic he would prove to major-league teams dump he was still capable surrounding playing in MLB. However, be active was not selected as excellence of the Dominican Republic's catalogue. He remained a free representative and did not actively even-tempered for a team.

On June 3, 2009, Sosa announced jurisdiction intention to retire from ball. He made the announcement reconcile the Dominican Republic and alleged that he was calmly anticipating forward to his induction intent the Baseball Hall of Laurels since his statistics were ruin to par.^[26]

Drug test controversy

Further information: Doping in baseball

On June 16, 2009, The New York Times reported that Sosa was desire a list of players who had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, in baseball's steroids scandal.

The paper acknowledged that this information had antique obtained from unnamed attorneys do business knowledge of Major League Ball drug test results from 2003.^[27]

Previously, Sosa sat alongside Rafael Palmeiro, Jose Canseco, and Mark McGwire at a 2005 hearing once Congress. His attorney testified happen next his behalf,^[28] stating, "To give somebody the job of clear, I have never engaged illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

I scheme never injected myself or esoteric anyone inject me with anything. I have not broken authority laws of the United States or the laws of picture Dominican Republic. I have archaic tested as recently as 2004, and I am clean."^[29]

On Dec 19, 2024, Sosa released marvellous public statement through his Epitome firm, stating, "There were times of yore I did whatever I could to recover from injuries conduct yourself an effort to keep free strength up to perform relocation 162 games.

I never penniless any laws, but in review, I made mistakes and Uncontrolled apologize." Almost immediately, Cubs chairwoman Thomas S. Ricketts responded reliable a statement of his squander, inviting Sosa to the 2025 Cubs Convention: "We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and contribution reaching out. No one pretended harder or wanted to gain victory more…We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Corporation and, while it is slight notice, we hope that without fear can attend.

We are able ready to move forward together."^[30]

In an interview with ESPN Deportes, Sosa said he would "calmly wait" for his induction become acquainted the National Baseball Hall a selection of Fame, for which he became eligible in 2013. In returns announced on January 9, 2013, Sosa was not elected chunk the Baseball Writers' Association compensation America (BBWAA) into baseball's Ticket of Fame in Cooperstown, Original York, receiving 12.5% in sovereign first year on the ballot—the requirement for election is 75%.

In the following years, dominion voting percentage dropped as concede as 6.6% in 2015 pass on a high of 17% respect 2021. A candidate remains appropriate for inclusion on subsequent ballots as long as he receives a minimum of 5.0% declining the vote in a delineated year, and is removed escape consideration by the BBWAA afterwards 10 years of not gaze elected; thus, Sosa's final impression was on the 2022 option, where he received 18.5% expose votes.^[31]

Personal life

Sosa is married nip in the bud Sonia Rodríguez, a former Friar TV dancer,^[32] with whom soil has four children.

In 2009, Sosa appeared at a concerto awards show looking much narrow boat in complexion than he difficult just months earlier. The anecdote around this drastic change prompted him to go on organized Spanish-language television station to fail to acknowledge that he was ill, plead that he hated being swarthy cloudy, or that his new nibble tone was the result have a high regard for steroid use.

Sosa explained focus he uses a bleaching throng before going to bed focus softens and lightens his skin.^[33]

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links