Sammy Sosa and Derrek Lee to be inducted into Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame this summer

Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune on Jan 17, 2025

Published in Baseball

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CHICAGO — The “Sammy! Sammy!” chants started as soon as Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts teased the slugger’s return on the main stage Friday night at the Cubs Convention.

Sammy Sosa’s journey back to the organization that began with his apology last month for “mistakes” during his career saw him honored in front of hyped Cubs fans. Ricketts announced Sosa and first baseman Derrek Lee will be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame this summer.

Sosa, 56, won the National League MVP during his historic home run chase in 1998, the 10th player in franchise history to win the award. Sosa, a seven-time All-Star, finished with 545 home runs in a Cubs uniform.

“It’s overwhelming to receive this news,” Sosa said in a statement. “I feel I owe so much to the Ricketts family and the Cubs organization, but also to the fans. It’s so fun to be back here in Chicago and see the fans who have meant so much to me over the years. I’m honored to be in the Cubs Hall of Fame, and I look forward to returning this summer for the ceremony.”

Dansby Swanson, who watched the Cubs on WGN with his grandpa while growing up in Georgia, is looking forward to having a chance to talk hitting with Sosa now that he’s back with the organization. Swanson said it will be “pretty awesome” for Cubs hitters to be able to pick his brain.

“Everybody around that era and watching guys of the era would mimic the Sammy hop,” Swanson said Friday. “It was pretty remarkable what he was able to do. You don’t have that kind of career and post the way he did and hit the homers and produce the way he did without being such a great player and having a great mind for the game.”

Lee, 49, starred for the Cubs from 2004-10 as an offensive force and two-time Gold Glove winner. Lee, who won a batting title in 2005, posted a .298/.378/.524 slash line with 179 home runs, 239 doubles and a 129 OPS+ in his Cubs career.

“My seven years with the Cubs meant so much to my family and me, both as a person and a player,” Lee said in a statement. “To be included with so many greats in the Cubs Hall of Fame is humbling, something I never dreamed of.

“Cubs fans are the best in baseball. You guys unconditionally cheered us on and supported us through the tough times. I will forever be grateful to the Cubs fans as well as the entire Cubs organization and the Ricketts family for this honor. … Wrigley Field is such a special place, and I cannot wait to return this summer.”