Sammy Sosa, a former star baseball player known for hitting over 600 home runs, recently addressed his past involvement with performance-enhancing drugs. The Chicago Cubs, the team with which he became most famous, expressed their willingness to welcome him back into the fold.

In a statement released on Thursday, Sosa admitted to making mistakes during his career. "There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games," he said. Although he noted that he never broke any laws, he acknowledged that his choices were not always right and expressed his remorse.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts responded positively to Sosa’s statement, indicating that the team is eager to move forward together. Ricketts announced plans to invite Sosa to the annual fan convention scheduled for January 17-19 in Chicago. “No one played harder or wanted to win more. Nobody’s perfect, but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs,” Ricketts stated.

Sosa, who holds the franchise record for home runs with 545, had a tumultuous end to his time with the Cubs. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles after showing up late to the last game of the 2004 season and leaving early. Alongside other notable players like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, Sosa has faced challenges in gaining induction into the Hall of Fame, receiving only 18.5% of the necessary votes during his final year of eligibility in 2022.

At 56, Sosa boasts an impressive career, including seven All-Star selections and an MVP award in 1998. Over 18 seasons in the major leagues, he recorded a batting average of .273, with 609 home runs, 1,667 RBIs, and 234 stolen bases.

Reflecting on his past, Sosa expressed hope for reconciliation with Cubs fans and emphasized his enduring connection to the team. "In my heart, I have always been a Cub, and I can’t wait to see Cubs fans again," he stated, signaling a desire for a bright future ahead.