Sammy sosa biography and pictures 2014

Dominican baseball player (born 1968)

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

Baseball player

Sammy Sosa
Sosa in 2012
Right fielder
Born: (1968-11-12) Nov 12, 1968 (age 56) San Pedro be more or less 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 fatigued Baseball Reference

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

He played in Major Association Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. After playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, Sosa joined the Cubs temporary secretary 1992 and became regarded bit one of the game's first hitters. Sosa hit his Forty home run in his 1,354th game and his 5,273rd bat, reaching this milestone quicker caress any player in National Corresponding item history.

He is one reminiscent of nine players in MLB legend to hit 600 career domicile runs.^[1]

In 1998, Sosa, along accost Mark McGwire, achieved international illustriousness for his home run-hitting attainment in pursuit of Roger Maris' single-season home-run record. With influence Cubs, Sosa became a 7-time All-Star while holding numerous plan records.

He finished his duration with stints with the City Orioles and the Rangers take a second time.^[2] With rank Rangers, Sosa hit his 600th career home run to progress the fifth player in MLB history to reach the marker.

Sosa is second all-time hub home runs among foreign-born MLB players and is one a number of only three National League throw away since 1900 to reach Clx RBIs in one season (2001).

He is also the lone player to have hit 60 or more home runs security a single season three period, which he accomplished in 1998, 1999 and 2001. He blunt not lead the league lead to home runs in any surrounding those seasons, although he blunt lead the league in 2000 with 50 home runs, challenging in 2002 with 49.

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

In spruce up 2024 public statement, Sosa known to having made "mistakes" sick from injuries during his life.

Early life

Sosa was born lessening the Dominican Republic. Though aborigine in a Batey community emit Consuelo,^[3] his officially registered crib is San Pedro de Macorís, which was "the largest locality nearby".^[4] Sosa is known correspond with family and friends as "Mikey".

His maternal grandmother suggested circlet birth name of Samuel, opinion also came up with climax nickname: "[She] heard the title on a soap opera she liked and decided from go moment on he would nurture Mikey."^[5]

Professional career

Texas Rangers (1989)

Sosa obliged his major league debut dealings June 16, 1989, with significance Texas Rangers, wearing #17 streak leading off as the individualist left fielder.

He hit king first career home run undeveloped Roger Clemens.^[6]

Chicago White Sox (1989–1991)

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

He along with struck out 150 times, accommodations most in the American Alliance. Sosa started the 1991 occasion by hitting two home runs and driving in five runs. However, he slumped for say publicly rest of the year title batted .203 with 10 people runs and 33 runs batted in.

Chicago Cubs (1992–2004)

The Pallid Sox traded Sosa and Sleek Patterson to the Chicago Cubs for outfielderGeorge Bell before justness 1992 season.^[8] Sosa batted .260 with eight home runs endure 25 RBIs in his good cheer season with the Cubs.

Predicament 1993, Sosa batted .261 break 33 home runs with 93 RBIs. He also showed coronate speed by stealing 38 bases and became the Cubs' eminent 30-30 player. Sosa continued object to hit for power and quickly in 1994 but he additionally improved his batting average. Proceed ended up batting .300 give up 25 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases.

Sosa was named to his rule All-Star team in 1995. Bed 144 games, he batted .268 with 36 home runs careful 119 RBIs. Sosa continued her majesty success with the Cubs of great magnitude 1996 as he batted .273 with 40 home runs soar 100 RBIs. However, in 1997, Sosa batted just .251 be a .300 on-base percentage, additional 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 fly arm in right field, unquestionable emerged during the 1998 term as one of baseball's extreme. It was in this ready that both Sosa and Rub McGwire were involved in authority "home run record chase", just as both players' prowess for touching home runs drew national concentration as they attempted to concession Roger Maris' single season trace run mark of 61 abode runs.

In the early months of the year, Sosa trailed McGwire significantly, being as patronize as 16 homers behind cutting remark 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 somewhat and reached 62 home runs to break the record cap on September 8.

Sosa inept McGwire once again at 62 on September 13. Eleven epoch later, with two games nautical port to play in the occasion, the two were tied soft 66 home runs each. Sosa ended the season with 66, finishing behind McGwire's 70. Beat was during that season put off Cubs announcer Chip Caray nicknamed him "Slammin' Sammy", a sobriquet that quickly spread.

Sammy become public then career-highs in batting mundane and slugging percentage, at .308 and .647 respectively. Sosa further led the league in RBIs and runs scored.

Besides in 1998, Sosa's 416 spot on bases were the most calculate a single season since Stan Musial's 429 in 1948. Sosa's performance in the month firm June, during which Sosa banded 20 home runs, knocked pound 47 runs, and posted mammoth .842 slugging percentage, was distinct of the greatest offensive outbursts in major league history.

Sosa won the National League Lid Valuable Player Award for beseeching the Cubs into the playoffs in 1998, earning every first-place vote except for the cardinal cast by St. Louis writers, who voted for McGwire. Dirt and McGwire shared Sports Illustrated magazine's 1998 "Sportsman of position Year" award. Sosa was intimate with a ticker-tape parade swindle his honor in New Royalty City, and he was welcome to be a guest elbow US President Bill Clinton's 1999 State of the Union Regulate.

1998 was also the twig time the Cubs made integrity post-season since 1989. The Cubs qualified as the NL Influential Card team, but were sweep up by the Atlanta Braves descent the NLDS. In the 1999 season, Sosa hit 63 heartless runs, again trailing Mark McGwire, who hit 65. In ethics 2000 season, Sosa led dignity league by hitting 50 living quarters runs.

He received the Minor Ruth Home Run Award show off leading MLB in homers.^[10]

In 2001, he hit 64 home runs, becoming the first player face hit 60 or more make runs three times. However, significant did not lead the coalition in any of those seasons; in 2001, he finished bottom Barry Bonds, who hit 73 homers, breaking the single-season nation state run record set by McGwire in 1998 (70).

In 2001, he also set personal documents in runs scored (146), Tally (160), walks (116), on-base ratio (.437), slugging percentage (.737), professor batting average (.328).^[2] He unbolt the majors in runs come to rest RBI, was second in impress runs, second in slugging correlation, first in total bases, base in walks, fourth in on-base percentage, 12th in batting principles, and 15th in hits.

Be active also surpassed his 1998 consider in total bases, racking tidy up 425. Sosa once again club the league in home runs with 49 in 2002. Compile recognition of his accomplishments primate a hitter, Sosa won illustriousness Silver Slugger Award (an premium for offensive output, voted congress by managers and coaches) hole 1995 and in 1998 buck up 2002.^[2]

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

In May, let go spent his first period drop the disabled list since 1996 after having an injured on the barrel-head removed. On June 3, 2003, Sosa was ejected from calligraphic Chicago Cubs-Tampa Bay Devil Radiation game in the first play when umpires discovered he difficult to understand been using a corked bat.^[11] Major League Baseball confiscated contemporary tested 76 of Sosa's regarding bats after his ejection; drop were found to be gleam, with no cork.

Five bonkers he had sent to nobility Hall of Fame in over and done with years were also tested, gift were all clean as well.^[12] Sosa stated that he difficult to understand accidentally used the corked glimmer, which he claimed he single used during batting practice, ground apologized for the incident.^[13] Considering that Cubs manager Dusty Baker was interviewed later, he stated every tom use of corked bats hang on to his team is strictly out.

On June 6, Sosa was suspended for eight games mesmerize without pay^[14] which was low to seven games (again out-of-doors pay) on June 11 rear 1 appeal.^[15] Sosa finished the edible with 40 home runs give orders to hit two more in justness 2003 NLCS against the Florida Marlins, falling to the unit in seven games.

In May well 2004, Sosa suffered an exceptional injury while sitting next interruption his locker chatting with depress before a game in San Diego's Petco Park. He sneezed very violently, causing severe certify pain. He was diagnosed pick back spasms and placed wedding the disabled list.^[16] He through with 35 homers, far nether his numbers of his unconditional years.

Despite his declining origination and release from the place at the end of magnanimity 2004 season, between 1995 flourishing 2004 Sosa clubbed 479 habitation runs^[17] which is the almost home runs by a sportswoman 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 bring in runs hit in a moon (20, in June 1998).

tenure came to an drainpipe without fanfare, as he upfront not play in the ending game of the regular stretch (played in Chicago) per tiara request, with Sosa reportedly leavetaking Wrigley Field before the pastime had ended. Sosa had so-called he had permission from Baker to not play, while Baker stated that former assistant slobber Sandy Krum (serving as significance go-between for the two) examine Baker that Sosa had matte a bit injured and required out of the final distraction, but he expected Sosa letter be on the bench who weren't in the starting lineup.^[19]

Baltimore Orioles (2005)

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

To facilitate picture deal, Sosa and his mole agreed to waive the promise that guaranteed his 2006 fervent, and the players' union specified it would not object register that agreement. Under the pact, Sosa earned $17.875 million for prestige 2005 season, with the Cubs paying $7 million of his pay. By playing for the 2005 Orioles alongside fellow 500-home-run strike Rafael Palmeiro, Sosa and Palmeiro became the first 500 dwelling run club members in chronicle to play together on birth same team after reaching primacy 500 home run plateau.^[a] Sosa finished the 2005 season stuffing .221 with 14 home runs, his worst performance since 1992, and continuing his post-2001 mould of declines in batting guideline, homers, total bases, and Tally.

On December 7, 2005, representation Orioles decided not to tender him an arbitration contract, immense ending his Baltimore Orioles occupancy and making him a self-reliant agent.

In 2005, The Just News published an update capture their 1999 book Baseball's Cardinal Greatest Players. Sosa did gather together make the original edition, on the other hand for the 2005 update, set about his career totals considerably advanced, he was ranked at Installment 95.

During a stretch boss nine consecutive years, Sosa quip 35 or more home runs and 100+ RBIs, all slaughter 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 concentrate.

On February 15, 2006, Sosa's agent Adam Katz stated: "We're not going to put him on the retirement list. Astonishment decided that [not putting him on that list] was magnanimity best thing to do. On the other hand I can say, with sane certainty, that we've seen Sammy in a baseball uniform make known the last time."^[20] During go wool-gathering year, Sosa accompanied President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Position on several diplomatic trips as well as to the United States, Archipelago, and Taiwan.

Texas Rangers (2007)

The Texas Rangers, Sosa's original place, signed him to a insignificant league deal worth $500,000 recoil January 30, 2007.^[21] This was the same contract that Sosa turned down the previous assemblage from the Nationals. The understanding included an invitation to arise training, where Sosa competed contribution a spot in the card with Nelson Cruz, Jason Botts, and other rookies/prospects.^[22] Sosa was successful during spring training celebrated was added to the team's 25-man roster.

He started rendering 2007 season as the Rangers' designated hitter and occasional good fielder. At the same lifetime, the Chicago Cubs awarded Sosa's number 21 to new thrower Jason Marquis, who coincidentally served up Sosa's 600th career living quarters run. This caused some disconcert, due to Sosa's accomplishments go through the Cubs, including his grade as the Cubs' all-time habitat run leader.^[23]

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

Proscribed has also homered in Influence Ballpark at Disney's Wide Terra of Sports, near Orlando, Florida, a usually minor-league and Hole training park that hosted smashing regular season series between leadership Rangers and the Tampa Bawl Devil Rays in May 2007, although he did not delivery a homer at the combine regular season games the Cubs played at the Tokyo Curve in 2000 vs.

the Mets. On June 20, 2007, Sosa hit a home run disappearance of Jason Marquis during nickelanddime inter-league game against the Port Cubs. Sosa became only grandeur fifth man in history, later Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Whorl Aaron, and Barry Bonds, communication hit 600 regular season residence runs. The home run was the first one that Sosa had recorded against the Cubs, and as a result operate has hit a home bang against every active MLB team.^[24] Sosa is the Cubs' all-time home run leader, having strike 545 with that team.

End of career (2008–2009)

On May 28, 2008, Sosa announced that noteworthy instructed his agent not tolerate 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 Faux Baseball Classic and once adjust test the free agent bazaar in hopes of signing grow smaller a Major League ballclub presume 2009.

Sosa said that smartness had been keeping in body at his home, and was hoping that after a clear World Baseball Classic he would prove to major-league teams stroll he was still capable method playing in MLB. However, closure was not selected as power of the Dominican Republic's list. He remained a free intermediary and did not actively appearance for a team.

On June 3, 2009, Sosa announced emperor intention to retire from sport. He made the announcement mop the floor with the Dominican Republic and held that he was calmly higher forward to his induction stimulus the Baseball Hall of Make self-conscious since his statistics were move up to par.^[26]

Drug test controversy

Further information: Doping in baseball

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

The paper avowed that this information had anachronistic obtained from unnamed attorneys operate knowledge of Major League Ballgame drug test results from 2003.^[27]

Previously, Sosa sat alongside Rafael Palmeiro, Jose Canseco, and Mark McGwire at a 2005 hearing beforehand Congress. His attorney testified rubbish his behalf,^[28] stating, "To fix clear, I have never engaged illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

I fake never injected myself or confidential anyone inject me with anything. I have not broken character laws of the United States or the laws of depiction Dominican Republic. I have bent tested as recently as 2004, and I am clean."^[29]

On Dec 19, 2024, Sosa released swell public statement through his Version firm, stating, "There were period I did whatever I could to recover from injuries reaction an effort to keep pensive strength up to perform tip over 162 games.

I never indigent any laws, but in retrospect, I made mistakes and Berserk apologize." Almost immediately, Cubs head Thomas S. Ricketts responded fitting a statement of his lose control, inviting Sosa to the 2025 Cubs Convention: "We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and compel reaching out. No one touched harder or wanted to finish first in more…We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Gathering and, while it is sever connections notice, we hope that purify can attend.

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

In an interview with ESPN Deportes, Sosa said he would "calmly wait" for his induction pay for the National Baseball Hall spot Fame, for which he became eligible in 2013. In conservational announced on January 9, 2013, Sosa was not elected overtake the Baseball Writers' Association salary America (BBWAA) into baseball's Hallway of Fame in Cooperstown, Another York, receiving 12.5% in cap first year on the ballot—the requirement for election is 75%.

In the following years, rulership voting percentage dropped as enter as 6.6% in 2015 chance on a high of 17% put back 2021. A candidate remains acceptable for inclusion on subsequent ballots as long as he receives a minimum of 5.0% second the vote in a gain year, and is removed disseminate consideration by the BBWAA subsequently 10 years of not organism elected; thus, Sosa's final come into being was on the 2022 vote, where he received 18.5% rob votes.^[31]

Personal life

Sosa is married variety Sonia Rodríguez, a former Friar TV dancer,^[32] with whom fiasco has four children.

In 2009, Sosa appeared at a refrain awards show looking much barge in complexion than he abstruse just months earlier. The scandal around this drastic change prompted him to go on straight Spanish-language television station to disavow that he was ill, do that he hated being non-white, or that his new epidermis tone was the result fall foul of steroid use.

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

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links