Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa, born in 1968, professional baseball player, one of the most prolific home run hitters in major league history. In 2001 Sosa became the first big-league player to hit more than 60 home runs in three different seasons (1998, 1999, and 2001).

Samuel Peralta Sosa was born in San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic. As a youngster Sosa shined shoes and did other odd jobs to help support his family. He decided on a career in baseball at a young age and in 1986 entered the minor league system of the Texas Rangers, playing with Sarasota of the Gulf Coast League. Three years later, in 1989, he made his debut in the major leagues with the Rangers.

The Rangers traded Sosa to the Chicago White Sox during the 1989 season, and Sosa played his first full major league season with the White Sox in 1990. That year he was the only American League (AL) player to have 10 or more steals, doubles, triples, and home runs. He struggled the following year, however, and was sent to the White Sox’s minor league team in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a brief period. In March 1992 the White Sox traded Sosa to the Chicago Cubs of the National League (NL).

During his first season with the Cubs, Sosa was injured twice and spent nearly three months on the disabled list. His performance steadily improved beginning in 1993, and by 1995 he had recorded two seasons with at least 30 home runs and 30 steals. Sosa led the Cubs with 36 home runs in 1995, and he boosted his total to 40 the following season despite missing 38 games due to injury. In 1997 he hit 36 home runs and drove in 119 runs.

During the 1998 season Sosa set a major league record by hitting 20 home runs in June—the most ever hit in a single month. The hot streak jump-started one of the great dramas in baseball history, a duel between Sosa and Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals, as both chased the 37-year-old single-season home run record (61) set by Roger Maris of the New York Yankees. McGwire won the record-busting battle, finishing the season with 70 homers to Sosa’s 66, but Sosa’s fun-loving attitude during the chase earned him many new fans. His hitting, which included 158 runs batted in (RBIs), lifted the Cubs into the NL playoffs, and for his accomplishments Sosa won the NL most valuable player (MVP) award.

In 1999 Sosa had another huge year, hitting 63 home runs with 141 RBIs. His performance earned him the Hank Aaron Award, a new honor given to the best overall hitter in each league. Sosa hit 50 home runs in 2000 to lead the major leagues, and the following year he slugged 64 homers to go with 160 RBIs. His 292 home runs over five seasons (1998-2002) set a major league record. In early 2003 Sosa became the 18th major league player to clout at least 500 career home runs.

Sosa’s playful manner and prolific power hitting made him a Chicago sports icon. But after helping lead the Cubs to the National League Championship Series in 2003, Sosa slumped the following season and Chicago failed to make the playoffs. In early 2005 the Cubs traded Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles. In 2007, playing for the Texas Rangers, Sosa recorded the 600th home run of his career.