The chants emanating from the lower level of Club 400 sounded eerily familiar for longtime Chicago Cubs fans.
“Sammy! Sammy! Sammy!”
Former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa made a rare appearance in the Chicago area last weekend, visiting hospitals, greeting fans on the street and signing autographs for some of his most ardent fans from a quarter of a century ago. The father of a patient at Lurie Hospital later had that signature tattooed on his arm for posterity.
“Sammy is our greatest guest ever. Best, hands down, No. 1,” said Stewart McVicar, founder and president of Club 400. He hosted fans in Lake of the Hills, Illinois, for the charity party celebration. The organization was founded in 2013 as a 501c non-profit and raises money to help those in need.
While denied admittance to the Baseball Hall of Fame because of his alleged steroid use, Sosa remains beloved by a large segment of the Cubs fanbase.
“This weekend has been incredible,” said Sosa, 55, who lives in Miami and also maintains a residence in the Dominican Republic. “This is the second time I’ve come to Chicago after 19 years. I feel great. I mean, the people still respond to me, which has made me very happy.”
The only player in major league history to hit at least 60 home runs in three years, Sosa perhaps is best remembered for his 1998 season when he and the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire chased Roger Maris’ record of 61 home runs. Sosa wound up with 66 and McGwire 70. That season has been regarded as a rebound year for the overall popularity of the sport.
When subsequent substance abuse tests and allegations surfaced regarding McGwire and Sosa, many fans felt disenchanted and duped.
“I’m a more… right now I’m a more mature guy,” Sosa told me last weekend. “I’m not a young kid like I was when I was playing. I believe that what I did in the field made a lot of people happy, they’re proud.”
Recipients of Sosa’s good will over the weekend certainly were proud of him. Accompanied by jubilant Chicago publicist Betsy Shepherd, Sosa made the rounds of first responders as well as cancer patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital. He also signed a ball and bat for police officer Carlos Yanez Jr., who was critically injured in an Aug. 2021 shooting that killed his partner, Ella French. And Sosa donated $10,000 to two Chicago first responders charities.
“I see the response. The people really love me and they’ll never forget what I’ve done in this city,” Sosa said.
“I’ve seen all the pictures of the hospital, putting smiles on people’s faces. I love it. I mean, yesterday we went to the fire department and also, you know, with the policemen also.”
Sosa hit 609 homers during his 18-year major league career while batting .273. and driving in 1,667 runs. A 7-time All-Star, Sosa spent most of his career with the Cubs, but also played briefly with the Rangers, White Sox and Orioles.
“A lot of years have passed, you know, we’re not young anymore,” Sosa said with a laugh. “But that’s why I’m so happy coming back here to see the response. And now they receive me with love pretty much. You know, I consider myself a nice person. And the response is incredible to me. Everywhere that I go, people go crazy.”
Sosa and his wife of 34 years, Sonia, have six children. “I have been blessed,” he said.
Sammy Sosa and former Chicago Tribune sportswriter Fred Mitchell.
Fred Mitchell interviews Sammy Sosa during last weekend’s Club 400 fundraiser.
Sammy Sosa poses with Fred Mitchell and his wife, Kim Mitchell.
Former Cubs pitcher and general manager Ed Lynch was a guest at the Club 400 event.
The father of a patient at Lurie Hospital had Sammy Sosa’s autograph tattooed on his forearm.