Sammy Sosa facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Peralta and the second or maternal family name is Sosa.

Quick facts for kids

Sammy Sosa

Sosa in 2012

Right fielder

Born: November 12, 1968 (age 57)
San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

debut

June 16, 1989, for the Texas Rangers

Last appearance

September 29, 2007, for the Texas Rangers

MLB statistics

Batting average

.273

Hits

2,408

Home runs

609

Runs batted in

1,667

Teams

Texas Rangers (1989)
Chicago White Sox (1989–19by)
Chicago Cubs (1992–2004)
Baltimore Orioles (2005)
Texas Rangers (2007)

Career highlights and awards

7× All-Star (1995, 1998–2002, 2004)
NL MVP (1998)
6× Silver Slugger Award (1995, 1998–2002)
NL Hank Aaron Award (1999)
Roberto Clemente Award (1998)
2× NL home run leader (2000, 2002)
2× NL RBI leader (1998, 2001)
Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award
Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame

Samuel "Sammy" Sosa, born on November 12, 1968, is a famous former professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He was an amazing right fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Chicago Cubs, where he became known as one of baseball's top hitters.

Sammy Sosa was incredibly fast at hitting home runs. He reached his 400th home run faster than any other player in the National League! He is also one of only nine players in MLB history to hit an incredible 600 career home runs.

In 1998, Sammy Sosa became super famous alongside Mark McGwire during an exciting race to break the single-season home run record. Fans loved watching them hit so many homers! During his time with the Cubs, Sosa was chosen for the All-Star team seven times and set many team records. He was nicknamed "Slammin' Sammy" because of his powerful hitting.

Sammy Sosa is special because he hit 60 or more home runs in a single season three times (in 1998, 1999, and 2001). He also hit his 600th career home run while playing for the Texas Rangers again, making him only the fifth player ever to reach that milestone. Later in his career, Sammy Sosa faced questions about how he recovered from injuries. In 2024, he shared that he had made "mistakes" during his recovery.

Sammy Sosa: A Baseball Star
See also

Sammy Sosa: A Baseball Star

Early Life in the Dominican Republic

Sammy Sosa was born in the Dominican Republic. He grew up in a small community called a Batey in Consuelo, which is a town for sugar workers. However, his official birthplace is San Pedro de Macorís, a larger town nearby.

His family and friends often called him "Mikey." Sammy's grandmother chose his birth name, Samuel. She also gave him the nickname "Mikey" after hearing it on a TV show she enjoyed!

Starting His Baseball Journey

Before playing in the big leagues, Sammy Sosa played for minor league teams like the Tulsa Drillers and Oklahoma City Comets. This is where many players start to develop their skills.

Early Teams: Rangers and White Sox

Sammy Sosa made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on June 16, 1989. He played for the Texas Rangers as a starting left fielder. It was exciting because he hit his very first career home run against a famous pitcher, Roger Clemens.

Later in 1989, Sammy was traded to the Chicago White Sox. In 1990, he showed his talent by hitting 15 home runs and stealing 32 bases. He also helped his team by bringing in 70 runs.

Becoming a Chicago Cubs Legend

Before the 1992 season, Sammy Sosa joined the Chicago Cubs. This is where he truly became a baseball superstar! In his first year with the Cubs, he hit 8 home runs.

By 1993, Sammy was hitting 33 home runs and stealing 38 bases. This made him the Cubs' first "30-30 player," meaning he hit 30+ home runs and stole 30+ bases in one season. He kept getting better, and in 1995, he was chosen for his first All-Star team. He hit 36 home runs and brought in 119 runs for his team that year. In 1996, he hit 40 home runs and 100 RBIs.

The Great Home Run Chase of 1998

The 1998 season was one of Sammy Sosa's most famous years. He and Mark McGwire were in an exciting race to break the record for the most home runs in a single season. Everyone was watching as they both hit an incredible number of homers! Sammy ended the season with 66 home runs, just behind McGwire's 70.

Sosa wore #21 with the Cubs in honor of his childhood idol Roberto Clemente.

During this amazing season, Sammy was nicknamed "Slammin' Sammy" by a Cubs announcer. He also had a fantastic month in June, hitting 20 home runs and bringing in 47 runs. For his incredible performance, Sammy won the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He helped the Cubs reach the playoffs for the first time in years. Sammy and Mark McGwire even shared the "Sportsman of the Year" award from Sports Illustrated.

More Amazing Seasons with the Cubs

Sosa as a member of the Chicago Cubs

Sammy continued his powerful hitting in 1999, hitting 63 home runs. In 2000, he led the league with 50 home runs. Then, in 2001, he hit 64 home runs, becoming the first player ever to hit 60 or more home runs three times! That year, he also set personal bests in runs scored, RBIs, and batting average. He won the Silver Slugger Award multiple times for his excellent hitting.

A Batting Incident and Final Cubs Season

Sosa in 2004

In 2003, Sammy Sosa faced an issue during a game. Umpires found that he had used a bat that was not allowed, sometimes called a "corked bat." Sammy explained that he had accidentally used a bat he only used for practice and apologized. Major League Baseball tested his other bats, and they were all fine. He was suspended for seven games. Despite this, he still hit 40 home runs that season and helped the Cubs win their division.

Sammy's time with the Cubs ended after the 2004 season. He had hit 479 home runs between 1995 and 2004, which is more than any other player in a 10-year period. He also holds the record for the most home runs hit in a single month, with 20 in June 1998.

Playing for the Orioles and Rangers Again

Sosa in spring training with the Orioles in 2005

In 2005, Sammy Sosa was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. He played alongside Rafael Palmeiro, another player who had hit over 500 home runs. They were the first two players from the 500 home run club to play on the same team! Sammy hit 14 home runs for the Orioles that season.

Sosa with the Orioles in 2005

Sammy did not play baseball in 2006. He even traveled with the President of the Dominican Republic on several important trips.

Sosa played his final MLB season with the Rangers in 2007 before retiring two years later.

In 2007, Sammy Sosa returned to his first team, the Texas Rangers. He had a great spring training and earned a spot on the team.

On June 20, 2007, Sammy made history by hitting his 600th career home run! He became only the fifth player ever to reach this amazing milestone, joining legends like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. This home run was special because it was against his former team, the Chicago Cubs. It meant he had hit a home run against every active MLB team! Sammy is still the Cubs' all-time leader in home runs.

Retirement and Hall of Fame Discussions

On May 28, 2008, Sammy Sosa announced that he would not play in the 2008 season. He officially retired from baseball on June 3, 2009.

Hall of Fame Consideration

Sosa's plaque in the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame at Wrigley Field

After his career, Sammy Sosa became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. However, he was not elected by the baseball writers. Over the years, he received some votes, but not enough to reach the 75% needed for election. His final chance on the main ballot was in 2022.

Sammy could still be chosen for the Hall of Fame by a special committee in the future. However, questions about his playing era have made this seem unlikely so far.

Beyond Baseball: Personal Life

Sammy Sosa married Sonia Rodríguez in 1991, and they have four children together.

In 2009, Sammy appeared in public with a lighter skin tone. He explained on a Spanish-language TV show that he uses a special cream before bed that softens and lightens his skin. He stated that he was not ill and that he was happy with his appearance.

Religion

Sammy Sosa is Catholic.