Sammy Sosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sammy Sosa |
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Sosa in 2012
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| Right fielder | |||
| Born: November 12, 1968 San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic |
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| 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 | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Samuel Peralta Sosa (born November 12, 1968) is a former professional baseball player. He was a right fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons. Sammy Sosa is best known for his time with the Chicago Cubs.
Sosa became famous for hitting many home runs. He was part of the exciting "home run record chase" in 1998. He is one of only nine players in MLB history to hit 600 career home runs. Sosa also holds many team records for the Cubs. He was a 7-time All-Star during his career.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Sammy Sosa was born in the Dominican Republic. His official birthplace is San Pedro de Macorís. However, he was born in a smaller community called a Batey in Consuelo. His family and friends call him "Mikey." His grandmother gave him this nickname after hearing it on a TV show.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Before playing in the major leagues, Sosa played for minor league teams. These teams included the Tulsa Drillers and Oklahoma City Comets.
First MLB Team: Texas Rangers
Sosa made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on June 16, 1989. He played for the Texas Rangers. He wore jersey number 17 and played as the starting left fielder. Sosa hit his first career home run against famous pitcher Roger Clemens.
Playing for the Chicago White Sox
On July 29, 1989, the Rangers traded Sosa to the Chicago White Sox. He played for the White Sox until 1991. In 1990, Sosa hit 15 home runs and had 70 runs batted in (RBIs). He also stole 32 bases, showing his speed.
Chicago Cubs: A Star is Born
The White Sox traded Sosa to the Chicago Cubs before the 1992 season. This move changed his career.
Early Years with the Cubs
In his first season with the Cubs, Sosa hit 8 home runs and had 25 RBIs. By 1993, he hit 33 home runs and 93 RBIs. He also stole 38 bases, becoming the Cubs' first "30-30 player" (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases). Sosa continued to improve, hitting for power and speed. In 1995, he was chosen for his first All-Star team. He hit 36 home runs and had 119 RBIs that year.
The Great Home Run Chase of 1998
In 1998, Sammy Sosa became one of baseball's biggest stars. He and Mark McGwire were in an exciting race to break the single-season home run record. This record was 61 home runs, set by Roger Maris. Sosa was nicknamed "Slammin' Sammy" by Cubs announcer Chip Caray.
Sosa and McGwire went back and forth, hitting home runs all season. Sosa ended the season with 66 home runs. McGwire finished with 70. Sosa's performance in June 1998 was amazing. He hit 20 home runs and had 47 RBIs in that single month.
Sosa won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1998. He helped the Cubs reach the playoffs for the first time since 1989. Sosa and McGwire were even named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated magazine.
Continued Success and Records
In 1999, Sosa hit 63 home runs. In 2000, he led the league with 50 home runs. He received the Babe Ruth Home Run Award.
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In 2001, Sosa hit 64 home runs. He became the first player to hit 60 or more home runs three times. That year, he also had personal bests in runs scored (146) and RBI (160). He led the major leagues in runs and RBIs. Sosa won the Silver Slugger Award multiple times for his excellent hitting.
Bat Incident and Final Cubs Season
In 2003, Sosa was ejected from a game for using a corked bat. He said he used it by accident for batting practice. Major League Baseball tested his other bats, and they were all normal. Sosa was suspended for seven games. He still finished the season with 40 home runs.
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Sosa's time with the Cubs ended after the 2004 season. Between 1995 and 2004, he hit 479 home runs. This is the most home runs by any player over a 10-year period. He also holds the major-league record for most home runs in a month (20 in June 1998).
Later Career and Retirement
Baltimore Orioles
On January 28, 2005, the Cubs traded Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles. He played one season with the Orioles. Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro became the first two members of the 500 home run club to play on the same team. Sosa finished the 2005 season with 14 home runs.
After the 2005 season, the Orioles did not offer him a new contract. He became a free agent.
Year Off and Return to Rangers
Sosa did not play in 2006. He traveled with the President of the Dominican Republic on diplomatic trips.
In 2007, Sosa signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. This was his original team. He earned a spot on the team's main roster.
On June 20, 2007, Sosa hit his 600th career home run. He became only the fifth player in history to reach this milestone. The others were Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. This home run was against the Chicago Cubs, his former team. This meant he had hit a home run against every active MLB team.
End of Playing Career
Sosa announced his intention to retire from baseball on June 3, 2009. He made the announcement in the Dominican Republic.
Baseball Hall of Fame Consideration
Sammy Sosa became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. Players are voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). To be elected, a player needs 75% of the votes.
In his first year, Sosa received 12.5% of the votes. His voting percentage changed over the years, reaching 18.5% in 2022. A player can be on the ballot for 10 years if they receive at least 5% of the votes. Sosa's final appearance on the ballot was in 2022. He was not elected by the BBWAA.
Sosa could still be inducted by the Hall of Fame's Contemporary Baseball Era Veterans Committee. This committee can elect players who are no longer on the main ballot.
Personal Life
Sammy Sosa is married to Sonia Rodríguez. They have four children. He is Catholic.
In 2009, Sosa's skin appeared much lighter. He explained that he uses a bleaching cream before bed. He said it softens and lightens his skin.
See also
In Spanish: Sammy Sosa para niños
- 30–30 club
- 50 home run club
- List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
- List of Major League Baseball home run records
- List of Major League Baseball runs-batted-in champions
- List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders
