Sammy Sosa apologizes for steroid rumors, welcomed back by Cubs: ‘Mistake made’

Sammy Sosa issued a statement Thursday apologizing for his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, more than a quarter-century after he broke Major League Baseball’s home run record.

“There were times when I did my utmost to recover from my injuries and maintain my strength for 162 games,” Sosa said in a statement.

“I have never broken any laws, but in hindsight I made mistakes and I apologize for that.”

Sosa’s apology was a longstanding prerequisite for the Chicago Cubs to welcome him back into the good hands of the club, and chairman Tom Ricketts also released a statement Thursday confirming that he had been invited to the Cubs Convention fan event would.

“No one is perfect, but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs,” Ricketts said.

Sosa finished his 18-year MLB career with 609 home runs and won the 1998 NL MVP Award with 66 home runs, placing him second in that season’s historic home run race behind Mark McGwire with 70.

In the years that followed, Sosa was one of many players accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, famously testifying before Congress in 2005 along with McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro.

“I understand why some players of my era do not always receive the recognition our statistics deserve,” Sosa said in his statement Thursday.

While McGwire and others have come clean over the years, Sosa’s statement Thursday is the greatest acknowledgment he has ever given.

Ricketts said, “It’s an understatement to say Sammy is a fan favorite…We’re all ready to move forward together.”

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sammy Sosa Cubs reunite after Slugger’s steroid apology statement