On the Tribune website today, a story came out where Ernie Banks suggests that Sammy Sosa go the same route that Mark McGwire did and admit to using steroids. Banks stated that this was a good time, with the new Cubs ownership, to bring Sammy back into the organization. In fact, Banks would like to meet with Sosa one-on-one to discuss the situation.
I completely agree. Sosa left on really bad terms as we all know. And I was at the front of the line to usher him out of town in 2004. But from 1996 until 2003, this man was the face of the franchise...steroids or no steroids. Sosa led the way to the current serge in Cubbie popularity. Sosa was the last true superstar that this team has had.
I'm not saying that I agree with what Sammy did. I'm not saying we should retire his number. And I'm sure as hell not saying he should be a coach or an advisor to the franchise in anyway. But Sammy did a lot for the Cubs, and we as fans took part in creating the ego monster that he became.
Sosa's assault on the record books affected basically only Ernie Banks and Hack Wilson. Banks appears to be willing to let it go. Sosa wasn't the first to break '61'...Sosa didn't bypass Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron. Sosa is as guilty as all the other hundreds of players that did steroids during that era.
I am also not demanding that we as Cub fans forgive Sosa right now. Sosa needs to be the person who starts the process to be brought back. Sosa needs to start winning back the hearts of the Cub fans.
So, Sammy, come clean. Please? And be honest about it. Don't pull the same bullshit that McGwire did saying it was only to help recover from injuries and so on. Be completely honest. Only then will the people of Chicago start to forgive you.
Because despite it all, Sosa always smiled when he played, and he gave it his all...and those are the things I admire about him...not the home runs. Continuing to be dishonest is unforgivable.
