Sammy Sosa

Dominican slugger who hit 600 home runs and is one of nine players in MLB history to reach that milestone.

Samuel Peralta Sosa (; born November 12, 1968) is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. After playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, Sosa joined the Cubs in 1992 and became regarded as one of the game's best hitters. He hit his 400th home run in his 1,354th game and his 5,273rd at-bat, reaching this milestone quicker than any player in National League history. Sosa is one of nine players in MLB history to hit 600 career home runs.

Quick Facts

Position: Right fielder
Bats: Right
Born: 12 November 1968
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: June 16
Debut year: 1989
Debut team: Texas Rangers

Lore & Background

In 1998, Sosa, along with Mark McGwire, achieved international fame for his home run-hitting prowess in pursuit of Roger Maris' single-season home-run record. With the Cubs, Sosa became a seven-time All-Star while holding numerous team records. He finished his career with stints with the Baltimore Orioles and the Rangers for a second time. With the Rangers, Sosa hit his 600th career home run to become the fifth player in MLB history to reach the milestone.

Nicknamed 'Slammin' Sammy', Sosa is second all-time in home runs among foreign-born MLB players and is one of only three National League players since 1900 to reach 160 RBIs in one season (2001). He is also the only player to have hit 60 or more home runs in a single season three times, which he accomplished in 1998, 1999, and 2001. Sosa did not lead the league in home runs in any of those seasons, although he did lead the league in 2000 with 50 home runs, and in 2002 with 49.

Reader's Guide

Sosa was born on November 12, 1968, in the Dominican Republic. He made his major league debut on June 16, 1989, with the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox on July 29, 1989, and then to the Chicago Cubs before the 1992 season. With the Cubs, he emerged during the 1998 season as one of baseball's greatest, hitting 66 home runs. He won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1998. Sosa hit 63 home runs in 1999, 50 in 2000, 64 in 2001, and 49 in 2002. In 2003, he was ejected for using a corked bat and suspended. He finished his career with the Baltimore Orioles and then the Texas Rangers again. In a 2005 congressional hearing, Sosa through his attorney denied having used performance-enhancing drugs. In a 2024 public statement, Sosa admitted to having made 'mistakes' recovering from injuries during his career.