Sammy Sosa Is Waiting For His Statue

One of my favorite things about Cubs fans is the way they've treated Sammy Sosa over the last 10 years. For years when Sammy was playing on the north side of Chicago, Cubs fans adored him. Everywhere you looked you saw somebody in a #21 Sosa jersey. He was a God.

Then towards the end of the 2004 season, things started going wrong. The Cubs had followed up their 2003 collapse in the NLCS with a bottom of the NL Central performance, and the fans turned on Sosa. It was the last season he'd play for the Cubs, and the way Cubs fans talk about Sosa now kills me. Go up to any Cubs fan right now and ask him about Sosa, and they'll tell you everything they hate about the guy, and how they never really liked him that much to begin with. (Or they'll tell you they can't even remember who your talking about. cough EAMONN cough)

So I guess all those summer afternoons bowing to him never took place. Anywho, with the recent dedication of a statue for Ernie Banks at Wrigley Field, there's been a discussion as to when, if ever, there will be a statue built in Sosa's honor. Ernie Banks has gone on record saying he thinks there should be one, and Sammy thinks there will be as well.

"Ernie has his statue, and he worked for that," Sosa said. "I don't think they're going to build a statue for me right away. Chicago has supported me all my life. Some people think I don't have love for Chicago, but Chicago hasn't done anything [wrong] to me.

"I had a few misunderstandings with a few people in the organization. But other than that, people want to put it a different way. It is not like that."

Sosa is currently more interested in finding out if he's going to play baseball again, as he still wants to play but has said he will retire if he doesn't get an offer from somebody soon.

I personally think that the Cubs have to build a statue for Sosa, because for years here in Chicago he was worshiped on a level that only Michael Jordan surpassed in the city. I know there are all the steroid questions, but as we've learned over the last few months, who hasn't been on the juice at some point? In the end Sammy proved himself to be one of the greatest Cubs to ever step onto Wrigley Field, and whether Cubs fans want to remember it or not, he deserves to be remembered for what he did all those years on the north side.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-10-2008 @ 4:03PM

Tony said...

The Cubs did not at the bottom of the NL in '04. They collapsed down the stretch in large part due to LaTroy Hawkins and Dusty Baker. The team also turned against TV announcer Steve Stone for being honest. Stone is beloved in Chicago - which is why fans hated that team.

4-10-2008 @ 3:38PM

John S. said...

You sir are a moron. Sosa made fools of trusting Chicago fans that DID in fact give him their all for years. Don't mention his name in the same breath of Michael Jordan ever again. He isn't fit to clean MJ's undies. Did you forget the corked bat scenerio? How bout how he was a cancer for the clubhouse? The obnoxious comments and music. I don't have to like anyone if I don't want to. Do I have to like Mark McGuire? No, he's a cheater. They made a statue for him and then buried it in a warehouse somewhere. Make a statue for Sammy then burry it underground. It's really the only fitting place to put a cheater so we don't have to see the way he disgraced the game right in front of our unknowing faces. The reason Sosa isn't liked anymore is because he was exposed and he lied right to all our faces. I dunno how things work out in LA or NY, but in Chitown, you don't pull crap like that and get away with it. You know who deserves a statue in Chicago? Frank Thomas. Andre Dawson. Just because once in a decade there is a great player on each team, doesn't mean their memory must forever be enshrined. There are two Statues at Wrigley. One for HOF'er Harry Caray, and one for Mr. Cub. If anyone is next, I'm sure the majority would be clamouring for Santo to get one, not Uber-Douche-Liar-Cheat Slammin' Syringes Sosa. Take a hike.

4-10-2008 @ 4:13PM

Nick said...

Although Sosa fell from grace fast and hard in the eyes of many, you have to look at what he did for an organization that has been pretty much mediocre at best for the last decade. Taking into consideration, how many players have been accused/caught with steroids, it shouldn't play as large of a factor in deciding whether or not Sosa got a statue.

I always wanted to see Sosa come back to Wrigley while he was on another team to see the crowd reaction. I think it'd be 50/50 cheers and boos. You'd have the people who remember how many painful Cubs seasons that Sammy got them through cheering and you'd have the idiots who only remember what happened in the last 5 years.

4-10-2008 @ 4:21PM

Mike said...

I'd like to hate Sammy...but I can't. I spent my childhood in the 90s worshiping him for making my Cubbies relevant. It killed me when he left the Cubs, but he gave us a lot of good years.

4-10-2008 @ 4:30PM

ndn said...

I live in Chicago and I enjoyed the White Sox World Series year it was fun to enjoy... I am a Chicago Sports fan and I attended Cubs games when I was a teenager and was fortunate enough to attend many Sox games during their World Series year..I understand the anger about the bat, but the music??? THAT'S STUPID AND LAME...stop blaming Dusty for the Cubs loosing there is alot of blame to go around.. Maybe it's the arrogant stupid fans... maybe it is their karma...How do you know that he was a cancer in the clubhouse?? because some sports journalist told you that...if we have learned anything with the invention of the internet is that the media has its own agenda and OMG if Sammy had an off day and was not the nicest that day that means he is not deserving... You are right you can like who you want, but over the last couple of years I have come to learn that the "sports fan" has practically ruined the enjoyment of sports, not the cornrows, not the tattoos or the enormous salaries(those issues play a part)...I mean look at Bartman you guys feel entitled to win...the Cub fans have bad karma...first it's Dusty, then it will be Lou and so on... stop being d@#ks....

4-10-2008 @ 4:28PM

Panger said...

Dear John S:

I am so completely sick of people like you who, when disagreeing with a post here at Fanhouse, feel comfortable hurling nasty invective at the writer. "You sir are a moron." "Take a hike." Are these nasty one-liners necessary simply because you disagree with someone? If so, why? Is your argument so weak that you need to rely on vitriole to sell it?

I don't know you, John S., but can guess you are NOT a moron - so I feel comfortable challenging you to try your hand at intelligent argument rather than dimwitted posturing.

4-10-2008 @ 4:31PM

And one more thing, John S: you think Harry Caray deserves statues and not Jack Brickhouse? Disgusting. What a joke.

4-10-2008 @ 6:23PM

bet the super bowl said...

They should build a statue of s huge syringe.

4-10-2008 @ 6:00PM

Who said I was a Cubfan? I'm a Chicago fan. I've lived here my whole life and have attended games for both teams since I can remember. I never said Jack Brickhouse didn't deserve a statue, I said Cubs fans would first ask for one for Santo before Sosa or anyone else. Considering how much I was attacked for expressing my opinion, which was a reaction to someone telling me how to feel and think about a situation I lived entirely through and followed personally. It's insulting. This article was a joke, and I'm entitled to making that opinion in open forum if I want. Of course the Cubs have terrible karma. Who has been to a Cub game and a Sox game? There is a big difference. Mainly, sox fans are paying attention and spending more money on food than alcohol. Cub fans are the younger crowd in many cases merely at the game to enjoy the atmosphere and the weather. Sammy was a cancer. Why in the hell would the team have any reason to be listening to live radio broadcast of the GAME THEY ARE CURRENTLY PLAYING IN, and get so worked up about what a beloved local announcer is saying, to get him fired, and then collapse with a 7 game lead in august?! Don't tell me how to think. Sammy was the biggest waste in Cubs history. He's a cheater, and that fellas, is where I draw the line. I don't care how many people did it, he was the face of the franchise and he should have known better... Like I said, I don't know how you prefer your ballplayers on the east or west coast, but in the middle here, we like um with a touch of class. Sorry if I was not able to exude this quality in my rant, but like I said, I don't appreciate being told how to think. The government already does enough of that. It isn't dimwitted posturing, it's called not taking crap from some guy who aparently doesn't know what the hell he is talking about. Tom, feel free to join in here buddy and defend your statements. Cause this article was pure trash. JRSwanson@sbcglobal.net for anyone who wants to continue this. Don't chastise my argument for using the same theatrics you used to criticize me.

4-10-2008 @ 7:01PM

Fornelli said...

I think I said my piece in the actual post. Also, just because you don't agree with what I say, doesn't mean what I'm saying is pure trash.

But whatever, we all have our own opinions.

4-10-2008 @ 7:02PM

Also, MJ was a cheater as well. Just ask his wife.

4-10-2008 @ 11:11PM

strannge said...

HELL NO

4-11-2008 @ 12:20AM

John S., I am amused you interpreted my words as an attempt to tell you how to think. You might want to reread what I wrote one more time before you continue in that direction.

Oh yeah, and I was born and raised in Uptown, city of Chicago. I guess that makes me an East Coaster to someone who lives in the 'burbs, which I'm guessing you do.

4-11-2008 @ 11:47AM

Jack Ranallo said...

Panger you are not a real Chicagoan. You either love the sox or cubs not both....There are no Chicago sports fans that like both teams PERIOD! That would be called a fair weather fan! What will be your favorite team next year?? Whoever wins???

4-11-2008 @ 12:55PM

Just to clarify for Panger since you are obviously not paying full attention to what I'm saying, you're just judging cause you're a Sammy fan. I was criticizing Fornelli for telling me how to think/feel about Sosa, not you. Last I checked, Tom wrote this piece. Also, you being born in Uptown doesn't make you an East-coaster, but it likely makes you an unfairly biased Cub fan. you should have just agreed that Santo deserves a statue more than Sammy and moved on with it. Oh, I live in Old Irving Park by the way. I just happen to follow and love both teams equally. Sorry if you have a problem with that but let me tell you, it's not easy following 324 games each year. I could probably tell you more about each team than you could about one. Anyways, you're an idiot for supporting this stupid Sosa statue idea. Just my opinion. Just a guess too, White Male, 27-33, born with a silver spoon up your backside?

4-11-2008 @ 7:22PM

My last comment here: just where did I say I was supporting Sosa for a statue? To the contrary, I HATE Sammy Sosa. I think he's a blight on MLB; the only way he should get a statue is if it's a corked bat.

My issue was with the WAY you offered your argument - unnecessarily rude and nasty - not your argument itself. You are so blinded by your anger that you fail to read the words on the page. That was kinda my point in the first place. Critical thinking, not just mindless criticism, would be appreciated.

(And I'm still guessing you were raised in the 'burbs.)

4-11-2008 @ 7:30PM

Oh, I missed that last comment: "Just a guess too, White Male, 27-33, born with a silver spoon up your backside?"

:)

Dude, if you're ever thinking of trying to make money off your intutitive skills, a word of advice: Don't.

5-31-2008 @ 5:52PM

sassy said...

You have to look at his overall history. For all we know his bat was sabatoged! I wish you all would stop dwelling on that for an arguement. As for his music in the clubhouse. Do you realize how many players are from the Latin countries? They like their music! At least give him a plaque! As for the steroids --- Don't make me say FOOTBALL - Please!