Former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa and first baseman Derek Lee have been elected to the team's Hall of Fame. This marks a significant step towards mending the relationship between Sosa and the Cubs organization, which had been strained for years. Sosa's journey back to the Cubs began with a December statement where he addressed past mistakes, expressing regret without explicitly mentioning performance-enhancing drugs. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts responded positively, signaling a willingness to move forward and inviting Sosa to the team's annual fan convention. This marked Sosa's first official appearance with the Cubs since his departure in 2004.

Sosa's appearance at the convention was met with a warm reception from fans. He entered the stage with an American flag, receiving a standing ovation. He clarified that his earlier apology wasn't specifically about PED use, but rather a general acknowledgment of past actions and an attempt to reconnect with fans. Sosa emphasized personal growth and the importance of the moment, expressing his desire to contribute to the organization. He holds the Cubs' franchise record for home runs with 545 and finished his MLB career with 609 home runs, placing him ninth on the all-time list. He also boasts a career .273 batting average, 1,667 RBIs, and 234 stolen bases over 18 seasons.

Despite his impressive statistics, Sosa's career has been overshadowed by allegations of PED use, which have kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame through the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot. His next opportunity will be through the contemporary player committee. Sosa and Lee will be officially inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame during a game this summer.