Sammy Sosa Says 'Nobody Was Blind' While Addressing Steroids Era: 'There Were No Rules'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sammy Sosa on Sept. 27, 2024.Photo:Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty

Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty

Reunited with his former team, the Chicago Cubs,Sammy Sosais revisiting his past while he looks to the future.The retired slugger — who has long been accused of using performance enhancing drugs during his MLB career — is working with hitters during spring training, and recently addressed the doping allegations that have dogged him for more than two decades.“Nobody was blind,” Sosa, 56, toldUSA Todaywhen the topic of performance-enhancing drugs came up, before later adding, “I’m still proud of what I did. I had great years, I never tested positive. And anyways, there were no rules. No rules back then. None."“I played hard and I made a lot of people happy," the athlete continued.These days, the former star is hanging out with current players in Mesa, Ariz., where he was invited as a guest instructor. Wearing a Cubs uniform, Sosa was spotted grinning ear-to-ear while touring the club’s spring facility last week, according toMLB.com.Sosa’s return comes roughly two months after he offered a public apology, appearing to recognize his alleged use of PEDs during his record-breaking career, sharing that he “made mistakes” in the past in a statement released in December 2024,The Associated Pressreported.Weeks later, he was elected to the Chicago Cubs' Hall of Fame.Slammin Sammy’s 66-home run season in 1998 still stands as one of the greatest hitting performances of all-time and remains fondly remembered among Cubs fans, who watched him chase rival St. Louis Cardinals star Mark McGwire throughout the summer as they raced tobreak Roger Maris’ long-standing record of 61 home runsin a single season.Sosa had previously claimed his innocence when asked about using PEDs, and had been estranged from his former franchise since his 2007 retirement.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Later this year, the Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Baseball Era committee is set to meet to discuss whether Sosa, McGwire and others embroiled in the controversy will be enshrined in history.“I believe in time," Sosa said, perUSA Today. “Nobody’s perfect. Time will heal all wounds. I really believe that one day the door will be open for us."

Reunited with his former team, the Chicago Cubs,Sammy Sosais revisiting his past while he looks to the future.

The retired slugger — who has long been accused of using performance enhancing drugs during his MLB career — is working with hitters during spring training, and recently addressed the doping allegations that have dogged him for more than two decades.

“Nobody was blind,” Sosa, 56, toldUSA Todaywhen the topic of performance-enhancing drugs came up, before later adding, “I’m still proud of what I did. I had great years, I never tested positive. And anyways, there were no rules. No rules back then. None."

“I played hard and I made a lot of people happy," the athlete continued.

These days, the former star is hanging out with current players in Mesa, Ariz., where he was invited as a guest instructor. Wearing a Cubs uniform, Sosa was spotted grinning ear-to-ear while touring the club’s spring facility last week, according toMLB.com.

Sosa’s return comes roughly two months after he offered a public apology, appearing to recognize his alleged use of PEDs during his record-breaking career, sharing that he “made mistakes” in the past in a statement released in December 2024,The Associated Pressreported.

Weeks later, he was elected to the Chicago Cubs' Hall of Fame.

Slammin Sammy’s 66-home run season in 1998 still stands as one of the greatest hitting performances of all-time and remains fondly remembered among Cubs fans, who watched him chase rival St. Louis Cardinals star Mark McGwire throughout the summer as they raced tobreak Roger Maris’ long-standing record of 61 home runsin a single season.

Sosa had previously claimed his innocence when asked about using PEDs, and had been estranged from his former franchise since his 2007 retirement.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Later this year, the Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Baseball Era committee is set to meet to discuss whether Sosa, McGwire and others embroiled in the controversy will be enshrined in history.

“I believe in time," Sosa said, perUSA Today. “Nobody’s perfect. Time will heal all wounds. I really believe that one day the door will be open for us."

source: people.com