MLB Hall of Fame: Breaking down the 2019 ballot

Sammy Sosa – 7th year on ballot (7.8% in 2018)

There was a time when Sammy Sosa was one of the more celebrated players in baseball. Those days are long gone at this point.

Back in 1998, MLB was still suffering the aftershocks of the disastrous Player’s Strike, which caused he cancellation of the World Series and effectively destroyed the Montreal Expos. Then, Sosa and Mark McGwire engaged in a chase for Roger Maris‘ home run record, captivating the nation and bringing baseball back to the forefront. The lovable Sosa was celebrated, credited with helping to save the game with his power and personality.

His overall numbers reflect his excellent run of success. A seven time All Star and six time Silver Slugger, Sosa was the 1998 NL MVP, beating out McGwire in the vote. He produced a .273/.344/.534 batting line, belting 609 homers and stealing 234 bases. He remains the only player ever to hit 60 or more homers in three seasons, and the only player to hit 60 or more homers and not lead the league in that category in that season.

However, Sosa’s time in the game ended on a sour note. He essentially walked out on the Cubs, angering his teammates who destroyed his locker. Sosa was also discovered to have used a corked bat, which, along with suspicions regarding PED use, have left Sosa barely hanging on the ballot.

Sammy Sosa may have helped to save baseball twenty years ago, but those days have long passed by.