Both Sosa and former first baseman Derrek Lee will be 2025 inductees, the team announced during its Cubs Convention on Friday

A “very special” edition of the Cubs Convention kicked off Friday with the return of Sammy Sosa from Cubbie exile after 20 years, the introduction of new star Kyle Tucker and powder blue alternate jerseys and the same old hopes and dreams of the last 39 years.

When Sosa was introduced on stage as the newest member of the Cubs’ Hall of Fame, the fans rose from their seats, screaming his name. He ran across the stage, and danced to the song, “Let Me Clear My Throat,’’ waving a small American flag, throwing his arms up in the air, and cupping his ears.

* Over the weekend, the Chicago Cubs finally made up with Sammy Sosa and welcomed him back to their annual fan festival. There, Sosa was greeted as a hero, the prodigal slugger returning home to the franchise with which he was most closely associated. It’s time for the Red Sox to do the same with two of their former stars.

When Sammy Sosa apologized in a statement last month for making “mistakes” over the course of his baseball career, the question of exactly what those mistakes were was left hanging. After reuniting with the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk and being named to their Hall of Fame,

We can expect a wild few days as results of so many high-stakes clashes take place over the long weekend. There are shootouts and events across the state. Here are just a few of the best individual matchups, starting with a monster Catholic League battle Friday night and the Game of the Weekend in a Monday matinee.

The legendary Dominican Sammy Sosa made a grand return to Chicago to join the Cubs Con and received news so thrilling that he had to dash to the stage: he will be inducted into the MLB team's Hall of Fame.

Ricketts responded minutes later, inviting Sosa to the team's annual convention, which will be held Jan. 17-19 in Chicago. "We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out.

The Chicago Cubs elected outfielder Sammy Sosa and former first basemen Derek Lee to the team's Hall of Fame during their annual fan convention.

Sammy Sosa's 13-year stint with the Chicago Cubs came to an end after the 2004 season. During that run, he won MVP (1998), led the MLB in home runs twice (2000, '02), won six Silver Sluggers and made seven All-Star Games. Now, more than 20 years after he left the Windy City, Sosa will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.

A “very special” edition of the Cubs Convention kicked off Friday with the return of Sammy Sosa from Cubbie exile after 20 years, the introduction of new star Kyle Tucker and powder blue alternate jerseys and the same old hopes and dreams of the last 39 years.