Sammy Sosa Biography

Fast Facts

• Was the first player in league history to, on three separate seasons, make over 60 home runs
• In 1986, he left his native Dominican Republic to play baseball for a minor league team in Florida
• Made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers, but was traded to the Chicago White Sox within a few weeks
• After his father died when he was 7 years old, he helped support his family by doing odd jobs
• An MLB slugger known for his time with the Chicago Cubs
• Raced Mark McGwire of the St․ Louis Cardinals to beat Roger Maris's record of 61 home runs in a season, and though both players broke the record, McGwire did so first and ended the season with 70 runs as opposed to Sosa's 66
• Retired from the MLB with 609 career home runs
• His whole family called him "Mikey․"