(670 The Score) Cubs legend Sammy Sosa's relationship with his former organization remains the same that it has been for years.
Strained, with each side continuing to hold its stance.
A day after his 1998 home run chase against the Cardinals' Mark McGwire was featured in the "Long Gone Summer" documentary on ESPN, Sosa expressed hope during an interview on the Mully & Haugh Show that he can rekindle his fractured relationship with the Cubs organization.
What Sosa didn't express was regret for his role in the steroids era. For years, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has maintained that Sosa owes fans an apology and honesty about performance-enhancing drugs before there's a reconciliation with the organization.
"I never tested positive," Sosa said on 670 The Score on Monday morning.
Sosa's tie to steroid use came when the New York Times reported in 2009 that he was among the MLB players who had tested positive for PEDs back in 2003. Sosa appeared before Congress in 2005 and stated under oath that he never used steroids.
Sosa hit a franchise record 545 home runs in his Cubs career, which lasted from 1992-2004. That included his majestic 1998 season, when he hit 66 homers while McGwire set a then-record with 70 homers. Sosa has 609 career homers.
Sosa would love to return to Wrigley Field and celebrate with the organization and fans.
"They made me go hard every day – I owe it to the fans, everything I have," Sosa said. "If I have a chance to come back and address them, there's going to be a lot of tears. Because I haven't been back in Chicago in such a lot time. I really, really want say so much, things to the fans and my appreciation, the support they had for me.
"It's going to be a very good time coming back to Chicago (if it happens). It would be great. I'm looking for any way, but when that moment comes, I've got to be prepared for that. And also the fans, it's going to be very happy also. Let's see what happens."
Sosa cited McGwire and former Giants slugger Barry Bonds when expressing bewilderment over why the Cubs won't welcome him back.
"What can I say?" Sosa said. "They welcomed back Mark McGwire in St. Louis. They welcomed back Barry Bonds in San Francisco. So I don't know what I have to go through to come to Chicago. Whatever the situation is, let's see what happens. Time will heal everything."
The Cubs haven't reached out to Sosa or his camp recently, Sosa said.
"We just need some more time," Sosa said. "Let's see what happens in the near future, like I told you before. I'm not in a rush. We'd definitely love to come back, no question. But there's a procedure that we got to go through, and let's see what happens.
Sosa added his appreciation for Cubs fans as he closed his interview.
"I love you guys, Chicago," Sosa said. "It's the city that gave me my opportunity. I hope in the near future to come back to my home. I can't wait for that day to come true. I know the fans are going to support me 100%."
