The Chicago Cubs welcome back one of their most famous players.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a written statement Thursday that the franchise is inviting Sammy Sosa to the 2025 Cubs Convention.

“To say Sammy is a fan favorite is an understatement,” Ricketts said in a statement. “We plan to invite him to the 2025 Cubs convention and hope he can attend, even if it is at short notice. We are all ready to move forward together.”

This invitation came within an hour of Sosa issuing a letter of apology. Sosa does not say specifically in the letter what he is apologizing for.

“There were times when I did my best to recover from my injuries and maintain my strength for 162 games,” Sosa said. “I have never broken any laws, but in hindsight I made mistakes and I apologize. We did great things as a team and I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter.”

Sosa left the door open to a return to the Cubs in an interview in March.

The relationship between Sosa and the Cubs franchise has been defunct since the franchise traded Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles in 2004. Sosa has been linked to the baseball steroids scandal that rocked the sport in the 2010s.

“Like I said, I’m a mature man,” Sosa said in March. “I think it’s a possibility that we can do it. I’m open. I don’t have a problem with that. I have had many misunderstandings in the past. But now I’m a real man. I feel.” Great. I realize my mistake. So, hey, why not?

Then Sosa said he realized his mistakes. On Thursday, he used his words to pay tribute to the fans who have supported him during his 13 seasons as a Cub.

“The Cubs fans are the best in the world and I hope the fans, the Cubs and I can all get back together and move on,” Sosa wrote. “We cannot change the past, but the future is bright. I have always been a Cub at heart and I can’t wait to see the Cubs fans again.”

It remains to be seen whether Sosa will accept that invitation, but it speaks volumes how the Cubs are extending their arms to one of their most popular players.

“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and coming forward. Nobody played harder or wanted to win more,” Ricketts said in a statement. “No one is perfect, but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.”

CubsSports