Sammy Sosa, baseball player, 609 home runs, 1989-2007

Sammy Sosa

Born: 11/12/1968 in San Pedro de Macoris, San Pedro de Macorís, D.R.

MLB Debut: 1989-06-16 | Final Game: 2007-09-29

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 165 lbs

Full name: Samuel Peralta Sosa

Biography

Sammy Sosa, born in 1968, was a prominent professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1989 to 2007. Known for his powerful hitting and charismatic presence, Sosa played primarily as a position player and became one of the most recognizable figures in Major League Baseball during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 2,354 games, amassing 2,408 hits, 609 home runs, and 1,667 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .273. His ability to blend power with speed was evident in his 234 stolen bases, showcasing his versatility on the field. Sosa's legacy is particularly tied to the home run race of 1998, where he competed with Mark McGwire for the single-season home run record, ultimately finishing the season with 66 home runs. This thrilling competition not only captivated fans but also played a significant role in revitalizing interest in baseball following the strike of 1994. A seven-time All-Star, Sosa was celebrated for his impact on the game, both statistically and culturally. His contributions to the sport extended beyond the diamond, as he became a symbol of the power-hitting era that defined baseball during his playing days. Despite the controversies surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, Sosa's accomplishments remain a significant chapter in the history of the sport.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2354 8813 1475 2408 379 45 609 1667 234 929 2306 0.273 0.344 0.534 0.878 29521.2

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
15 53 8 13 3 0 2 7 13 17 0.245

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
2003 NLCS CHN 7 26 7 8 1 0 2 6 6 9 0.308
2003 NLDS2 CHN 5 16 1 3 1 0 0 1 6 4 0.188
1998 NLDS1 CHN 3 11 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 0.182

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 2203 2138 4522 143 128 26

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 14
Center Field 234
Right Field 2015
Designated Hitter 133

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
2007 TEX AL $500,000
2005 BAL AL $17,000,000
2004 CHN NL $16,000,000
2003 CHN NL $16,000,000
2002 CHN NL $15,000,000
2001 CHN NL $12,500,000
2000 CHN NL $11,000,000
1999 CHN NL $9,000,000
1998 CHN NL $8,325,000
1997 CHN NL $5,500,000
1996 CHN NL $4,750,000
1995 CHN NL $4,300,000
1994 CHN NL $2,950,000
1993 CHN NL $745,000
1992 CHN NL $180,000
1991 CHA AL $150,000
1990 CHA AL $100,000
1989 TEX AL $68,000
Total Career Earnings $124,068,000

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
2003 Most Valuable Player NL 8th 53.0 448 0
2002 Most Valuable Player NL 9th 63.0 448 0
2001 Most Valuable Player NL 2nd 278.0 448 2
2000 Most Valuable Player NL 9th 71.0 448 0
1999 Most Valuable Player NL 9th 87.0 448 0
1998 Most Valuable Player NL 1st 438.0 448 30
1997 Most Valuable Player NL 19th 5.0 392 0
1996 Most Valuable Player NL 15th 12.0 392 0
1995 Most Valuable Player NL 8th 81.0 392 0