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CHGO Digest: Sammy Sosa, Jeremy Roenick back in Chicago mix

December 20, 2024

Good morning.

CHGO lost some incredibly talented individuals as part of layoffs throughout the ALLCITY Network on Wednesday. It’s a brutal reality and an all-too-common sight in the sports industry.

As CHGO’s digital editor, I had the privilege of working with Ryan Herrera and Vinnie Duber on their weekly newsletters. Their spectacular work not only made my job easier but also made me a smarter baseball fan.

As a member of our Bears coverage this season, I was lucky enough to spend my Wednesdays at Halas Hall and Sundays at Soldier Field alongside Nicholas Moreano. Nick guided me as an amateur through a press box and media room chock-full of veterans of the beat. He’ll be back in there soon enough.

Then there’s Herb Lawrence, who always answered my “I-L-L” with a quick “I-N-I”, and Greg Boysen, whose Blackhawks coverage I’ve followed for a decade.

I will support them in whatever is next and I hope you will, too. They’re great people and I deeply appreciate the past eight months we’ve had together.

— Patrick Norton

Sammy’s coming home.

Sammy Sosa is back in the good graces of the Chicago Cubs. After 17 years estranged from the franchise where he owns the record for most home runs (545), Sosa released a statement apologizing for “mistakes” while acknowledging he understands “why some players in [his] era don’t always get the recognition that [their] stats deserve.”

Sosa notably did not specifically admit to the use of illegal performance enhancers and specified he “never broke any laws”, but the statement was deemed worthy from Cubs ownership.

Almost immediately after Sosa’s statement became public, Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts released his own to accept the former slugger’s apology while extending an invitation to the 2025 Cubs Convention in January at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.

“No one played harder or wanted to win more,” said Ricketts in a statement on Thursday. “Nobody’s perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs.”

It was long rumored that a reconciliation would not happen until Sosa either apologized for his actions or admitted his use of steroids. While Sosa did not publicly mention the use of PEDs, the statement was enough in the eyes of the team. Now, the door is seemingly wide open for the Cubs to make Sosa the next addition to the club’s Hall of Fame.

⚾ Full statements from Sammy Sosa and Tom Ricketts

Jeremy Roenick honored at UC

For the first time as a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Jeremy Roenick was back in the United Center on behalf of the Chicago Blackhawks. The organization rolled out the red carpet for the former winger, holding a Q&A with fans in the stadium’s atrium and having Roenick sound the horn before puck drop.

The team wrapped a bow on the festivities with a video tribute to No. 27 during the first period. Roenick then received a loud ovation from the crowd.

“Just by having everybody here, showing up early, coming to listen to my goofy stories that sometimes get a little crazy and emotional, but I can’t thank you guys enough,” said the 20-year NHLer during his Q&A. “I can’t thank you enough for your support, for being here, you guys are the best. And I’m hoping I see everybody a lot more in the future.”

Spending eight of his 20 seasons in a Blackhawks sweater, Roenick scored 267 goals and tallied 329 assists, ranking 11th in team history for points.

However, the Roenick festivities weren’t the only cause for celebration on Thursday night. By defeating the Seattle Kraken, 3-1, Chicago earned its first winning streak of at least three games since… *drumroll* …February 2023.

Since firing head coach Luke Richardson on December 5, the Blackhawks are 4-3-0. Not too shabby for a team that was 8-16-2 before 12/5. At least one Chicago sports team seems better off since firing their head coach…

🏒 Why Ryan Donato is deserving of an extension with the Blackhawks