Former Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa once claimed he had 'never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs'

In March 2005, former Chicago Cubs star and famed juicer Sammy Sosa denied ever using steroids to enhance his power-hitting ability. In an 11-hour session of the House Committee on Government Reform, he was among the players and baseball executives who gave their testimony.

Choosing to speak in Spanish through an interpreter before the congress, Sosa said:

"To be clear, I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs. I have not broken the laws of the United States or the laws of the Dominican Republic. I have been tested as recently as 2004, and I am clean,"

"Today in Baseball History: McGwire, Sosa, and Palmeiro testify before Congress." Craig Calcaterra

Several MLB fans criticized him for not speaking English, despite the fact that he frequently did so in prior interviews.

Five years later, the New York Times reported on June 16, 2009, that Sammy was on a list of 104 players who had tested positive for PEDs in 2003 - an anonymous, test that was aimed solely at gauging the severity of the steroids in the league.

Sammy Sosa was ready to "calmly wait" for his National Baseball Hall of Fame induction

Oakland Athletics v Baltimore Orioles: BALTIMORE - APRIL 4: Melvin Mora (6) and Sammy Sosa #21 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate a play during the opening day game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 4, 2005, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles defeated the A's 4-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger /Getty Images)

In 2009 during an interview with ESPN Deportes, former Chicago Cubs right-fielder Sammy Sosa was optimistic about his HOF enshrinement despite being involved in the steroid scandal.

Five years later, he became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. However, he was not elected by the BBWAA into Cooperstown receiving 12.5% in his first year on the ballot.

In the following years, his voting percentage dropped to as low as 6.6% in 2015.

"Should Sammy Sosa be in the HOF?" - FOX Sports: MLB

BBWAA removes a candidate from consideration after ten years of unsuccessful elections, therefore Sosa's final appearance was on the 2022 ballot.