Cubs announce Derrek Lee and Sammy Sosa to join Cubs Hall Of Fame in 2025

CHICAGO – Chicago Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts announced at tonight’s Cubs Convention Opening Ceremony that former Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and outfielder Sammy Sosa will be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame this year. The 2025 Cubs Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at Wrigley Field at a date to be announced later.

"The Cubs Hall of Fame Committee selected two of the greatest hitters ever to play for the Chicago Cubs. 'D-Lee' started out as a ‘Cubs Killer’ with the Marlins until he became a Cub, where he had some of his best years of his impressive career. Derrek was a rock at first base and one of the most consistent hitters in Cubs history," said Chicago Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts.

"Sammy Sosa was not only one of the greatest home run hitters of all time, but he was a favorite of right field bleacher fans by showing, sprinting out to right field to start each game. His defensive play was All-Star caliber in addition to his impressive all-time slugging stats," said Ricketts. "We are privileged to have him back at the Cubs Convention so that we can celebrate with him."

Lee played seven seasons with the Cubs (2004-10) and was a two-time MLB All-Star (2005, 2007) hitting .298 (1,046-for-3,514) with 179 HR and 574 RBI over his 924 games with the club. In 2005, Lee led the majors in batting average (.335), doubles (50) and OPS (1.080) and paced the National League in hits (199), while leading the Cubs in runs (120), RBI (107) and home runs (46). Additionally, Lee was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2003, 2005, 2007), Silver Slugger Award winner (2005) and a member of two Cubs postseason teams (2007-08).

“My seven years with the Cubs meant so much to my family and me, both as a person and a player,” Lee said in a statement. “To be included with so many greats in the Cubs Hall of Fame is humbling, something I never dreamed of. Cubs fans are the best in baseball. You guys unconditionally cheered us on and supported us through the tough times. I will forever be grateful to the Cubs fans as well as the entire Cubs organization and the Ricketts family for this honor. I would also like to thank my teammates, coaches and support staff without whom this recognition would not be possible. Wrigley Field is such a special place, and I cannot wait to return this summer.”

Sosa began his Cubs career in 1992 and went on to play 13 seasons with the Northsiders. He remains the franchise leader in home runs (545) and also ranks in the top-ten in slugging percentage (2nd, .569), RBI (3rd, 1,414), total bases (4th, 3,980), runs (6th, 1,245), walks (6th, 798), at bats (8th, 6,990), hits (9th, 1,985) and games (10th, 1811). He won National League MVP honors in 1998 while hitting a club record 66 home runs and leading the Cubs to a postseasonberth. He was a seven-time MLB All-Star as a member of the Cubs, a six-time Silver Slugger winner and remains the all-time home run leader at Wrigley Field with 293.

“It’s overwhelming to receive this news,” Sosa said in a statement. “I feel I owe so much to the Ricketts family and the Cubs organization, but also to the fans. It’s so fun to be back here in Chicago and see the fans who have meant so much to me over the years. I’m honored to be in the Cubs Hall of Fame, and I look forward to returning this summer for the ceremony.”

The Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame includes 63 plaques which represent individuals who dedicated their time to Cubs baseball, both on and off the field. Baseball legends, former players and managers, beloved broadcasters and announcers, team owners and front office executives grace the walls of the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame, immortalized in historic Wrigley Field since 2021 in the Left Field Budweiser Bleacher concourse. Former Cubs players are voted on and selected by a committee of voters. The plaques included in the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame represent individuals previously enshrined in the original Cubs Hall of Fame (1982-86) and in the Cubs Walk of Fame (1992-98). For more information on the Cubs Hall of Fame, please visit, www.cubs.com/halloffame.

The Cubs Convention continues through Sunday at the Sheraton Grand Chicago and will feature an action-packed weekend filled with fan-favorite activities, including autograph sessions with Cubs legends, players and coaches, engaging panel discussions, exhibits including the popular archive display rooms, live Cubs Authentics auctions, Cubs Bingo presented by Budweiser and more.

To view the current Cubs Convention programming lineup and for the latest information, download the 2025 Cubs Convention app or visit www.cubs.com/convention. Cubs Convention coverage can be found all weekend on Cubs.com, Marquee Sports Network and 670 the Score.