Sammy Sosa Forum

Just had my article The 10 Best Rookie Cards Of Slugger Sammy Sosa, Ranked published and figured I'd start some conversation around him.

What's your favorite Sosa card, rookie other? Any Sosa memories to share? What's your take on Sosa and the Hall of Fame. 

Personally, I'll always have a soft spot for Sosa as the 1998 home run chase really helped bring me back into baseball fandom and collecting after being away at college. 

Very well-written and informative article - thanks for sharing.

Although I'm a bit ashamed to admit it now, I absolutely loved the Sosa-McGwire HR race at the time as well.  So much so that I put them in the "Additional thanks to..." section of the credits in the video game I was working on at the time lol (wow that was a lifetime ago).

Of the cards you listed, I'd have to say that my favorite Sosa RC is 1990 Leaf.  I like the sharp, silver design.

Very well written article, I enjoyed reading it.  I was 12yrs old during the home run chase in 1998 and though I was already a baseball fan I remember how the story captivated the country.  Local and National news channels would have nightly updates on the days homeruns and ongoing tally.  I just remember feeling like at that moment the entire nation was so caught up in baseball and you certainly can attribute that to McGwire and Sosa that year.  No matter what else you think about McGwire/Sosa, the homerun chase, or steroid use; the fact of the matter is that in 1998 steroids didnt matter and those two almost single handedly brought baseball back into the limelight and possibly even saved it.  Baseball just wasn't America's past-time after the 1994 strike, but 1998 certainly made it matter again.  

Fantastic article, thanks for sharing. 90 Donruss has always been one of my favorites, as you say probably more for the nostalgia than anything. 

Thank you all for the comments and kind words on the article. I agree that 1998 really brought baseball back, again, for me personally, but also for the country. I remember posting on the old MSNBC bulletin boards (anyone else remember those?) about the chase, what was going on, etc. I actually still have friends I speak to regularly that I met on there!

I'm partial to the Leaf Sosa as well, although obviously the Tiffany cards are pretty cool. Back in 1990 as a 14 year I had no concept of those. 

As a cardinals fan, I don't love Sammy,  but I enjoyed the competition with Mac in 98 and the way Sammy handled all the publicity.

As a baseball fan I wish Cubs would bring him back for a special day or something for the fans. I do realize that the history is complicated, but in time fans can appreciate the good times (like cardinals fans did with mac)

Mark 

I'm just amazed Sosa has 10 RCs! I mainly collect basketball and NBA guys from the early '90s and prior are lucky to have 2.

The Sosa/McGwire home run chase was probably the first time MLB feature prominently on TV here in NZ.

The 1990's was a crazy time for lots of sets...when I pick up rookies from that era, I find that most don't cost much these days, but you need to buy 5-15 of a player to get "all this rookie" cards, so it adds up. 

great article! my vote would be the donruss since its the nicest looking photo (action shot, batting) Also the red border looks great with a  PSA slab

Watched a lot of McGwire and Sosa with a friend who died way too young. The 1998 blastoff reminds me of him more than anything.

A hall of fame without Pete Rose isn't really a hall of fame anyway so they aren't missing much by not being in there. That place is just a shrine to Harold Baines.

Almost forgot, nice article!