I can’t say the 1998 season is one I remember vividly, but it is absolutely the season that got me into baseball – and more specifically, the Chicago Cubs. And although there’s been 22-years of legitimate Cubs *history* since then, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and the home run race of 1998 is one of the most memorable chapters of every Cubs fan’s story.
Tonight, ESPN will finally broadcast the long-anticipated 30-30 documentary, focusing on that summer, and I’m quite ready to be taken back to my childhood.
'98 Sammy. pic.twitter.com/wMpUVOBEx6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 14, 2020
I’m also ready to hear from Sammy Sosa.
Although we got close to a reunion in 2014 and have heard him open up to David Kaplan twice since then, this documentary feels like a fairly momentous occasion. Sosa won’t likely be the lone focus of the documentary – McGwire, of course, won that battle – but I’d argue he’s got more to say, especially since McGwire has already returned to the sport.
The question is how far will he go. I think by now we all know not to expect some sort of big steroid revelation or general apology, both of which seem to the crux of any return to the Cubs (according to … ownership), but perhaps Sosa will use the platform to continue building a bridge back to Chicago. I certainly hope there’s enough good will for a return (god knows we could use the positivity at the moment), and fans have routinely and overwhelmingly voiced their support for his return.
I am a big Sammy Sosa fan and I cannot wait for tonight.
Broadcast Info:
Long gone Summer at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN, streamable (for authenticated subscribers) on ESPN.com, mobile and connected TV devices, as well as ESPN on demand.
Length: 2 hours (104 minutes without commercials, if you’re waiting until tomorrow).
All of the home runs. All of the stories.
'Long Gone Summer' premieres at 9 PM ET on @ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V850gfRdHo
— 30 for 30 (@30for30) June 14, 2020