Skip to main content

On This Day in History: Chicago Cubs Slugger Sosa Wins MVP

On this day in Chicago Cubs history, slugger Sammy Sosa wins the 1998 National League MVP award.

On November 19, 1998, Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa moonwalked his way to the National League MVP award. 

While Sosa didn't win the award unanimously, he did garner 30 of the 32 first place votes. Sosa's season in which he slashed an otherworldly .308/.377/.647 with 66 home runs and a MLB-leading 158 RBI was one of the best all-around seasons ever put together by a player. 

Sosa also led the Cubs to a postseason berth as the Wild Card that faced the Atlanta Braves in the National League Divisional Series. Atlanta would end up sweeping the Cubs in a best-of-five series.

Mark McGuire came second in voting that season while Texas Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez took home the American League award.

However, it is worth noting that these awards and seasons came at the height of the steroid era. So, take these awards and laurels with an extra grain of salt.

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

  1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Chicago Cubs?
  2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
  3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
  4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
  5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
  6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
  7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
  8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
  9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
  10. Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field?

Make sure to follow Inside the Cubs on Twitter!