Despite the connection to the steroid scandal of the 2000s, slugger Sammy Sosa is still an important part of Chicago Cubs history.
So anytime you can be connected to Sosa in franchise lore, you've done something noteworthy.
Such is the case for current Cubs standout Christopher Morel, who homered on Friday in a 10-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He homered in the third inning, where the Cubs hit three home runs in total.
But by hitting his 12th homer of the season, Morel joined Sosa in team history and did something not seen in more than 20 years.
Per ESPN Stats & Info:
Christopher Morel has 12 HR this season, the most by a Cubs player through his first 30 games of a season since Sammy Sosa in 2002.
Morel didn't even break camp with the team out of spring training, but is now hitting in the middle of the team's order.
He went 3-5 with three RBI and three runs scored on Friday and is now hitting .301 on the year with the 12 homers, 26 RBI and a stolen base.
He made his debut in 2022, playing in 113 games, and is a lifetime .249 hitter with 28 homers and 73 RBI.
The Cubs have now won four straight games and six of their last 10 to pull back into the National League Central race.
At 32-37, the record may not look impressive, but they are just three games back of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the division.
The Cubs and Orioles play again on Saturday at 2:20 p.m. ET.
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