Sammy Sosa, the 2000 Hispanic Heritage Award Honoree for Sports, is one of baseball’s most famous players.

Born to a poor family in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, in 1968, Mr. Sosa has learned to overcome adversity. As a child, he shined shoes in order to help support his mother and six siblings. At the age of 14 he started to play baseball with his friends using milk cartons and towels as gloves and a knot of towels as a ball. Mr. Sosa showed his skills early and was nearly signed to the Philadelphia Phillies at 15. Because of Major League rules, however, Mr. Sosa could not be signed until he turned 16. In 1985, after reaching 16, he was signed to the Texas Rangers. After 1989 he was traded to the Chicago White Sox and in 1990 hit 15 home runs and had 70 RBIs as a full-time player.

Mr. Sosa’s best years came after being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1992. Since 1998 Mr. Sosa has become one of the sport’s most respected players. In 1998 he broke Roger Maris’s single season home run record of 61 with 66 home runs, only slightly behind Mark McGwire’s 70. Mr. Sosa also stole 416 bases that season, which was the most in over 50 years. In 1999 and 2001 Mr. Sosa also had 63 and 64 home run seasons, making him the first player in history to have three over 60 home run seasons. He also holds the record for most home runs hit in a month. Mr. Sosa has been recognized internationally for his achievements and he has been the recipient of numerous awards including: the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1998, and co-winner of the 1998 Sports Illustrated “Sportsmen of the Year Award” with Mark McGwire. He was also invited as a guest of President Clinton to the 1999 State of the Union Address.

Currently, Mr. Sosa is a free-agent with a total home run count of 588, which makes him fifth on the all time home run record books. He will become eligible for the baseball hall of fame in 2011.