No apparent thaw for Cubs on Sosa after recent Sammy comments

MESA, Ariz. — Sammy Sosa said in a recent interview that he’d like to return to the Cubs family and regrets the mistake he made when he walked out on the team during his last game as a Cub, but that doesn’t mean the relationship has thawed from the Cubs’ side.

If Sosa had allies in the Cubs’ front office or clubhouse, they’re long gone. And those in charge now don’t seem inclined to restore diplomatic ties with the once-adored slugger, who also carries the taint of steroid allegations.

In the interview with former Cubs exec Chuck Wasserstrom for a blog post, Sosa again denied using performance-enhancing drugs and even compared the allegations to the persecution of Jesus Christ.

“Chuck, it’s like Jesus Christ when he came to Jerusalem,” Sosa said. “Everybody thought Jesus Christ was a witch — and he was our savior. So if they talk [expletive] about Jesus Christ, what about me? Are you kidding me?”

The only “mistake” he admitted to was leaving the ballpark during that game in 2004, even though he said he received permission.

“I recognize my mistake, but I have my pride, and I know I had a tremendous career in Chicago,” he said in the Skype interview. “When nobody knew who Chicago was, I put Chicago on the map. If I could have done it again, I would have done it differently. The only thing we cannot do is turn back time.”

He said he’d welcome an invitation to the Cubs Convention or to conduct the seventh-inning stretch.

“But I’m not going to go up there and say, ‘I’m here, please bring me back and give me a chance,’ ’’ Sosa said. ‘‘No way. I’m not hungry. I have too much pride. They know where they can find me.”

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, who has repeatedly sidestepped or tabled the Sosa issue when asked during his family’s 7½ years of ownership, declined comment through a spokesman.

Thirteen months ago during an interview on WSCR-AM (670), Ricketts said that Sosa and some others tainted by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use “owe us a little bit of honesty.”

He lauded Sosa for his personality and talent, “but I just feel like there are certain things that over time should happen before players are welcomed back.’’

Theo Epstein brought in Manny Ramirez to work with young hitters for more than two years. And in 2015, he said he wouldn’t oppose a Sosa reunion if ownership wanted to make it happen.