Sammy Sosa continues to deny using PEDs

Sammy Sosa maintains that he never used performance-enhancing drugs during his 18-year MLB career.

In an interview with ESPN's Jeremy Schaap that will air Sunday on "E:60," the former National League MVP said, "I never had a test positive in this country."

A 2009 New York Times report indicated that Sosa tested positive in 2003, before MLB introduced penalties for steroid use.

"I never missed any test at the major-league level," Sosa said.

While his home-run rival Mark McGwire has since admitted to steroid use, Sosa insists he played clean.

"To be clear," Sosa said, "I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs. I have never injected myself or had anyone inject me with anything."

Sosa hit 609 home runs in 18 seasons, 545 of them as a member of the Chicago Cubs, and was a seven-time All-Star. He finished his pro career ninth on the all-time homer list.

However, the shadow of PED use - positive test or not - has likely dashed his Hall of Fame chances. He received only 7.8 percent of votes this year, his sixth of a possible 10 on the ballot.