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Cubbies Crib

Chicago Cubs: Remembering two fan favorites from the late 2000 teams

By Daniel Shepard

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Fans of the Chicago Cubs take photos during batting practice in the right field bleachers before the opening day game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on April 5, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Fans of the Chicago Cubs take photos during batting practice in the right field bleachers before the opening day game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on April 5, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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MESA, AZ – MARCH 04: Derrek Lee #25 of the Chicago Cubs high-fives teammate Aramis Ramirez #16 after Lee hit a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the MLB spring training game at HoHoKam Park on March 4, 2009 in Mesa, Arizona (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ – MARCH 04: Derrek Lee #25 of the Chicago Cubs high-fives teammate Aramis Ramirez #16 after Lee hit a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the MLB spring training game at HoHoKam Park on March 4, 2009 in Mesa, Arizona (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs had a good one in their big first baseman

Perhaps my favorite Cubs player during my childhood was Derrek Lee. Let’s face it Cubs fans; he was Anthony Rizzo before Anthony Rizzo. Lee even started his big-league career with the Padres like Rizzo.

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Beginning in 2004 and ending 109 games into 2010, Lee was a member of the Cubs, and dare I say a pretty good one. In the six full seasons that Lee spent with the club, the 6’5″ first baseman slashed .304/.384/.539. Along with that, Lee averaged 27 home runs per season and an OPS+ of 133.

As a Cub, Lee racked up two Gold Glove awards, two All-Star Game appearances, a Sliver Slugger and finished in the top 10 in National League MVP voting twice.

Perhaps my favorite memory of Derrek Lee was a summer’s day in 2008. It was my tenth birthday and my parents and I had taken a vacation to Atlanta. What I thought was a trip to visit the Coca Cola factory ended up being a trip to the ballpark. That ballpark was of course Turner Field and the game was Cubs-Braves.

As mentioned above, I grew up watching the Braves on TV so I had an idea of what Turner Field looked like. Still, to see it in person and to see the players; most notably Derrek Lee, is a memory I will never forget.

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