3 Cubs legends that must be featured in MLB The Show 22

Baseball may be in dire straits right now, but there’s still one way to get your Chicago Cubs fix. Yes, it’s that time of year again when MLB The Show releases its annual baseball title and this year’s release will reach more players than ever. With PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch owners all able to get in on the simulation baseball action in The Show 22, now’s the best time to jump aboard.

With every new title comes a slew of new legends to add to your Diamond Dynasty squad. The Cubs are represented well with Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, Kerry Wood, and more appearing in the previous entry, but there are plenty of incredible players throughout history that could make the cut. I looked at possible new Cubs legends in 2019 when new card types were added, but it’s time we take another look at candidates to join The Show.

As a small caveat, I want to limit myself to legends I didn’t mention last time. Yes, Sammy Sosa and Ron Santo absolutely deserve to be in the game, but I’d rather not risk sounding like a broken record. Special mention to Andre Dawson, as well, whom Sony San Diego lost the rights for. Let’s look at some new Cubs legends to join the game.

1. Derrek Lee can bring the power to the Cubs legend roster

In the context of MLB The Show, Derrek Lee is a bit of a controversial pick. Recent entries have had no shortage of excellent first baseman cards (including a nice signature series card for Anthony Rizzo), but if we’re talking 2000s Cubs, there’s hardly a better choice than D-Lee.

Lee was an absolute monster from the moment he came to Chicago, bringing devastating offense to the team in the midst of its competitive window. In his six full seasons with the team, he mashed for a .304/.384/.539 line, good for a 133 OPS+. However, those numbers pale to his should’ve been MVP season in which he led the league in hits, doubles, average, SLG, OPS, OPS+, and total bases while also winning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at first.

It’s pretty obvious the type of card Lee would get. As cool as a signature series card that consolidates his entire career into a really solid card, my vote is for a 2005 Silver Slugger card. In an effort to give him the best stats possible and memorialize Lee at his peak, this would be a card that balances contact, power, and fielding in equal measures while just being fun to use in general.

It’s a perfect time to add Lee into the game too. With Prince Fielder joining the game recently and Albert Pujols still in the league, adding Lee completes the NL Central 2000s first baseman trifecta. With Mark Prior and Wood already in the game along with Alfonso Soriano, Lee would also represent a perfect cap to that era of Cubs baseball, though bringing in Aramis Ramirez and Sosa wouldn’t hurt either.