MLB The Show has allowed users to play as some of the greatest MLB legends, but Redditors want these iconic players added to the game.
PlayStation's MLB The Show's Diamond Dynasty mode has allowed players to compete as some of the greatest legends in MLB history. However, not every great player has been included in the game and Reddit users feel that there are several glaring omissions.
Users have expressed interest in a wide range of players from modern players like Derek Jeter to classic legends like Pete Rose. No matter who they want in the game, fans on Reddit have a lot of hope for future additions to the beloved game mode.
San Diego Studios have brought players in from as far back as the early 1900s. However, many recent retirees have been left out of the game's modes. When asked which player they would want in the game, user jose9925 said "Arod would be the one."
The legendary New York Yankee, Alex Rodriguez has been conspicuously absent from Diamond Dynasty since his retirement in 2017 and fans would love to see him. It is dubious however whether or not he will appear because of his involvement in a steroid scandal that tarnished his reputation in the eyes of many.
While some players have long and illustrious careers that span decades, some players arrive on the scene and make a big splash in a short span of time. User youg_j_r said of the hard-throwing pitcher Tim Lincecum, "Every time I get on the game I say I wish he was there."
Lincecum spent most of his short career with the San Francisco Giants, where he helped lead the team to several World Series victories. He has only been retired for a few years and it stands to reason that "The Freak" will eventually make his return to the MLB The Show rosters. Being able to play as lesser-known all-stars is one of the things that makes MLB The Show a great sports game franchise.
Some legends are so beloved that fans have been clamoring for their inclusion in the game for years. "Doc" Gooden is one of the most famous New York Mets in history and many fans put him at the top of their most wanted players list. User MattyParleau21 made it clear which player they wanted when they said "Doc for me."
Gooden is no doubt a glaring omission from the Diamond Dynasty roster and there is no incentive for San Diego Studios to keep him out of the game. Because Gooden's reputation as a player is spotless it seems that the only thing keeping him out of the game is a negotiation of likeness rights. Exclusions of legends is certainly something that could be improved in MLB The Show.
Sometimes a player's legacy can be sealed in the event of their untimely deaths. Though in retirement, Roy Halladay's sudden passing lead a lot of users to remember the hard-throwing right-hander with major fondness. User mheinken stated "Roy and its not particularly close for me but I am a Jays fan."
Even with the favoritism of a sports team aside, there is no doubt that many players clamor for Roy Halladay to appear in the game. Halladay's legacy as an amazing pitcher is without question and many players hope that his likeness can be negotiated by San Diego Studios in the near future.
Occasionally, players can stay in the league for a long time and as their play decreases, so too does their reputation. However, once these players retire they are usually remembered in a sentimental manner, especially if they played on championship teams. User featuringmatt83 said "Need Manny...absolutely need (David) Ortiz and Manny as 3/4 in my lineup."
Manny Ramirez was most famous for his time as a Boston Red Sox outfielder and many players would love to reassemble the championship teams of that era. While other legends like David Ortiz are included in the game, Manny Ramirez's inclusion is dubious at best because of his involvement in a steroid scandal that forever changed his career.
Sports figures can often be larger than life, and in the case of Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson he actually was. The nearly seven-foot-tall pitcher had a legendary career with multiple teams and he is a frequent inclusion on many people's most-wanted lists. User Chaeferrr said of Johnson "Everyone wants Randy Johnson until you have to face him."
The user's comment is a testament to just how great of a player Johnson was and even the risk of the challenge isn't enough to dissuade people from wanting him in the game. Though Johnson has never been included in Diamond Dynasty, there is still a possibility that he could one day be added to the rosters.
The long-time Seattle Mariner made a name for himself as one of the most versatile players in the league. His flexibility and towering reputation as one of the greatest of all time has led many players to hope for Ichiro's inclusion in the game. User youplayed said "Ichiro. He'd have 125s on contact from both side, 99 speed and stealing, a solid glove and arm in right field, but no power."
Though the user's estimation of Ichiro's ratings is up for debate, there is little doubt from anyone that he would be a valuable asset to any Diamond Dynasty roster. Fortunately for fans of Ichiro, he has appeared in many of the best previous iterations of the game and it seems likely that he will return in future installments.
Major League Baseball is no stranger to scandal and one of the biggest has kept Pete Rose out of the league's good graces for decades. Despite this, many users have clambered for a Pete Rose card in the game and he is frequently requested. User GooGooJones said "The greatest baseball player ever. Pete Rose."
Though the moniker of "Greatest Ever" is subjective, there is no doubting the impact that Rose had as a player. His decades-long career saw him secure the most base hits of any player in League history and he set the bar so high that it is unlikely to ever be broken. However, Rose was involved with a betting scandal that got him forever barred from the MLB's Hall of Fame and it is unlikely that he would be allowed in the game.
The 1990s was an explosive time for the MLB and one of its biggest power hitters was the San Francisco Giant, Barry Bonds. In a video game setting, many players have dreamed of being able to harness the tremendous power of Bonds for their teams. An unknown user said "Bonds always. Left hand bat, huge power, rocket arm, outfield positions. Would be beautiful."
Though Bonds would indeed be a highly rated player in batting and fielding, it is unlikely that he will ever appear in the games. Bond's career was tarnished by his involvement in a steroid scandal that called many of his feats into question. Despite this, many fans still wish to one day see the power slugger in the game.
The beloved New York Yankee hung up his cleats and retired in 2014. Since then he has been inducted into the Hall of Fame and has worked at an executive level in the MLB. Though he hasn't been gone from the league for long, many players dream of once again playing as their favorite star from the '00s. User BeauSack said, "Soooo, when we going to be getting that Derek Jeter card now that he's in the HOF?"
Unfortunately for that user and many others, Jeter was not added to the 2021 iteration of The Show and they are left hoping for his inclusion next year. Jeter's career was immaculate and he helped lead several championship teams to victory. Because of his sainted reputation in baseball circles, it seems only a matter of time before he returns to The Show.
