One of the best parts of the build-up toward the release of the newest version of MLB The Show is the unveiling of new legends. Sony San Diego Studios usually plays up the unveiling during their Twitch live streams that introduce the different aspects of the upcoming game.
While most fans will be focused on the new additions to Diamond Dynasty, especially with the removal of Sets and Seasons, as well as what we hope to see in the way of improvements in Road to the Show and Franchise, the new legends will arguably make the biggest splash.
Here are 50 prominent legends who are eligible to be added to the game. Don’t take this as a ranking of best to worst, or as a breakdown of the legends who will be included.
Instead, this is a look at 50 legends who have either been in the game before and fallen off the roster or former All-Stars who would be making their debut in the game.
Barry Bonds
In my humble opinion, the greatest hitter that ever played the game and one of the best all-around players. Bonds is the all-time home run leader, and it’s time to let him in the game and the Hall of Fame. I’m torn between 2001 and 2002 Bonds when it comes to the year I most want to see represented in MLB The Show.
Ichiro Suzuki
The Japanese pioneer paved the way for Shohei Ohtani and other Japanese superstars in the majors. Ichiro is a ten-time All-Star, MVP, and ten-time Gold Glove winner. He’d also be my choice for the cover of the Legends Edition.
Roger Clemens
The greatest pitcher of the 1980s and 1990s should be in the game. He’s a wild and prideful guy, but the same could be said for a lot of the people already in the game and the Hall of Fame. Clemens won an insane seven Cy Young Awards. Come on, now. What are we doing?
Curt Schilling
Schilling won three World Series and was one of the best pitchers of his era. Many despise him since he hung up his spikes, but I’d like to play baseball in a video game with the character. I don’t need to have him over for dinner.
Manny Ramirez
One of the most feared right-handed hitters in the past 50 years. He’s a multiple-time All-Star and hitting machine. Manny would produce some fun cards.
Alex Rodriguez
Besides Bonds and Clemens, ARod is probably the best player not included in the game. He’s a 14-time All-Star and one of the best ever. If Ichiro isn’t the Legends Edition cover athlete, I’d love for it to be ARod.
Jose Canseco
He was one of my favorite players back in the day. A former MVP and the first-ever 40-40 guy in the majors. The player model and the swing might be mounds of fun in MLB The Show.
Shoeless Joe Jackson
The Black Sox scandal has banned him from the Hall of Fame, and it’s been so long, he may not make it in because there may not be enough people who care that he’s not in the Hall of Fame or the video game. Jackson is still one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Dwight Gooden
Doc was another one of my favorite players and he could be a meta pitcher in MLB The Show. His early-20s run was about as dominant as you’ll ever see from a young pitcher.
Darryl Strawberry
The Straw was an eight-time All-Star and, like Ken Griffey Jr., there was something cool about watching him play baseball.
Kenny Lofton
I’m one of those guys who loves to build ultra-fast speed and defense lineups in Diamond Dynasty. I’d love to get hold of a prime Lofton card to patrol center field.
Bo Jackson
The greatest pure athlete to ever play baseball. We never got a chance to see him hit his full potential in the sport because of injury and football, but this card would be so fun to play with in Diamond Dynasty.
David Cone
Yes, he is a five-time All-Star and 1994 AL Cy Young Award winner who threw an 88-pitch perfect game, but in MLB The Show, Cone might have the funkiest pitch mix ever. I’d love to see it.
Orel Hershiser
He wasn’t the hardest thrower, but in the late 1980s, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. He won the 1988 NL Cy Young Award winner.
Dave Parker
Parker was huge, fast, powerful, intimidating, and he might have had the strongest throwing arm in major league history. We need all of this in the game.
Steve Garvey
For some reason, I hit great with short and stocky guys. Garvey fits the build, and he should have solid contact ratings.
Lou Whitaker
It’s time for The Show to add the other half of the 1980s Detroit Tigers’ famed double-play duo. Whitaker is a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner.
Jack Morris
Trader Jack is another pitcher who could have a tricky pitch mix with limited velocity. He’s a five-time All-Star and 1991 World Series MVP.
Dale Murphy
One of the most snubbed legends in baseball history. How can a guy win back-to-back league MVPs, two HR titles, five Gold Gloves, and make seven All-Star teams and not be in the Hall of Fame? Can we at least get him in MLB The Show 25?
Fred McGriff
McGriff was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023 and has 493 career home runs. He could be an excellent bench bat to face right-handers in your Diamond Dynasty lineup.
Jeff Kent
There aren’t a ton of great second basemen to choose from in MLB The Show—especially power-hitting options. Kent is the 2000 NL MVP and topped 20 home runs 12 times in his 19 MLB seasons.
Robin Ventura
I can imagine raking with Ventura in MLB The Show, especially against right-handed pitching. Because of his 18 career grand slams, he should have a pretty high clutch rating, and that’s not counting his infamous Grand Slam single in 1999.
Mark Teixeira
Most of the great New York Yankees from the 1990s dynasty were in the game last year, but not Teixeira. He is a three-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner.
Carlos Beltrán
It’s a shame the Houston Astros situation as a manager has clouded what was an outstanding playing career. Beltrán was a nine-time All-Star.
Magglio Ordóñez
One of the most underrated Chicago White Sox players of all time. Maggs could flat-out hit, and he wasn’t a bad fielder. He is a six-time All-Star who would be a sneaky good addition to the game.
Aramis Ramírez
A highly underrated member of the Chicago Cubs from the mid-2000s to early 2010s. He is a three-time All-Star.
Tim Lincecum
Many believe Lincecum retired early, but injuries took a toll. Before he walked away, Lincecum won two NL Cy Young Awards. He might be unhittable at some points in the game.
Adrián González
After being on the cover of MLB The Show 12, González was not included shortly after he retired. He returned for MLB The Show 23, but was not in MLB The Show 24.
Hanley Ramírez
He had a short prime, but from 2007–2010, Ramírez was one of the best players in baseball. He is a three-time All-Star.
José Reyes
Reyes was a speed merchant who led the majors in steals three times, triples four times, and won a batting title. He is a four-time All-Star who would be an excellent legend to bring back to MLB The Show.
Troy Tulowitzki
Before injuries took a toll on him, Tulowitzki looked like he was on his way to a Hall of Fame-caliber career. He didn’t get much production after the age of 30 but made five All-Star teams.
Dan Uggla
Highly underrated during his prime, Uggla could mash. He is a three-time All-Star who averaged just under 29 home runs per season in his first eight years in the majors.
Brian McCann
McCann is often forgotten when we discuss some of the best catchers of the 2010s. From 2006–2013, he was about as consistent as they come at his position. He is a seven-time All-Star.
Russell Martin
Bring us all the great catchers from the past, and Martin is one of them. He is a four-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner.
Victor Martinez
We love switch hitters in MLB The Show, and we love them even more when they can play catcher. Martínez is a five-time All-Star.
Josh Hamilton
Despite everything that befell Hamilton, he still managed to make five All-Star games and win the 2010 AL MVP. I’d love to see Hamilton’s accomplishments on the field acknowledged.
Shane Victorino
Victorino was in MLB The Show 23, but not MLB The Show 24. He is a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner.
Hunter Pence
Four-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion.
Carl Crawford
Four-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner.
Albert Belle
Belle was one of the most feared hitters of his era. He had multiple legal issues, but if this is an amnesty year, he would be a great addition to the game and the Hall of Fame.
Buster Posey
Simply put, Posey is the greatest catcher of his era. It seems like a matter of time before he’s added to the game.
Mark Buehrle
Buehrle is arguably the greatest pitcher in Chicago White Sox history and one of the best of the 2000s.
Mark Grace
As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, there has never been a hitter I trusted more in clutch situations. Grace is one of the most underrated pure hitters of his era. He’s a three-time All-Star and lifetime .303 hitter.
Jake Peavy
Despite being included in MLB The Show 23, Peavy was not used in MLB The Show 24. Hopefully, he comes back in 25.
Dave Winfield
Winny was an excellent athlete standing 6-foot-6. He is a 12-time All-Star who went into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
Jose Fernandez
Before he tragically passed away in a boating accident, Fernandez looked to be on his way to a fantastic career. It would be great to see Sony pay tribute to him, similar to the way they have with Roy Halladay.
Francisco Rodríguez (K-Rod)
K-Rod was a strikeout machine early in his career. He made it to six All-Star games, and he was the 2008 saves leader.
Jonathan Papelbon
For one stretch, Papelbon was one of the majors’ most dominant closers. He’s a six-time All-Star and 2007 World Series champion.
Brad Lidge
Need another flamethrowing reliever? Lidge might be your guy if he’s added to the game. He is a two-time All-Star and 2008 World Series champion.
Huston Street
Street was in for MLB The Show 23 but not for the following year. He is a two-time All-Star and 2005 AL Rookie of the Year.
James ‘Cool Papa’ Bell
It was once said Bell was so fast, he could turn off the light and be in bed before the room got dark. Bell’s stolen base and on-base percentage numbers would make him my kind of player in Diamond Dynasty.
Oscar Charleston
In many historians’ eyes, Charleston’s game was comparable to Willie Mays because of how well-rounded he was as a player. A top-tier Charleston card could have excellent fielding, speed, contact, power, and arm-strength ratings.
Smokey Joe Williams
The Negro League pitchers like Satchel Paige have made a splash in Diamond Dynasty. Williams might be the next addition to that roster.
Turkey Stearnes
The one thing that has been missing with many of the Negro League additions is a pure power hitter. I don’t think we got enough formidable Josh Gibson cards. Perhaps that will change with Turkey Stearnes.
Roy Campanella
Campanella is the greatest catcher not already included in MLB The Show. Hopefully, this is the year he is added.
As many as I’ve shared here, there are more. Who did I leave out? Let me know in the comments. The official release date for MLB The Show 25 hasn’t been released, but keep an eye on the third week in March, more specifically March 22 as a possibility.
