Derrek Lee's Cubs Career

In my opinion, Derrek Lee has been more important to the Cubs than anyone else in the entire decade of the 2000s.  Lee, joining the team in 2004 after being part of the dreaded 2003 Marlins, would go on to be known as an undisputed clubhouse leader during his time with the Cubs.  His performance on and off the field was remarkable during his entire tenure.

In the 2003 NLCS Game 6, all Cub fans remember the Bartman ball.  Some remember the fact that manager Dusty Baker refused to take out Mark Prior in the 8th with a high pitch count and a slim lead.  Some remember Alex Gonzalez, the Cubs shortstop, booting a routine double play ball that would've ended the inning and the threat.  But few remember that, with the bases loaded with Marlins, it was Lee who lined a double to left field to tie the game at 3.  He was almost as important to them as he was with the Cubs.  Prior (no pun intended) to the 2004 season, Derrek Lee signed with the Cubs who had used a few different first basemen in 2003 and wanted some stability.  The 32 HR and 98 RBI he hit in his first year were certainly better than what had come from Hee Seop Choi, Eric Karros, and Randall Simon.  It wasn't good enough, however, as the pitching faltered near the end and the Cubs missed the playoffs when they should have won the Wild Card.  2005 was the best year of his career, when he challenged for the Triple Crown but ended up losing.  His .335 batting average topped the National League, but his 46 HR was second to Andruw Jones and his 107 RBI was well behind first.  He finished behind only Albert Pujols and Jones in the NL MVP voting.

In 2006, he was injured for the majority of the season which led Cub fans to believe that the season outcome would have been quite different if he was healthy.  The Cubs finished in last with 96 losses that season.  Lee was key in getting the Cubs back to the playoffs in 2007, getting MVP votes again although his power hadn't completely returned.  His 22 HR was somewhat disappointing, but he remained a big part of the offense and won his third Gold Glove, including his second with the Cubs.  In the playoffs, Lee went 4-for-12 as the Diamondbacks surprisingly swept away the Cubs in three games.  His role as a leader became even bigger as the Cubs were the class of the National League in 2008, winning 97 games and entering the playoffs with high hopes.  The Cubs were swept again, shocking the fan base, although Lee led the team with six hits in 12 at-bats.  He infamously slammed his bat and helmet after striking out in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.  When he did that, he spoke for the frustrations of the entire team although he himself was actually having a great series.  2009 saw the Cubs fall out of contention by August, but Lee put together one last season to remember.  After starting slow like usual, he caught fire in June and July and seemed to be homering every day for a stretch.  He batted .306 with 35 HR and 111 RBI and was ninth in MVP voting.  It was a struggle for Lee in 2010, but Cub fans supported him through it because of all he gave us.  The Cubs will likely not sign him in the offseason, but will live on as a great player in Chicago sports history.

The stats with the Cubs (2004-2010):
.298 AVG, 179 HR, 574 RBI, 1046 H, 51 SB
2 All-Star Games (2005, 2007)
2 Gold Gloves (2005, 2007)
1 Silver Slugger (2005)
2005 Batting Champion (.335)
2005 Doubles Champion (50)
2005 Slugging % Champion (.662)
2005 OPS Champion (1.080)
3x MVP Voting (2005; 3rd, 2007; 21st, 2009; 9th)