LA Angels: 4 Halos legends fans want to see in MLB The Show 21

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Jim Fregosi, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

With the beginning of the Major League Baseball season comes another tradition that many fans also like to take part in, the release of the annual MLB The Show video game. This year is no different, as game developer San Diego Studios is doing it’s part to bring the game to a broader audience as the ’21 rendition will be released on the Xbox game console after being exclusive to PlayStation since the game’s inception in 2006. The Jackie Robinson Edition of the game was released on April 16, while the standard edition will be released April 20.

While there have been a number of MLB licensed video games over the years which have included those created by EA Sports and 2K Sports, after MLB 2K13, The Show has been the exclusive platform for gamers who enjoy playing ‘America’s Pastime’. Over the years RBI Baseball has given fans another outlet to enjoy the sport virtually, The Show still sits at top when it comes to MLB Licensed games in the industry.

While also being introduced to Xbox, the game will also feature cross-platform, meaning anyone who holds either console will be able to play another player no matter what system it is on. Of course many of the modes that have made the series so popular will return; such as Franchise, Road to the Show, and March to October (a new play on season mode).

Out of all the game modes Diamond Dynasty remains one of the most popular. Its own spin to Madden’s MUT or FIFA’s FUT, Diamond Dynasty is an online mode which allows players to build their own team by unlocking or purchasing player cards enabling them to face other players. Over the years the mode has expanded to feature challenges in order to make unlocking new players easier.

Players of course include current MLB Superstars in the league, from your perennial MVP candidates, all the way to your favorite team’s utility player with minor league options and as recently as last year many top prospects waiting for their chance at the big leagues. The Show will also provide bonus cards of current players, typically celebrating an award winning season such as an MVP, Cy Young, or Rookie of the Year. While using all the current players is great, many fans enjoy getting the opportunity to unlock legends of yesteryear in the game.

Over the years The Show has added many former players. Legends such as Babe Ruth, Ken Griffey Jr, and Bob Gibson have graced the game, which honestly is a great way to give fans the opportunity to learn more about the sports history. Each year The Show will present a handful of new players that can be used in many of the modes throughout, most importantly Diamond Dynasty. Pedro Martinez (reintroduction after retiring in 2009) and Hank Aaron are included in those making their debuts this year.

The Angels have been well represented over the years in the game as well. Angels legends that have been introduced include Garret Anderson, Troy Percival, Nolan Ryan, and Jim Edmonds. Last year Tim Salmon’s card made its debut and Darin Erstad was introduced in the 2018 edition though his character has not been back since that year. Vladimir Guerrero has also been a playable character over the past handful of years, and while he is mostly known as an Expos legend, you can unlock a Big Vlad card from his great 2004 MVP season with the Angels in Diamond Dynasty as well.

This year The Show dropped a handful of new legends to join that pool of players. Along with the aforementioned Martinez and Aaron, Angels great Frank Tanana is also making his debut in the game. For you Angel fans that love the mode, look to unlock the great left-handers card as you begin getting into this years installment. While Diamond Dynasty is a fun mode in its own right, being able to use the legends and add them to any roster you would like brings another exciting dynamic for long time fans of the game of baseball. As a long time Angels fan being able to follow up Mike Trout in the lineup with Vladdy and Garret Anderson in franchise mode is always something I look forward to.

That got me thinking with all the new cards that are dropped every year in the game, who are some of the Angel greats that would be fun to see in The Show moving forward? I’ll talk about four Halos legends who could rightfully be brought into the game in the future. And before I get started, in the very slim chance of anyone from San Diego Studios reads this, please bring Darin Erstad back, okay? Thanks a bunch!

Troy Glaus, Los Angeles Angels (Harry How / Allsport) /

Troy Glaus – 2000 Silver Slugger

MLB The Show has a tendency to reflect the real life version of the sport, mostly with home run power being the sexy part of baseball. When filling out your lineup, having a third baseman that once led the league in homers for a season would make your team that much more effective. Troy Glaus fits that bill as his 23-year old season back in 2000 gave him the home run crown in the American League.

Angels: Do not forget the great season Troy Glaus had in 2000

His league leading 47 homers from that year is still the most ever hit by an Angels player in one season. Most fans remember Mike Trout’s 2019 where he hit 45 and likely would have surpassed Glaus on the teams list had he not lost most of his September to injuries.

Along with being a big power hitter, Glaus was also a former shortstop who moved to third once he turned pro, making him a solid defender for his size. This card would all around be a very nice fit in the lineup while providing the defense at third.

Whether celebrating his first All-Star appearance or his first Silver Slugger, Glaus would be a fantastic addition to The Show.

Jim Fregosi, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

Jim Fregosi – 1967 Gold Glove

The game also holds some of the sports original superstars, going as far back as players such as Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, and Rogers Hornsby. With so many original stars in the game, having one of the ‘OG’ Angels would be a nice touch for die hard fans. Jim Fregosi is well known as the team’s first superstar and is one of the all-time greats.

Jim Fregosi will forever be loved by the Angels fanbase.

While adding him into the game could be easy as he was a six-time All-Star, his 1967 season was one of his finest while also winning his only Gold Glove. Defensive ratings are harder to play through in the game, the late Fregosi was no slouch with the bat that season either slashing .290/.349/.395 and compiling 171 hits in 590 at-bats.

With so many early century legends in the game, adding Fregosi into the game would be a nice reflection of baseball’s history.

Jared Weaver, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Matt Brown/Angels Baseball LP/Getty Images) /

Jered Weaver – 2011 All-Star

Along with the aforementioned Fregosi, adding a Dean Chance Cy Young card would be a nice piece of baseball history. Similarly everybody would be happy to see a Cy Young card mark the return of Bartolo Colon to The Show series as everybody could use more Big Sexy in their lives. However when looking at just how dominant Jered Weaver was back in 2011, his finest season was one of the best in franchise history.

Few Angels pitchers have been as dominant as Jered Weaver in 2011.

While the former Angels ace was no one-hit wonder, as his 2012 was arguable better (20-wins and a no-hitter), 2011 was when Weaver proved himself as one of the best hurlers in the game. Winning 18-games to go along with a 2.41 ERA, the obvious would be for this All-Star card to be presented as Weaver did in fact get the star for the American League in that season’s Mid-Summer Classic.

While most fans know about his decline due to the drop in velocity, Weaver was still slinging low-90s fastballs even at his most dominant. It would likely be a hard card to get comfortable with, being successful online by throwing low-90s junk would likely get a lot of ‘rage quits’ against players online.

Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Francisco Rodriguez – 2008 All-Star

Similar to the real sport, it is important to have effective relievers coming out of your bullpen in MLB The Show. While fans enjoy having guys like Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman coming out of the ‘pen, few could match the nastiness of Francisco Rodriguez.

Angels: Francisco Rodriguez is one of MLB’s most dominant relievers.

K-Rod could likely have two cards available for Diamond Dynasty as his legendary debut in the 2002 Postseason would be a greatly effective card. Throwing high-90s gas along with his wipeout-slider from his rookie season would be tough for players trying to time their hitting. However the card I will focus on in his incredible 2008 season.

Rodriguez still owns the Major League record for most saves in a season with 62 back in the 2008 campaign. Ditching his slider for a sharp-breaking curveball and adding a devastating changeup to his arsenal, K-Rod was almost automatic the entire year, pitching a 2.24 ERA along with 10.1 K/9. When facing players online it is important to pitch tough, using K-Rods repertoire will be great to frustrate the player on the other end.

3 most successful pitchers against Mike Trout. Next

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As a fan, more Angels representation in The Show series is always better for me. Getting the opportunity to mix in some of the all-time franchise greats with the current team is enjoyable as a Halos and baseball fanatic.

Hopefully as the year progresses we will see more players added.

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