Chicago Cubs All-Time Leaders in Home Runs
12. player. 9. Career Home Runs with Cubs: 179. First Base. 2004-2010. Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee was an important part of the Florida Marlins’ 2003 World Series championship team. Lee and Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series that year, a series that will forever be remembered for the “Bartman Game.” After Lee and the Marlins defeated the Cubs in heart-breaking fashion, the Cubs swung a trade for the big first baseman the following offseason.
The Cubs traded young first baseman Hee Seop Choi to the Marlins in exchange for Lee, who quickly became one of their best players. Lee hit .278/.356/.504 with 32 home runs in his first season with the Cubs but really exploded in his second year with the team.
in 2005, Lee had one of the best offensive seasons in the history of the franchise, hitting an incredible .335/.418/.662 with 46 home runs. Lee won the National League batting title that season and was also awarded the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove.
Lee suffered a broken wrist in 2006 in a first base collision with Rafael Furcal. He only played in 50 games for the Cubs that season with injury issues and was never quite the same kind of hitter again.
That being said, Lee continued to be a strong offensive player and elite defensive first baseman for the next few seasons before getting traded to the Atlanta Braves before the deadline in 2010.
Lee’s career with the Chicago Cubs featured a lot of “what if”, but he put up some impressive numbers that make him one of the most impressive offensive players in the history of the franchise.