MLB The Show Players Who Never Got A Better Card

Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. is one of the greatest shortstops of all-time, so it only makes sense he should have been one of the best shortstops in MLB The Show 23, right? Well that's what common sense would probably tell you. Ripken may not be the most popular shortstop used by players in past games, but he never got a chance in MLB The Show 23 because SDS never gave him a good card.

Ripken got a 99 overall, but it was a pretty underwhelming card. He had 113/116 contact vs lefties and righties, along with 101/96 power, 122 vision, and 111 clutch. Those are good hitting stats, but this was his 2001 All-Star card and when he moved over to third base. You'd get a massive fielding bump if you tried to play this card at shortstop. He may have had 90 arm strength and 86 reaction, but only 82 fielding. Playing him in his secondary position bumps his fielding into the silver range until you get him to parallel III. Plus, with only 46 speed, his range up the middle would be extremely limited.

SDS did not give Cal Ripken Jr. a primary shortstop 99 overall card. It seems kind of outrageous that never happened given he is one of the best shortstops of all-time. They could have given him an Awards series card for his 1983 MVP season, his 1991 MVP season, or his 1981 Rookie of the Year campaign. They could have also given him a Milestone card for 2632 consecutive games played. Heck, they could have given him an Incognito series card for his nickname "Iron Man." Players used his 95 overall Captain series card more often because of the boost it gave.