3 Mariners legends fans desperately want to see in MLB The Show

For baseball fans, the start of the regular season signals more than just the return of America’s pastime. It represents a fresh start for their favorite team, the first real taste of summer, and the return of trademark sounds, the organ music, the crack of the bat, the snap of a catcher’s mitt.

And for many, it also marks the highly anticipated release of MLB The Show, the premier baseball simulation that lets fans step into the cleats of their favorite players and rewrite virtual history on the diamond.

For those who pre-ordered MLB The Show 25, early access began on Friday, March 14, giving them a head start on the latest gameplay. The full release arrives on March 18, when all players can dive into MLB The Show, building virtual dynasties and living out the dreams of their favorite franchises.

Of course, not every fanbase is thrilled about upcoming challenges this year (looking at you, Los Angeles Dodgers), but regardless of team loyalty, MLB The Show continues to attract fans with its ability to bring both present-day stars and all-time greats back to life.

For Seattle Mariners fans, that means the return of legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, and "The Big Unit" Randy Johnson. However, despite the growing list of historic players included in the game, three Mariners icons are still missing. While their absence is likely due to licensing issues, their exclusion remains a glaring omission.

Who are these long-awaited stars that deserve their rightful place in MLB The Show? Let’s take a look.

Ichiro Suzuki

With his recent induction into the Hall of Fame, 2025 would have been the perfect edition to bring Ichiro back into MLB The Show as a playable legend. Although he retired in 2019 and has been absent from the game for only a few years, his prime years haven't been featured in the game since 2011.

Adding Ichiro now would have given longtime Mariners fans a chance to relive his electrifying peak while introducing a new generation of gamers to his unique skill set. His unmatched contact ability — highlighted by his record-breaking 262-hit season in 2004 — combined with blazing speed on the base paths, exceptional fielding, and an absolute cannon of an arm from right field made him one of the most dynamic players of his era. Few players in baseball history could turn a routine infield grounder into a single the way Ichiro could, and his aura was downright mesmerizing.

Bringing Ichiro back into the game would be a dream come true for Mariners fans, who have been waiting far too long to play with their legendary leadoff hitter once again.

Félix Hernández

Few pitchers in Mariners history, or baseball history, command the level of reverence that "King Félix" does. His absence from MLB The Show since 2019 has left a void, especially for fans who fondly remember the electric atmosphere of "King’s Court" at T-Mobile Park.

Between 2009 and 2015, Hernández was a mainstay in the Cy Young conversation, winning the award in 2010 despite a modest 13-12 record. That year, he posted a dominant 2.27 ERA across 249 innings, with six complete games, one shutout, and 232 strikeouts. King Félix’s ability to thrive on a Mariners team that often failed to provide run support made his dominance even more impressive, so much so that the phrase “King’s Treatment” was coined to describe his uncanny ability to deliver a pitching masterclass in heartbreakingly close games.

While the Mariners’ current rotation boasts its own stars, there’s nothing quite like rewatching King Félix mow down batters with his dominant fastball/changeup combination. Adding him back to MLB The Show would allow fans to relive some of the best pitching performances in franchise history.

Jay Buhner

Buhner hasn’t been featured in MLB The Show since he retired in 2001. For many Mariners fans, that’s a crime that needs to be corrected. A staple of Seattle’s 1995 and 1996 playoff runs, Buhner was as clutch as they came. He was a power-hitting force in the middle of the lineup and a fan favorite for his fun-loving personality paired with a no-nonsense approach to the game.

From 1995 to 1997, Buhner put together three straight seasons of 40-plus home runs, including a 138-RBI campaign in 1996. That same year, he earned his lone All-Star selection and won a Gold Glove, proving he was more than just a slugger. His defensive ability, paired with his clutch hitting made him a vital part of those legendary Mariners teams.

Beyond the stats, Buhner’s connection with Seattle fans made him an icon. MLB The Show prides itself on bringing baseball’s greats back to life, and few players in Mariners history embodied the grit and energy of the 1990s like "Bone." His inclusion would not only add another feared power bat to the game but also give fans a chance to relive one of the most exciting eras in Mariners baseball.

Will They Ever Make the Cut?

To its credit, MLB The Show has done an excellent job incorporating legends into the game, and it's likely more will be added throughout the season. The exclusion of Ichiro, Hernández, and Buhner isn’t necessarily permanent, but their absence at launch is a noticeable omission.

Of course, this isn’t meant to overshadow the Mariners legends already included. Griffey, Martínez, and the Big Unit rightfully hold their places among baseball’s immortals. But Seattle’s history is rich with talent, and at least the three players above deserve their spot.

With post-launch updates and potential new legend additions down the line, there’s still hope that fans might see one of these three added later this season. Until then, Mariners fans will have to keep dreaming, and maybe keep pestering the MLB The Show people on X (formerly Twitter) to make it happen.