Derrek Lee on Losing MVP to Pujols, Maddux’s Pranks & How Dusty Changed Everything

October 14, 2026 Geoff Allen

Two-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glover, 2003 World Series champ, 2005 NL batting champ, and Cubs Hall of Famer Derrek Lee joins All the Smoke Dugout. Sacramento’s own breaks down why Dusty Baker changed his career, why he believes the 2005 MVP should’ve been his over Albert Pujols, growing up in Japan, Greg Maddux’s legendary clubhouse antics, what players knew during the steroid era, and why the ’08 Cubs still bother him today.

0:00 Intro & Cubs Hall of Fame induction
2:09 Turning down Dean Smith & UNC
3:07 The decline of Black players in MLB
4:04 Growing up in Japan
6:37 Padres rookie year with Tony Gwynn & Rickey Henderson
10:14 Marlins fire sale, Sheffield & Miami nights
17:34 Young Miguel Cabrera & winning the 2003 World Series
19:11 Traded to the Cubs, Maddux pranks & Zambrano
22:26 His 2005 season & the MVP he says he should’ve won
25:49 Inside the steroid era
27:00 The ’08 Cubs sweep & analytics
29:17 Quick hitters
31:17 End

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Read More [[{“value”:”Two-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glover, 2003 World Series champ, 2005 NL batting champ, and Cubs Hall of Famer Derrek Lee joins All the Smoke Dugout. Sacramento’s own breaks down why Dusty Baker changed his career, why he believes the 2005 MVP should’ve been his over Albert Pujols, growing up in Japan, Greg Maddux’s legendary clubhouse antics, what players knew during the steroid era, and why the ’08 Cubs still bother him today.