Of all the enticing features in the MLB® The Show™ video games, my favorite is the option to play as legends from the sport’s storied past. In head-to-head matchups, gamers can play as teams loaded with all-time greats from various eras.

The “Long Ball Beasts” roster, for example, features mid-90s All-Stars like Greg Maddux, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas. If you choose the “Expansion Era Boomers,” you can go into battle with icons from the 70s and 80s like Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, and Robin Yount.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with the “Mid-Century Groundbreakers,” a club that includes some of the most influential players from the 20th century. Every time that I play as this team, I vary my lineup to determine the optimal configuration.

Wanna beat the competition every time you pick this squad in Play Now mode?

Here is, in my opinion, the best lineup in terms of both entertainment value and competitive advantage.

1.) Jackie Robinson, 2B

If you’re looking for a leadoff hitter that can cause disruption on the bases, look no further than the man who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier back in 1947.

Robinson’s blazing speed allows him to leg out infield singles and force infielders to make errant throws. He’s also an elite base stealer, so he’s the guy you want on first when you’re down by a run and need to move a runner into scoring position.

Another advantage of having Robinson at the top of the lineup is that his bunting skills are unmatched. If you’re having trouble igniting a rally on offense, ask Jackie to lay down a bunt and beat the throw to first to get something started.

By the way, the game is in no way exaggerating Robinson’s speed: he stole home a whopping 19 times in his major league career!

2.) Ty Cobb, LF

The most difficult part of putting together this list was choosing who to put in the outfield. I hate excluding Ted Williams (aka “The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived”), but the aesthetic qualities of Ty Cobb’s batting stance make him impossible to leave out.

Cobb famously kept his hands inches apart on the bat, something no hitter in recent years has tried to imitate. This quirk makes Cobb’s at-bats all the more entertaining; every time he slugs an extra-base hit you wonder how he can succeed with such an unconventional setup at the plate.

He’s also a speedster (speed rating: 98, stealing rating: 99) who will make contact no matter where the pitch is thrown.

3.) Mickey Mantle, RF

For those who witnessed him play, Mickey Mantle will always be a sentimental favorite. Though his career took place well before I was born, I’ve heard enough tales of “the Mick” to understand why he’s such a beloved character in the annals of the sport.

As Bob Costas expressed in his eulogy for Mantle, “There was a greatness about him, but vulnerability too…We tried to crease our caps like him; keel in an imaginary on-deck circle like him, run like him: heads down, elbows up.”

When it comes to his role in MLB® The Show™, Mantle slots perfectly into the middle of the order. That’s because, just as he did in real life, he provides power from both sides of the plate and can handle left-handed and right-handed pitching equally well.

Personally, I love the game’s depiction of Mantle because of how accurately it recreates the running style that Costas described. When Mantle crushes a home run in this game, his humble jog around the bases reminds us of that signature style that won over fans of all ages.

4.) Babe Ruth, P

Starting Babe Ruth on the mound negates the need for a designated hitter.

Yep, that’s right.

You can have Ruth as your starting pitcher and dominate opposing lineups with your left-handed filthiness while also hitting bombs with him in the same game.

I mean, you could treat the Babe like he’s any other pitcher and hit him ninth in the lineup, but why not maximize run-scoring opportunities by placing him in the cleanup spot?

And if you really wanna have some fun, put the Mid-Century Groundbreakers up against the Angels to see whether Ruth or Shohei Ohtani is the superior two-way player.

5.) Willie Mays, CF

Willie Mays could do it all on the ballfield, as can his digital representation. Like a lot of traditionalists, I believe in constructing a team that plays strong defense up the middle. Before Mike Trout came along, Mays was the obvious answer to the question “Who is the greatest center fielder in baseball history?”

Placing Mays in center will automatically make your team better defensively, and his bat (the one that produced a lifetime .302 average and 660 home runs) is a necessity as well.

6.) Jimmie Foxx, 1B

You can’t go wrong with any of this club’s options at first base, which also include Lou Gehrig and Harmon Killebrew.

I usually pick Jimmie Foxx to man the position, if only because his right-handed power plays well at any ballpark. Foxx, a three-time MVP and four-time American League home run leader, was overshadowed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig for much of his career.

He deserves a spot in this lineup because he should be remembered as one of the foremost sluggers of his generation.

7.) Johnny Bench, C

This is the definition of a no-brainer. Even if someone like Carlton Fisk were available to catch (he’s not), Bench is the best all-around backstop the sport has ever seen. He can blast dingers with the best of ‘em in The Show, but more importantly, he can single-handedly shut down the opponent’s running game.

8.) Brooks Robinson, 3B

Eddie Mathews is clearly the better hitter power-wise, but Robinson is worth starting for his highlight-reel defensive plays alone. And while I usually choose players based on their offensive capability, run prevention can also make the difference between a win or a loss.

Robinson won 16 Gold Gloves at the hot corner during his career, and MLB® The Show™ reflects that talent by awarding him a 96 rating on arm strength and 98 on fielding.

Those defensive ratings are far better than those of Eddie Mathews (arm strength: 75, fielding: 73) and Robinson is also superior in terms of making contact.

9.) Honus Wagner, SS

You can probably tell that I prefer gritty types who combine speed and athleticism over all-or-nothing power hitters. “The Flying Dutchman” is an expert bat handler who can bunt for hits, steal bases, and turn double plays with the greatest of ease. His balletic fielding and ability to fight off tough pitches make him an x-factor on the diamond.

Searle’s Final Say

The beauty of choosing a legendary team in MLB® The Show™ is that every player on the roster is an all-time great. I’ve provided the way I like to compose my team, but others may prefer to have more left-handed hitters or sluggers in their lineup. Ultimately, what matters is that your lineup reflects your individual playing style, and that you don’t completely sacrifice defense for offensive firepower.

Do you disagree with me? Share your dream team lineup below.