 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
- Derrek actually began his 1994 season as a third baseman. The Padres had another first base prospect, Jason Thompson, on the same minor league team, and wanted to see how versatile Derrek was. He moved back to first when Thompson was promoted to Class-AA ball.
- In a 1995 California League game at Stockton, Derrek’s mom and dad and grandparents were in the stands when he hit for the cycle.
- After his 1995 minor-league season, Derrek began working out with a group of major league veterans who lived in the Sacramento area, including Greg Vaughn and Fernando Vina.
- In 1996, Derrek homered in six straight games to establish a Southern League record.
- Derrek led all rookies with two grand slams in 1998.
- Derrek blasted a 482-foot homer off Ruben Quevedo in 2000. It was the longest homer ever hit by a Marlin at Pro Player Stadium.
- Derrek’s 52 steals from 2000 to 2004 ranked first among all first basemen.
- Derrek became the Marlins’ all-time leader in home runs and extra-base hits in 2003.
- In June of 2004, Derrek reached base 12 and 10 straight times in two separate streaks.
- On Chicago’s first West Coast trip in 2005, Leon came down from Sacramento to watch his son play back-to-back games in Los Angeles and San Diego. Derrek went 8-for-8 with his dad in the stands.
- Derrek is the first Cubs righty to make an Opening Day start at first base since Andre Thornton in 1976.
- Dusty Baker nicknamed Derrek “Rodan” because of his enormous wingspan.
- The Sporting News named Derrek among the Top 5 basketball players in the major leagues. The others were Mark Hendrickson, Kenny Lofton, Chris Young and Randy Winn.
- Derrek’s dad had a significant part in the 1992 movie Mr. Baseball, which starred Tom Selleck as an American player adjusting to the Japanese game.
- Hee Seop Choi calls Leon Lee his “American grandfather.” That makes the swap of Choi and Derrek the first of a son for a “grandson” in baseball history.
- Derrek’s father and uncle were often confused in early media coverage of Derrek’s career. When he signed with the Padres, Derrek was sometimes mistaken for White Sox prospect Derek Lee.
- Derrek’s dad was hired to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2004, but resigned after being accused of indecent exposure by a Florida woman.
- Derrek’s uncle was just the second player in Padres history to hit .300.
- Joe Torre has a fond memory of Derrek's uncle. The two were teammates with the Cardinals in 1970. On the last day of the season, Torre needed one RBI for 100, and Leron was inserted in the starting lineup for regular leadoff hitter Lou Brock. He got on base a couple of times, and Torred knocked him him to reach the century mark.
Derrek Lee, 1998
Score
Tom Selleck,
1993 Upper Deck Mr. Baseball