One More Season: The MLB Legends Fans Would Bring Back

Every MLB fan has a dream signing. But what if your team could skip free agency, bring back a franchise legend at their peak and recruit another team’s icon too?

Would you reunite with a hometown hero or choose the player who could fix your roster’s biggest weakness? Could one legendary addition turn another early playoff exit into a World Series win?

A survey of 4,000 MLB fans across all 30 teams explored their ultimate comeback wish lists. Fans chose which of three former players they would bring back, explained why and named a retired star who had never played for their club that they would love to see in its uniform.

They also assessed their team’s biggest weakness, predicted how far the current roster would go next season and answered the same question with their chosen former player back at their peak, including how many extra regular season wins they could deliver.

The results reveal which legends fans still trust to make the difference, whose return fuels championship expectations and which rival stars are tempting enough to put old loyalties aside.

Key findings:

• Blue Jays fans want Bautista back: José Bautista tops Toronto’s comeback vote with 53.4%, while World Series expectations rise from 6.8% with the current roster to 24.3% with fans’ chosen legends back at their peak.
• Jeter beats Ruth for Yankees: 51% of Yankees respondents would bring back Derek Jeter, ahead of Babe Ruth (28%) and Mariano Rivera (21%).
• Red Sox want Big Papi and a championship: David Ortiz wins the Red Sox vote with 51.1%. Across Boston respondents, expectations of winning the World Series rise from 9.1% with the current roster to 47.7% with their chosen legend.
• Nolan Ryan wins three comeback votes: Astros, Angels and Rangers respondents all select him as the former player they would most like to bring back.
• Phillies cannot choose: Chase Utley and Mike Schmidt finish level on 48.8% each.
• Some fans still need convincing: Missing the postseason remains Colorado’s most common prediction, even with a returning legend.

Bautista Fuels Toronto’s Championship Hopes

If Toronto could turn back the clock, José Bautista would be the first name on the team sheet. The former Blue Jays star attracts 53.4% of the vote, comfortably ahead of Roy Halladay (27.7%) and Roberto Alomar (18.9%).

It's Bautista's knack for delivering when it matters most that appeals to his supporters. Meanwhile, 35.1% of Blue Jays respondents point to power hitting and home runs as the team's biggest weakness.

But how much could a legendary comeback change Toronto's fortunes? Just 6.8% of fans foresee a World Series victory with the current squad, compared with 24.3% when imagining their chosen legend back in action.

There's optimism about the regular season, too, with 52.0% estimating an extra five to nine wins. The most common postseason prediction shifts from an exit before the ALCS to reaching the championship series.

For a fanbase dreaming of another title, a familiar face from the past offers plenty of reasons to believe.

Red Sox Fans Want Ortiz Back

David Ortiz receives more than half of Boston’s vote (51.1%), beating Ted Williams (26.1%) and Pedro Martínez (22.7%).

Out of those who choose Ortiz, the most popular reason is his ability to deliver in the biggest moments. Across all Red Sox respondents, power hitting and home runs are the most frequently identified weakness for the current roster.

The appeal is clear: Boston Red Sox fans want a hitter they can count on in the biggest moments.

Their ambitions rise accordingly. With the current roster, the most common prediction is a postseason appearance ending before the American League Championship Series. With their selected legend, winning the World Series becomes the leading answer.

Three Teams, One Choice: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan takes 1st place for Houston Astros (60%), Texas Rangers (58.8%) and Los Angeles Angels (55.6%).

Fans identified starting pitching as the biggest weakness for both the Astros and Rangers, while Angels fans rank it joint first alongside roster depth.

Among Rangers fans who specifically select Ryan, fixing the team’s biggest weakness is the biggest reason. Houston and Angels voters who choose him are most drawn to his ability to deliver in the biggest moments.

And Angels respondents expect a substantial return: 66.7% believe their selected legend would add 10-14 regular season wins.

Jeter Gets the Yankees’ Call

Given the chance to bring back Babe Ruth, Yankees fans still choose Derek Jeter. He receives 51% of the vote, ahead of Ruth (28%) and Mariano Rivera (21%).

Among those who select Jeter, the leading reason is his ability to strengthen the team in several areas. Across Yankees respondents, hitting with runners in scoring position is the most commonly identified weakness.

With their chosen legend back at their peak, championship expectations jump: 50% predict a World Series win, compared with 14% with the current roster.

Dodgers Fans Choose Jackie

Jackie Robinson wins the Dodgers’ comeback vote with 70.6%, ahead of Sandy Koufax (27.9%) and Duke Snider (1.5%).

Among Robinson voters, strengthening the team in several areas is the most popular reason for bringing him back. Across Dodgers respondents, hitting with runners in scoring position tops the list of concerns.

Confidence is already high, with 42.7% predicting a World Series win with the current roster. Add their chosen legend, and that figure climbs to 75%. Apparently, even confident fans can find room for a little more star power.

Phillies Split the Vote, Cleveland Spots a Solution

The Phillies’ comeback vote ends in a dead heat, with Chase Utley and Mike Schmidt each receiving 48.8%, leaving Steve Carlton a distant third on 2.3%.

Among Utley voters, strengthening the team in several areas is the leading reason for choosing him. Among Schmidt voters, that answer ties with delivering in the biggest moments.

Cleveland’s result is more decisive. Jim Thome receives 73.7%, and 35.7% of his voters choose him to fix the team’s biggest weakness. That fits the wider fanbase’s concern: 47.4% identify power hitting as Cleveland’s main problem.

With their chosen legend added, 79.0% of Cleveland respondents predict a World Series appearance, including 26.3% who expect to win it.

Even a Legend Cannot Guarantee October

Colorado supplies a little realism. Larry Walker tops Colorado’s comeback wish list with 57.1% of the vote, and 75% of those who chose him say he would strengthen the team in several areas. But even a legend can only do so much: 57.1% of Rockies respondents still predict missing the postseason with their chosen player back at their peak, the same share as with the current roster.

One superstar can do plenty. Apparently, some rebuilding jobs require more.

Boston’s Other Wish? A Yankees Legend

Fans were also asked which retired player they would recruit who had never played for their team.

After combining clear spelling variations, Derek Jeter is Boston’s most frequently named eligible choice. Barry Bonds leads Milwaukee’s and Minnesota’s answers, while Ken Griffey Jr. tops the Rangers’ list. Rivalries are powerful. The chance to improve your lineup might be more powerful still.

Barry Bonds was the most popular dream recruit overall, chosen by around 1 in 8 fans (12.1%).

If you could bring back one legend at their peak to help your team next season, who would get your vote?

Methodology

The survey included 4,009 fans across all 30 MLB teams. Reasons quoted for an individual legend are calculated among respondents who selected that player. Team weaknesses and season expectations cover all respondents supporting that team; comeback predictions refer to each respondent’s own chosen legend.

MLB Prediction Markets

While fans imagine how returning legends could change their team's fortunes, Polymarket's MLB prediction markets offer a look at real-world expectations, from World Series winners and league champions to division winners, MVP favorites and Cy Young contenders.

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