Return of Negro League Program a Huge W
MLB the Show provides a new way to tell baseball's history to next generation
MLB the Show is a fun video game, but it’s also turned into a unique educational tool about the history of baseball and its place in society.
It was recently announced that the universally praised Negro League Program will return this season after a sparkling debut last year. Hopefully, that means more Negro League stars (Josh Gibson or we riot) and the unique storytelling moments that brought the players to life.
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Last year’s moments provided a unique way for gamers to learn about the game’s pioneers in a way that was both interactive and informative.
I love baseball and reading about the game’s rich history and found myself learning about players whom I either did not know or knew little beyond just their names. It was also fun to play with those guys in the game, although if an opponent brings Josh Donaldson in again in relief I’m going to throw my television out the window.
For my 7-year-old baseball-crazed son, who played most of the moments, it was an opportunity to learn about the players and the circumstances that led to a need for the Negro Leagues. While talks about segregation are not easy as a parent, the video game served as an entryway to discuss race.
Example: My favorite player is Andrew McCutchen. I told my son that before Jackie Robinson and the integration of baseball, a player with Andrew’s background was not allowed to play on the Pirates or any big-league team. They had to play in their own league because of a racial divide in society, but the integration of baseball was a huge milestone in ending that practice.
Through Diamond Dynasty, MLB the Show has the chance to tell more stories about the history of the game. There are so many historical moments from the introduction of Latin and Asian players to the early days of baseball’s dead ball era, among countless others.
I’d love San Diego Studios to do more partnerships as they have with the Negro League Museum and start paying for more player likenesses. You cannot tell the history of baseball without Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Hiram Bithorn, Livan Hernandez, Sataharo Oh, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and A-Rod, just to name a few.
Yes, MLB the Show is a video game first, but it has an opportunity to educate and engage fans in ways no other video game currently does.
Welcome DC Hendrix
I’m excited to announce that DC Hendrix will soon start writing MLB the Show articles for this substack. He’s an incredibly talented writer with a love for MLB the Show. You can find his work all across the Internet, including places like FanSided and Just Baseball. He’s also a huge wrestling fan.
New to The Show Shop
I’m currently building out a website to sell MLB the Show-themed merchandise. I just added these “99 Diamond” stickers as I build up my inventory. Click here to get yours.