Negro Leagues honored in ‘ MLB The Show 23’

Two years before Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he was an up- and- coming shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs.

Robinson, who is renowned for breaking MLB’s color barrier, was barnstorming across the country waiting for a chance. He dreamed of professional baseball at the highest level and found solace in the Negro Leagues to showcase his skills.

Most baseball fans know Robinson’s story. The Baseball Hall of Famer represented a beacon of hope for Black athletes. His No. 42 jersey is unanimously retired and celebrated every April. However, there is an entire collection of forgotten Black ballplayers.

This year, “MLB The Show 23” is shining a light on those athletes. The video game franchise will highlight the Negro Leagues and its illustrious lineage, introducing a new storyline mode that will focus exclusively on stars from the Negro Leagues.

‘ The Negro Leagues: Season One’

Named “The Negro Leagues: Season One,” the storyline will provide a look at key players throughout history. The inaugural season will feature Robinson, Leroy “Satchel” Paige, Andrew “Rube” Foster, Hilton Smith, Hank Thompson, John Donaldson, Martín Dihigo and John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil.

Fans will be able to relive each player’s journey through the Negro Leagues. The storyline will introduce the players through informational videos and interactive game play. The new mode will also allow for opportunities to utilize the players across different aspects of “MLB The Show 23.”

What are the Negro Leagues?

The Negro National League was founded in 1920 under the direction of Rube Foster. The league began at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri.

Foster, the owner of the Chicago American Giants, helped craft a league with eight original teams. The others: Detroit Stars, Indianapolis ABCs, Kansas City Monarchs, St. Louis Giants ( later renamed St. Louis Stars), Dayton Marcos, Cuban Stars, Chicago Giants.

The Negro National League was born to give opportunities to Black baseball players. The teams had to travel across the country to play in front of fans.

The league continued to evolve and competing leagues assembled. Leagues folded during the Great Depression and new leagues were formed. Franchises were renamed and new teams created, such as the Pittsburgh Crawfords, Birmingham Black Barons and the Memphis Red Sox, among others.

The Leagues featured many unheralded superstars. The list includes Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, Minnie Miñoso, Walter C. “Steel Arm” Davis, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson and Don Newcombe. Toni Stone Mamie “Peanut” Johnson and Connie Morgan – three women who played in the Negro Leagues – also made a significant impact.

Robinson and Paige led the way as breakthrough MLB stars, alongside Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Larry Doby and Roy Campanella.

The Negro Leagues were active for about 30 years, coming to an end soon after Robinson broke through the MLB’s color barrier in 1947 and paved the way for desegregation in baseball. The Indianapolis Clowns were the last Negro Leagues team to remain and continued playing exhibitions until the 1980s.

What is ‘ MLB The Show’?

“MLB The Show” is developed by San Diego Studio. “MLB The Show 23” will feature cover athlete and Miami Marlins star Jazz Chisholm. The game, to be released March 28, will be available on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

There will also be a collector’s edition that features Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. MLB The Show and San Diego Studio will donate $ 1 to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for every “MLB The Show 23” Collector’s Edition sold through Dec. 31, 2023.