Two years before Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he was an upcoming shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs.
Robinson, who is renowned for breaking Major League Baseball’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 MLB 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 ball players.
This year, “MLB The Show 23” is shining a light on those athletes.
The popular video game franchise will highlight the Negro Leagues and their illustrious lineage. In its upcoming edition, “MLB The Show 23” will introduce a new storyline mode that will focus exclusively on stars from the Negro Leagues.
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‘The Negro Leagues: Season One’
Named “The Negro Leagues: Season One,” the storyline will provide an inside 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.”
“MLB The Show 23” will release March 28.
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, who was the owner of the Chicago American Giants, helped craft a league with eight original teams. The other teams were the Detroit Stars, Indianapolis ABCs, Kansas City Monarchs, St. Louis Giants (later renamed St. Louis Stars), Dayton Marcos, Cuban Stars and Chicago Giants.
The Negro National League was born to give opportunities to Black baseball players. Due to the MLB restricting Black players from joining, the teams had to…