via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 15: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the New York Mets on May 15, 2014 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Yankees defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 15: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the New York Mets on May 15, 2014 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Yankees defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
MLB The Show is bringing something new to the table this year. They are collaborating with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and NLBM President Bob Kendrick, as well as the families of the players from this league. The aim is to ensure that the audiences know this important part of America’s history. Featuring on the cover of this year’s game are Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Derek Jeter.
Chisholm is a second baseman and center for the Miami Marlins, which is ironically a team that Jeter used to be a co-owner of. Jeter, of course, needs no introduction – he made the cover of the special edition of the game. While Chisholm is a Bahamian player, the former Yankee’s dad is African-American. This is something that is close to both of their hearts, and Jeter recently gave his thoughts on the game’s new features.
Derek Jeter discusses the importance of the Negro Leagues in the 21st century
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The video game is officially set to launch on Tuesday, March 28th. Jeter and Chisholm have made appearances in a series of promotional videos and commercials. In the latest one, the retired shortstop talks about the impact of discussing what the Negro Leagues mean to America today.
.@derekjeter discusses the impact The Negro Leagues has had on Baseball. In partnership with the @NLBMuseumKC, play and celebrate the careers of Negro Leagues Baseball Legends in a video game experience unlike any other!
Pre-order now: https://t.co/lZzPVMClPK #MLBTheShow pic.twitter.com/fUMgEUX8e2
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) March 24, 2023
“I’ve heard a lot of the stories from my Dad growing up, even going to the Negro League Museum…and can’t find a better person than Jackie Robinson. I’d gotten to know his wife over the years, his daughter...” Jeter said about Robinson, who will be featured on this year’s roster.
READ MORE – As the World Celebrates Black History Month, New York Yankees Honor the Incredible Legacy of Derek Jeter
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The former captain went on to say, “I’m just so excited that now you’re gonna have this new generation of kids that get a chance to learn the history. Players that were unable to play in Major League Baseball, how talented they were. The statistics that they had, the trials and tribulations that they went through because it’s a whole different era.”
Jeter personally knew one of the players on the game’s roster
Andrew “Rube” Foster, Hank Thompson, John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil – these are just some of the names that the players can choose to play this year. And Jeter actually knew O’Neil and praised him more than his baseball skills.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Ranking New York Yankees Legend Derek Jeter’s Greatest Ever MLB All-Star Games
“Getting to know Buck O’Neil – when I played in Kansas City as a young player – he’s probably one of the best storytellers I’ve ever run into. I mean, he could be telling you anything and you’d listen. He could give you a grocery shopping list and he makes it sound good,” the former shortstop said in the clip.
