MLB The Show 23: Ramone Russell Goes In-Depth On The New Negro League Storylines Feature

When MLB The Show 23 drops this month, it will feature something that its never had in the series’ history, which dates back to 1997 when it was simply called MLB’ 98, and it was developed by 989 Sports. The new element is the implementation of the Negro League, which is officially called Storylines: The Negro Leagues – Season 1.

As the title indicates, Storylines was designed to drive home the Negro League experience to a generation of fans who aren’t likely to know much about stars like Satchel Paige, Buck O’Neill or Martin Dihigo.

It’s also designed to deliver a compelling game experience that fans can enjoy and learn about the history of the league, the people who made it possible and some of the ugly challenges they faced during one of the darkest times in American history.

Ramone Russell is a Product Development Communications and Brand Strategist for Sony, and he has been the most visible member of the development and marketing team for the MLB The Show series for more than a decade. Russell was instrumental in pitching the concept of incorporating the Negro League experience into MLB The Show 23, and working to get almost every aspect of the mode completed.

I had an opportunity to sit down with him to discuss the process from beginning to end.

How long is a project like Negro League Storylines in the works before it can be brought into fruition?

“This one was special,” Russell said. “From start to finish, it was about 20 months, so almost two years. I think my first email to the director of production was about 21 months ago. We spent months just thinking about it. Like if we do this, how do we do this the right way? That was mind’s eye for everybody. It was so important to do it the right way. We really had no idea where to start, but we knew we needed to start by reaching out to the Negro League Baseball Museum and reaching out to Bob Kendrick, the President of the Negro League Baseball Museum.”

Over the course of those conversations, the concept came into formation. Kendrick was incorporated into the introduction of the mode to fans as he narrates each of the reveal trailers.

Here is a look at the first one Sony San Diego released announcing Negro Leagues – Season 1:

Similar videos followed that offer more insight into the inclusion of the Kansas City Monarchs, the Chicago American Giants and the Negro League’s pioneering night baseball.

The Negro League Storylines feature includes 7 legends of the historic league:

Satchel Paige

Martin Dihigo

Buck O’Neill

Hank Thompson

Hilton Smith

John Donaldson

Rube Foster

The Negro League story is delivered to users via short-form videos, specialized in-game commentary, music, uniforms, fan attire, authentic ballparks and challenges. Users who choose to play through Storylines will unlock the Negro League legends, uniforms and ballparks for use in all online modes–including Diamond Dynasty.

Storylines, from a game standpoint, is composed of Moments similar to what fans of The Show have become familiar with from the Jackie Robinson Experience and the Daily Moments within Diamond Dynasty. There won’t be more Negro League players released this year. Instead, the plan is to introduce a new collection of Negro League legends into the game in MLB The Show 24, which would be Season 2 for the feature.

Russell’s passion for the project is evident throughout our conversation.

“This is a celebration,” Russell said. “Unfortunately how we portray black men in the history of the country hasn’t always been great. So this was an opportunity for us to portray these black men in a celebratory light. That’s why we built all of those presentations. That’s why we made it feel special. That’s why the mode has its own soundtrack.”

Sony San Diego is donating $1 to the Negro League Baseball Museum for every Captain’s and digital deluxe edition sold through December 31, 2023.

Per Russell, this is the third year SSD has donated to a cause that serves under-represented communities. The last two years $1 from every collector’s and digital deluxe edition was donated to the Jackie Robinson Fund which has helped SSD usher in 6 Jackie Robinson scholars into the tech/gaming industry.

MLB The Show 23 releases on early access on March 24 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and Xbox One. It will be available for everyone else on March 28.

Here is a look at 30 things you should know about the game.