After the strong response to the relaunch of Backyard Baseball ’97, Playground Productions is keeping things rolling with the release of Backyard Baseball ‘01, set to arrive on July 8 for Steam and mobile devices.
This version brings back 28 of the original 31 MLB pros, including names like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Cal Ripken Jr. Unfortunately, a few familiar faces, Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds won’t be part of the roster this time around.
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“We’re honored to partner with MLB to bring this iconic game to modern gaming devices for the first time. Backyard Baseball ‘01 was a game-changer in many ways—introducing some of the sport’s biggest legends into the Backyard universe,” said Lindsay Barnett, CEO, Playground Productions. “We can’t wait for fans to relive the joy of building their dream team with both our beloved original characters and baseball’s greatest pros from that unforgettable era.”
“Backyard Baseball stands out with a special place in so many fans’ memories thanks to its endearing qualities and features that were especially rare for a video game of its time. We are really excited to play a small part in authenticating this revitalization with MLB marks and look forward to the full circle moment where those who played this beloved game as children can bring it to a new generation in their families and friends,” said Jamie Leece, MLB’s Senior Vice President, Gaming & Virtual Reality.
Published: Jun 30, 2025 10:06 pm