- Release Date: March 29, 2000
- Genre: Sports
- Style: Baseball
- Similar Games: All-Star Baseball 99 (Nintendo 64), Triple Play 2000 (PlayStation), All-Star Baseball 2000 (Nintendo 64), High Heat Baseball 2000 (PlayStation), Triple Play 2001 (PlayStation)
Game Description
989 Sports is back for Major League Baseball's 2000 season! This marks the fifth installment of a series that originated with MLB Pennant Race, and the same batter-pitcher interface used in the three previous titles can be found in this one. So what are you waiting for? It's time for MLB 2001 on the PlayStation!Featuring all of the official stadiums and teams from the 2000 season, you can start swinging at your choice of five game modes: Exhibition, Season, Home Run Derby, All-Star Game, and Franchise. Each player and stadium has specific characteristics and nuances as well.
You'll find that Seattle Mariners slugger Jay Buhner has his trademark open stance while smaller players will squat and crowd the plate. Stadiums have characteristics like the "Green Monster" in Fenway Park or the waterfalls in Kaufmann Stadium. You will also find over 250 new animations in this game.
How about gameplay? Well, MLB 2001 has several new modes for you to participate in. The Franchise mode will let you customize and prepare a team from the ground up. In Season play, you can take a team through varying lengths or play all the way from spring training. You can also quickly get started with an Exhibition or All-Star Game, and players can aim for the bleachers in the revamped Home Run Derby.
Want more features to whet your appetite? How about the enhanced Total Control Fielding and Total Control Batting systems? With these game mechanics, you will have ultimate control on how the ball is hit, its direction, and the power and type of swing. In the field, you'll be able to manipulate fielders and tell them what to do. They can dive, jump, slide, and run for the ball. Be careful not to run too close to your teammate, or else a collision could happen!
As with the last game in the series (MLB 2000), commentary is provided by actual announcers Vin Scully and Dave Campbell for a television broadcast experience. 989 Sports also called upon baseball player Tony Gwynn and coach Davey Johnson to help develop the AI and playbooks.
So if you think you're ready to hit the field and crank some dingers, MLB 2001 might just be your ticket to the Bigs!
~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
MLB 2001 borrows several in-game techniques and external features for its PlayStation baseball simulation. It bears striking resemblances to games like All-Star Baseball 2000 and Triple Play 99.989 Sports has been adding to its franchise ever since MLB Pennant Race was released in 1996 (when the company was called Sony Interactive Studios). This is the fifth installment in the MLB series, and the last game to fall under the 989 Sports brand.
~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide
Production Credits
Lead Programmer: Scott Murray; Programmers: Dan Enfield, Lee Blum; Lead Artist: Kevin McMahon; Artists: Paul Hainey, Adam McMahon, Shawn Robles; Senior Producer: Chris Cutliff; Associate Producer: Chris Gill; Director, Sports Product Development: Kelly Ryan; President: Kelly Flock; Vice President, Marketing: Jeff Fox; Director, Sports Marketing: Craig D. Ostrander; Product Managers: Tim Granich, Troy Mack; Director, PR and Promotions: Helene Sheeler; PR and Promotions: Kim Bardakian, Shon Damron, Marcelyn Ditter, Marc Franklin, Christy Fritts, Bob Johnson, Kristina Kirk, Elena McCoy, Laura Naviaux, Chris Norton, Chris Sturr, Christa Wittenberg; Director, Creative Services: Howard Liebeskind; Creative Services: Vyn Arnold, Brain Asselin, Nathan Carrico, Kevin Marburg, Michael Raines; Director, Legal and Business Affairs: David Greenspan; Legal and Business Affairs: Seth stteinberg, Mimi Nguyen, Sapphira Ng; Director, Product Development Services Group: Dwayne Mason; Cinematics: Scott McMahon, Joe Estus and Dominic Perricone; Multimedia Artist: Jeff Vargas; Music: Chuck Carr, Dave Logan; Sound FX Design & Editing: Rex Baca, Chuck Carr, Joel Copen, Tristan Des Pres; Senior Sound & Voice Production: Rex Baca; Script Writer: Pat Hegarty; Play by Play: Vin Scully; Color Commentary: Dave Campbell; Consultation: Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, Davey Johnson; PA Announcer: Mike Carlucci; Motion Capture Editors: Jason Parks, Travis Parks; Motion Capture Athletes: Ray Durham, Shawn Estes, Karim Garcia, Benji Gil, Tony Gwynn, Darryl Hamilton, Trevor Hoffman, Darryl Kile, Brett Tomko and Mo Vaughn; Documentation and Layout: David Lovalvo; Test Managers: Ritchard Markelz; Tech Coordinator: Kevin Simmons; Scouting Reports: Mike Veigel, Doug Damron, Freddie Dodson; Lead Testers: Doug Damron, Freddie Dodson, Masa Ogasawar, Mike Veigel, Mike Gallina; Testers: Charles Brown, Gary Valois, Mark Ranallo, Steve Schulte, Leo Macalino, David Paymard, Vince Pangelinan, Peter Chang, Adrien Langlois, Randy Caymo, Ryan Zimmerman, Jason Vick, Conrad Noche, Dan Paris, Marcus Efting, Sean McNabb; Special Thanks: Chipper Jones, Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, Davey Johnson, Allan Frankel, Ed Loonam, MLB Properties, MLBPA, MLB Photos, Phoenix Communication, Stats Inc., Upper Deck, Kaz Hirai, Jack Tretton, Frank O'Mally, Brian Dimick, Brian Hale, George Richard, Jeff Hutchinson, Rick Rooney, Brett Robinson, Riley Russell, Kerry Hopkins, Michelle Manahan, Jean Galli, Chris Clark, Ron Eagle, Glenn Nash, Rick Rossiter, Kristin Shatakousk, Karen Busch, Becky Sanford, Tina Cruz, B.D. Fox and Butler, Shine & Stern
~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide
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