Brisbee: The genius of ‘Baseball Stars,’ the seminal sports video game of its time — and the most fun
From SABR member Grant Brisbee at The Athletic on May 9, 2019:
Everyone agrees that the greatest player in baseball history was Jibdec, and those who were around to see him still tell the tale. They talk about the time he hit four home runs, and they talk about the time he stole second, third and home in the first inning. But they often forget that he did all of that in the same game. They talk about his peerless hitting, power, speed and fielding. They talk about his prestige, which packed every ballpark. They talk less about his merely above-average luck, but nobody can have it all.
Jibdec died when my cartridge’s battery pack died back in the 1990s, but his influence lives on. He was the most talented player in baseball history, and I created him. For the 30th anniversary of “Baseball Stars,” it’s only right to honor his memory.
We should also honor the game itself. Because the Nintendo Entertainment System’s “Baseball Stars” was one of the most brilliant video games ever.
Read the full article here (subscription required): https://theathletic.com/879633/2019/05/09/the-genius-of-baseball-stars-the-seminal-sports-video-game-of-its-time-and-the-most-fun/
Originally published: May 10, 2019. Last Updated: May 10, 2019.