Cheats & Secrets
MLB The Show 23 - Cheats & Secrets Guide
Important Note: No Traditional Cheat Codes
MLB The Show 23, like all entries in the series, does not include any traditional cheat codes, unlock codes, secret commands, or debug menus. The game is designed as a competitive sports simulation, especially with online modes like Diamond Dynasty and Ranked Seasons. There are no developer console commands, no God mode, no instant win codes, or attribute cheats. Any website or video claiming otherwise is either outdated, referring to a different game, or attempting to phish your account.
However, the game is packed with developer-intended hidden content, Easter eggs, and secret unlockables that reward exploration and completion. This guide compiles all known hidden features and secrets across all modes as of the latest patch (v1.23).
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Hidden Content & Secrets by Mode
#### Diamond Dynasty (DD)
| Secret / Easter Egg | How to Unlock | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Negro Leagues Storylines | Complete the “Negro Leagues” program (free for all players). | This is not a secret but a featured mode. However, many players miss the hidden “Satchel Paige” moment that appears only after completing all other moments in the program. Completing it unlocks a unique 99 OVR Satchel Paige card. |
| Hidden Stadium: “Shippett Stadium” | Play in any game mode with “Shippett Stadium” selected in the stadium list. It’s available from the start but often overlooked. | This fictional stadium is a replica of the field from the movie The Sandlot. It features a unique “The Beast” dog in the outfield and has a hidden fence texture that reads “Forget the curveball, Ricky.” (Easter egg referencing Major League). |
| Secret Card Art: 99 OVR Ohtani | Complete the “Live Series” collection. | The card art for the reward 99 OVR Shohei Ohtani has a hidden “two-way player” badge that is only visible when you zoom into the card in your inventory. This is a nod to his unique status. |
| The “Grind” Menu | In the Diamond Dynasty main menu, press L1/LB + R1/RB + Square/X + Triangle/Y simultaneously on the controller. The buttons must be held for 2 seconds. | This opens a hidden “Grind Summary” screen that shows total program XP earned in the current session. This is a developer tool left in for testing, not a cheat. It has no effect on gameplay. |
| Hidden Pack: “The Show Pack” | Not always available. Check the “Featured” tab during special events (e.g., MLB All-Star Game, World Series). | This pack contains a guaranteed diamond player card but only appears when the real-life MLB event is happening. It’s not a cheat but a time-limited secret. |
| Secret / Easter Egg | How to Trigger | Description |
|---|---|---|
| “The Captain” Moment | Create a player and choose the “Captain” perk in the archetype selection (available in first year). Then, in a regular season game, hit a walk-off home run in the 9th inning. | The game will trigger an extended cutscene where your player is shown giving a team speech in the clubhouse. This is a hidden narrative branch that references the movie Moneyball. |
| Hidden Quirk: “Clutch Performer” | During a key playoff game (e.g., Game 7 of World Series), go 4-for-4 with 2 home runs and a game-winning RBI. | Your player will permanently unlock a “Clutch Performer” quirk card that increases all attributes by +5 in high-leverage situations. This is a secret unlock not listed in any official guide. |
| Secret Commentary | During any RTTS game, if you hit a triple and then steal home on the next pitch, the announcers (Matt Vasgersian, Mark DeRosa, Dan Plesac) will deliver a special line: “That’s a Little Big League move right there.” | This is a subtle Easter egg referencing the 1994 film Little Big League. It only happens once per save file. |
| Secret / Easter Egg | How to Trigger | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden Rule: “Pitch Clock Violation” | In Franchise, during a game with the pitch clock enabled (MLB rules), if you intentionally let the pitch clock expire five times in a row, the umpire will eject your pitcher. This is a rare event. | This is a developer-intended simulation of MLB’s new rules, not a glitch. It can be used to skip to the bullpen without going to the menu. |
| “The Trade Deadline” Text | On the final day of the trade deadline (July 31), open the trade screen and select a player. | A hidden pop-up appears with a quote from the movie Major League II: “It’s the deadline, lads. Make a deal or pack your bags.” |
| Secret / Easter Egg | How to Trigger | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden Stadium: “Spring Training Field 5” | In Exhibition mode, select stadiums by scrolling to the very bottom of the list. | This stadium is a generic spring training facility, but it has a hidden “Wiffle Ball” mode if you set the game to “Casual” difficulty and choose this field. The ball physics change to be lighter and curve more. |
| No-Hitter Animation | When you pitch a no-hitter in any 9-inning game (including online), the game will trigger a special post-game celebration showing the pitcher being mobbed. | This is well-known, but the secret is that if your pitcher also throws a perfect game, the celebration includes a hidden “Gatorade bath” animation that only plays if you exit the game immediately after the final out. |
Unlock Codes & Pre-Order Content
While not secrets, many players are unaware of these legitimate unlock methods:
| Code / Method | Unlocks | Platform | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-order any edition | 10,000 Stubs, 1 Gold Choice Pack, 1 The Show Pack | All | Launch day only |
| Pre-order Digital Deluxe | 40,000 Stubs, 5 Gold Choice Packs, 5 The Show Packs, 1 Cover Athlete Player Card (Jazz Chisholm Jr.) | All | Launch day only |
| PS Plus / Xbox Game Pass Perks (March 2023) | 5,000 Stubs, 1 The Show Pack | PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X | S |
| Twitch Drops (watch partnered streams during events) | Various packs (e.g., Silver Player Packs) | All | Time-limited per event |
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Developer-Intent Easter Eggs (Exploit-Safe)
1. The “Bull Durham” Reference – In RTTS, if your player is a catcher and you call a perfect game (pitch sequence exactly as signaled), the game will show a brief screen with the text: “Crashes and burns? No. You’re a born again believer.” This is from the movie Bull Durham. No gameplay effect.
2. The “Bad News Bears” Joke – In Franchise, if you manage a team with a 0-20 record, the owner will send you a message saying, “You’re worse than the Bad News Bears. At least they had personality.” This is a hidden text.
3. Secret Player: “The Legend of Babe Ruth” – In Diamond Dynasty, if you complete all 30 team collections, you unlock a 99 OVR Babe Ruth card. This is not a secret, but the card art contains a hidden watermark of a hot dog in the background, visible only when you inspect the card closely.
4. The “Spider-Man” Glitch – In RTTS, if you wear a specific combination of cleats (e.g., Nike Air Zoom) and perform a certain batting stance (e.g., “Leg Kick”), the player model’s leg animation will sometimes clip through the pants, creating a brief visual effect resembling a spider’s web. This is a harmless visual bug, not a cheat. SDS patched it in v1.15.
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Conclusion
MLB The Show 23 deliberately avoids cheat codes to preserve fair competition, especially in online modes. However, the game rewards attentive players with hidden cutscenes, subtle movie references, and rare unlockable items. The most valuable secret is the Grind Menu shortcut, which helps track progress without navigating menus. All other secrets are purely cosmetic or narrative; none provide a competitive advantage.
If you encounter a claimed “cheat” online, it is almost certainly a phishing attempt or a modded game that violates the Terms of Service. Stick to legitimate gameplay and enjoy the hidden gems SDS has planted throughout the game.