Which Superstars Would Be Featured In The Backyard Sports Revival Series
The Backyard Sports series has been around since 1997, with Backyard Baseball on the PC. The series changed styles over the next 18 years, ending in 2015 after the games went mobile. Now, nine years later, Backyard Sports announced that it is returning with games, a feature film, and clothing. The trailer featured all the kids from the original series getting ready to play a baseball game. When the series shifted to having pro athletes in the game as kids, the games added a new variety to them. If they can acquire the players’ rights, which is possible considering the announcement is getting praise from fellow athletes, it won’t surprise me to see top sports players as kids in the games. Here are examples of athletes that I can see being in the game.
Backyard Baseball
Aaron Judge— In baseball, one guy is getting all the attention: New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. Judge is having a fantastic season, with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs, and just recently had his 1,000th career hit. Judge has a chance to break his record of 62 home runs, which he set in 2022, so he’d be a great power bat selection in the game to pair up with Pablo Sanchez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nGWDv2ve3k
Shohei Ohtani- While Judge has been one significant superstar in the league, the other has been Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract and has earned most of it. Ohtani has a 40/40 season after a walk-off grand slam in the 9th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 23rd. If he ever returns to his pitching form, he could be a significant pitching addition to your lineup, as well as a great hitter to balance out power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvHDomx7ZCk
Backyard Football
Patrick Mahomes- Regarding quarterbacks in the NFL, two leading QBs earn a lot of praise. One is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Recently, coming off his 3rd Super Bowl win, he won three for 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns. Having him in a backyard football game can add a significant clutch factor to your team because he’s so good at winning games under pressure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHkvak_oToc
Lamar Jackson- The quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens recently won his MVP award, as he threw for 3,678 yards and 23 touchdowns and led the Ravens to a 13-4 record. His speed makes him stand out for a selection, as he is a very mobile QB , so you’ll add speed to your team if you select him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ0SLzY4zu8
Backyard Basketball
Nikola Jokić —Basketball has seen many stars like Lebron James and Stephen Curry have incredible years. However, as the game passes, new stars like Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokíc have averaged 26.4 points per game and a .583 field goal percentage. He is an excellent center with great scoring ability, so he is a definite pick-up as a teammate to Pablo Sanchez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms-jIx0YiAU
Luka Dončić —Another star leading the scoring in the NBA is Dallas Mavericks power forward Luka Dončić. This season, he averaged 33.9 points per game, the current highest in his career, with a .487 field goal percentage and a .382 3-point percentage. Right now, he should be the favorite for MVP for the 2024-25 season, and he could legit be the other MVP for your Backyard Basketball team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rThUy0KixD0
Backyard Hockey
Connor McDavid- The last Backyard Hockey game was in 2007 for the Nintendo DS, and the MVP was 19-year-old Sidney Crosby. Man, have times changed? Now, the one NHL superstar that has the league always buzzing is Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid; in his 9th year in the NHL, he had a 132-point season with 32 goals and 100 assists. Surprisingly, he did not get MVP that season but got the Conn Smyth trophy in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. The one aspect of his game is elusiveness in his skating, and he is a great set-up guy for your top scorer on your team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujxDHFFhjR8
Nathan MacKinnon- Surprisingly, even with the 100 assists from McDavid, it wasn’t enough for Colorado Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon, who had a 140-point season with 51 goals and 89 assists, earned his first Hart trophy. MacKinnon is a great, consistent points scorer per game, so he’ll be your primary target for scoring chances; he’s a critical star to get when you draft your team.