Every April 1st, MLB The Show launches a unique limited-time April Fool's Day event. This year's event, called Common Courtesy program, continues last year's core gameplay: you appear to receive Common Cards, but these cards automatically upgrade to Diamond Cards the following day. The official joke - the same joke can't be played twice - but it still happened this year.
If you missed last year's event, here's a brief explanation of what you'll get if you participate in this year: these cards appear as 64-rated Common Cards on the day of the event, but they become Diamond Cards the next day. If you complete the tasks before the event ends, you'll also receive a New Threads Pack.
The event is divided into several parts: Moment Challenges, XP tasks, stat tasks, and limited-time collection rewards. Players need to complete individual challenges for four specific players to obtain their Common Cards. They then accumulate experience points and specific stats through matches to ultimately collect all four cards and claim New Threads Pack.
Therefore, the event has extremely high strategic value - using low-difficulty tasks to exchange for high-value diamond cards in the future. Don't forget to keep an eye on MLB The Show 26 Stubs during the event to plan your resources wisely and maximize your gains.
How to Play the New Event? Just do It the Other Way Around
The four event players are Kerry Wood, Carlos Pena, Jorge Soler, and Trevor Story, each corresponding to a Moment Challenge. These challenges completely defy normal baseball intuition; you must carefully read the small blue text on the screen - larger font is often misleading.
Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood is the Cubs' 35-year-old pitcher, known for his explosive power during his prime, but the event uses a version of him from the later stages of his career.
The challenge page prominently displays "Do not give up one run, strike out one batter " but the actual requirement in smaller blue text is "Give up a run without striking anybody out ".
The method is as follows: Intentionally walk a strong batter, such as Nico Hoerner or Seiya Suzuki, and then avoid strikeouts when pitching against a low-strike percentage like Carson Kelly. You need to allow your opponent to score while ensuring no strikeouts are recorded.
Aim at the edge of the strike zone when pitching, using slow pitches to force your opponent to hit a fly ball or ground ball for a score. If you accidentally strike out, the challenge fails, and you must start over.
Carlos Pena
Carlos Pena, representing the Astors, presents a similarly counterintuitive challenge. Do not get a single or RBI, simply perform a bunt. After entering the batting order, press the bunt command. Because Pena's baserunning speed is slow, a bunt will probably result in a throw-out by the defense.
The safest way is to strike out - absolutely do not hit a single or drive a runner into the game. If you do hit a single, immediately abandon the challenge and start over.
Jorge Soler
Jorge Soler's challenge is relatively close to the standard: hit two singles, but no extra-base hits (i.e., no reaching second, third, or home run). You must stop at first base after each batting attempt, even if the ball flies into an open field.
It's recommended to use pushes or soft hits to create infield ground balls or shallow outfield line drives. You can refer to Kevin Youkilis's example - he's Greek god of walks. Players in this challenge should be like him, content with singles. If you hit a double or further, the challenge fails.
Trevor Story
Trevor Story's challenge involves stealing a base. You must be caught stealing a base and cannot successfully steal a base yourself. After reaching base, press the steal a base command, but intentionally leave the base prematurely or mistime the attack, allowing the catcher to easily throw the ball out.
You can try this reliable technique: while in player lock-on mode, press R2 button on your controller. The game will lag or misjudge, making it very easy to get caught stealing a base.
What you need is to get thrown out, not to successfully steal a base. If you successfully steal a base, the challenge fails. This is the only way to get out of this game. Because it's very difficult to get out with a normal steal a base, you must intentionally make a mistake.
After completing these four challenges, you will receive four corresponding 64-rated Common Cards. You will also receive additional MLB The Show 26 Stubs.
What are the Event Rewards
Collecting all four common players will earn you New Threads Pack, which contains at least one new jersey skin. However, you must complete the collection within 24 hours on April 1st; otherwise, you may not obtain the jersey pack.
However, even if you missed New Threads Pack, keeping these cards is still worthwhile - last year, while the official announcement didn't explicitly state that the cards would be upgraded, Common Cards did eventually become Diamond Cards.
Some Exciting New Content to Look Forward to
Several other content releases this week include an Easter egg event, a new show, and the regular Conquest Friday content update, expected to launch on April 5th. Players speculate that Chase Delotter or Kevin McGonicle might be among the recipients of the cards, but the final outcome is uncertain.
Common Courtesy program is a traditional April Fool's Day prank event from MLB The Show, ostensibly awarding low-scoring Common Cards, but actually rewarding Diamond Cards.
Players need to complete challenges unconventionally: prevent Kerry Wood from scoring without striking out, make Carlos Pena bunt out, make Jorge Soler only hit a single, and prevent Trevor Story from stealing a base.
Combined with experience points and statistical tasks, the final reward is a jersey pack and four Diamond Cards that will soon be upgraded. Don't be misled by the large print, and don't try to play normally. Use this guide to efficiently complete all tasks, reap a bountiful Diamond Card harvest, and enjoy the generous MLB The Show 26 Stubs.
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