Getting money in owner mode
If fans are not attending your games, you will have difficulty making money. Make sure the Fan Happiness meter is high and you schedule Promotional Days occasionally to keep people coming out to the ballpark.
Use the following tricks to earn money in owner mode. Note: Save the game early and often. Also be patient, as this may take awhile:
Select a team that is championship caliber. You will make more money by hosting big games. For example, good teams like Chicago, Boston, New York, or St. Louis. You will make somewhere about $500,000 for each playoff game.
Turn off injuries, suspensions, and computer trades. This makes simulating a whole season much faster.
Use the money that is initially in your bank to purchase merchandise stands and concessions. The more revenue you stream in, the more chance you have to gain money in the future. Spend all your starting money (remember promotion days) quickly, as you will go into the negatives quickly.
Never let your team have a losing year. That is the easiest way to get into a huge hole. In fact, make sure you go deep into the playoffs in the first few years.
Keep your ticket prices at default for the unimportant games early in the season; perhaps even lower them a bit early in the season to get people through the door. In crucial September games and the playoffs, raise them to a reasonably high level. Fan satisfaction is higher then, and they are willing to pay more.
After the postseason, spend all the money that you have earned on ballpark upgrades (mostly seating capacity). The more seats, the more money you will earn.
Turn off fair trades. Check your rosters after the first few seasons to get rid of old overpriced players for cheap youngsters. You can even edit young 20 to 22 year olds in rosters.
When you start owner mode, turn off "Injuries" and "Suspensions" so that your starting lineup will not be disturbed throughout the season. Set the budget to "Large". Start a season with a team with a small payroll (for example, the Minnesota Twins), or you could spend more time trading away all the big salaries (for example, the New York Yankees). Before you start the season, lower your ticket prices slightly. Your attendance will average slightly over 10,000 at first. Also, buy the first "Seating Capacity" upgrade so that your capacity is 25,000. Use the $1 million you have remaining and buy some concessions. Trade away your high priced players (anyone making over $1 million) and either sign lower paid players or call up players from your farm teams. Then, edit your roster so that you are the greatest team in the league (first in pitching, batting, defense, and speed). The players' salaries will stay low, but you will be the best team in the league. Raise your ticket prices after the first few months then raise them more during the summer months, and slightly more during the playoffs. You should win the World Series if you edited your players well enough. Take the money you made and upgrade your seating capacity. Repeat this process after the year. Let go of the players asking for more money, and just call up more bad players and edit them to great players. Only concentrate on seating capacity at first. You will make enough with ticket sales to be able to afford everything else in the later years. After a few years you should have the best ballpark in the league. Note: This trick is not for those that are attached to certain players -- you must be willing to part ways with your big names.
If you want a team with a good stock of cash, then follow these steps. Start Owner mode with large budget, no suspensions, injuries, CPU trades, and financial advisor. Then start a fantasy draft for both players and coaches. Make sure that yoru team is first for both. Choose B. Cox, then simulate the coach draft. When you get to the player draft, chose who you want (not Dowd, Pujols, Thome, Abreu, or any other high-priced player). Select in this order: Huff (1B), Mueller (3B), Soriano (2B), any shortstop, Baldelli (CF), Holliday (LF), select the first four pitchers in SP and two RP, then simulate. When done, go into "Owners Box" and choose "Buy Assets". Enter "Seating Capacity" and go to level 2. Spend your money on a pizza stand, prospect store, and your last $100,000 on promotional days for your first, last, and rivalry games. Edit your players so that all of your player stats on main menu (pitching, fielding, hitting, speed) are at #1. For pitching, raise the stamina. For batting, raise contact and power. For fielding. raise fielding to 99 on all starters. For speed, set to at least 79. Simulate your season. You should finish with about 95 to 105 wins and $5 to 10 million in your bank.
Before entering owner mode, go to "Roster Management" and do the following. Send all of your high priced players to A ball. They will keep their contract years, but get paid $100,000 per year. For example, if you are the New York Mets, send Carlos Beltran to A ball. Instead of making $17.5 million over seven years he will make $100,000 over seven years. This will work with any player. This is an easy way to cut down price per day of player salaries and still get high media sponsorship.
Have a good team in owner mode like the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, or Boston Red Sox. Trade away anyone making over $1 million on all 4 rosters (A, AA, AAA, and MLB). Then, sign the worst players in all the free agent categories. Go to edit players, and give them the exact stats of the best position players in the MLB. By doing this you are getting players for $300,000 for three years, and with the value of $10 million dollar players.
To get upgrades at the very start, buy the first upgrade of seats and buy either the ice cream stand or the pizza stand. Leave the prices of admission alone. Having more people in the park will not bring in more money.
Renamed players
Every non-created player that has the number 86 is a player in real life. For example, the Red Sox's first baseman Anthony Friese #86 is actually Kevin Millar #15.
Pitching
If a good prospect is doing poorly in the minors, try hiring a new pitching coach or batting coach to put some spark back into their game.
When you are about to throw the ball, hold the button down until you get to the red. Let go, then hit the green. Your pitches will be faster.
Hit the batter
To hit the batter with the ball, hold [L] + [R] and press [Analog-stick Down]. The batter will be hit with the pitch and the umpire will warn you. Do the same for the next batter and the umpire will eject the pitcher from the game. If you hit the next batter with the new pitcher, he will immediately be ejected from the game. If you wait for one specific batter out of all nine batters, the pitcher will not be thrown out immediately, and there is a good chance that the single batter will charge the mound. Note: This will not work if you only have one pitcher remaining on your team. It may also bring down your pitcher's stats in Owner mode and Dynasty mode. It is recommended that you try this with an opposing team or in Exhibition mode.
Easy Homerun Showdown win
When the pitch is coming in, hold [Analog-stick Up] and time it well. You will almost always hit a homerun.
Hold [L] and move the ball father away from the plate before the pitch is throw. Then, hold the [Analog-stick] in any direction. This will allow players to hit inside pitches.
Easy homeruns
Create a team with a lot of power hitters (like Albert Pujols). To hit a lot of homeruns with them, press [Analog stick Up].
In Owner or Dynasty mode, sign a player with at least 67 Power and 67 Contact vs. RHP or LHP. Make sure his hitting zone is hot in the upper inside corner. Wait for a pitch high and inside and make sure you point the Analog-stick up and inside. Then, swing slightly earlier than usual. If you timed correctly, the player will hit a homerun about 98% of the time. If not, then it will be a sure single to left field.
Easy grand slam
Trade all fast players like O. Cabrera, Ichiro, and Carlos Beltran to one team. Create the the [jacob paterson] player and sign him. Then, put the fast players as the first three hitters and the slugger as the number four batter. Have the first three players bunt. While this happens, take control of the other team so they cannot throw the ball. All of the fast players will be on base and the slugger will be up. Most of the time he will hit a grand slam.
Easy strike outs
Either throw curveballs down and out of the strike zone or to throw a slider that will curve outward form the batter. Note: This may not work as well against well disciplined hitters, such as Albert Pujols.
Throw two fastballs on the inside corner then a slider or curveball on the outside corner. Note: This may not work all the time.
Start with a curveball or slider either low and away or low and inside. Then, throw a four seam fastball low inside or a slider low away. Next, throw a splitter as low as possible over the center of the plate. This works most of the time and is better with Curt Schilling or Roger Clemens.
Easy saves
After your starter has pitched six innings and your team is winning, no matter what the score, put in your closer in the seventh inning. Have him pitch the rest of the game.
Steal home easily
Create a player that has 99 to100 in everything. Bunt to get to first base, then lead off as much as possible. Choose to steal third base just before you get to the base choose home plate. The third baseman will not throw it to home plate and you will be safe.
Easy MVP points
In dynasty mode, after simulating a season and before you go to the playoffs, save the game. Then, keep reloading it. This will give you a lot of MVP points.
Enter an exhibition, owner, or dynasty mode game. Choose a good overall team (for example, the Yankees). Face a team with bad pitching and defense (for example, the Rockies). Play on the MVP level. Go to the game options in the in-game menu. Go to "Gameplay Tuning" and change all the CPU's abilities (Contact, Power, Speed, Pitcher Fatigue) to the minimum (-50). Change yours to the maximum (50). It will now be easy to complete the MVP checklist goals (hit two homers with same player, steal four bases with same player, hit a grand slam, hit a triple, strike out ten, pitch a perfect game). Because the game is under the MVP level, your total MVP points will be multiplied by four, giving you a large number of MVP points quickly. Note: You can do this on the other levels. Under the Pro level the multiplier is two, and under the All-Star level the multiplier is three. There is no bonus multiplier for the Rookie level.
Trade everyone from your A-team to the Red Sox or any other team you can get MVP points by winning a game against. Then, get eleven of the worst prospects on the free agents list and set their stats up as high as possible. Put them on your team, and set your team as the away team.
Easier trades
If you cannot get an All-Star or top prospect with a player for player trade, go to free agents. Then, sign the top free agent available and offer the same trade along with the free agent to have a better chance at coming to terms with the CPU.
Use the following trick to get players like Ichiro, Beltre, Pujols, etc. Choose good players on your team to trade for them. Edit they players so that they have a five star career potential. When you go to trade, have all three of your players (pitchers work best) and the player that you want. With the other two slots open to come to your team, select the two worst players on their A team. The CPU will accept the trade about 70 of the time.
If you do not want someone on your team, trade them and two players from Triple-A. This will always work.
Argue calls
If you think the first base umpire made a bad call, press [Y] during the replay to argue it. Doing this sends out your manager. It will show your manager walk out of the dugout. A bar will apear near the bottom of the screen that indicates argument intensity. Keep pressing [Y] as fast as you can to make a real strong argument. However, you will be ejected and the CPU will make all managerial decisions from now on. If you want to argue without being ejected, press [Y] only a few of times, so that about a one quarter or half of the argument intensity bar is filled.
Tinker Field
Spring Training Stadium Three is in reality Tinker Field in Orlando, Florida. The football stadium past the outfield the Citrus Bowl, home to the University of Central Florida's Golden Knights, and the 2004-2005 season Capitol One Bowl.
Argue calls
If you argue with Joe Torre at any intensity level, even none, he will be ejected. Do not argue with him unless it is at the end of the game.
Change music
When at any menu select screen, to change the music automatically move the [C-stick] clockwise. The songs will play in the normal order or the way you chose to play them. The [C-stick] might have to be rotated twice.
Creating good players for low pay
When creating a player, leave his bio, equipment, looks, hot zones, and batter tendencies alone. Set all of his batting and fielding stats to zero. Do the same with pitchers, but also make their pitches bad. Then, sign him to a seven year, $300,000 deal to the MLB. Then, edit their stats and make them perfect. This works for owner mode. When their contracts are up, release them and make new players. You can make them look however desired and give them whatever bio you want. Try making them born from July on in 1987 or the year that they turn 17.
Getting good players
To get a good player in dynasty or owner mode, create a player and make him very bad. Then, put him in the free agents and sign him to a seven year $700,000 contract. Then, edit him to be the best ever. You will save money and he will not complain about his contract.
Getting a good team together
If you get stuck with two fielders at the same position (for example Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Sheffield), just change the lower man's position to the opposite field. Sheffield goes up about 5-6 players in rank when you change him to left field.
1B to 3B
2B to SS
CF to LF
LF to RF
RF to LF
In owner mode its possible to have players such as like Albert Pujols, Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano, and any other all-star for a team salary of about $37 million. When you first start the game, go to the edit rosters screen. Select you favorite team and put anybody desired on there, from the best pitchers to the best hitters, at every position. Make them really bad players. Save and load the rosters then start a new owner mode. You can sign Pujols for example for seven years at $300,000. You can then increase his stats back up again. During that seven years he will never complain about his contract. After the seven years is up, if you still want him you can make him bad again before resigning him. This also works with pitchers
Recommended team
The following recommended players can be bought for very low salaries. In owner mode, a team like this has a good chance at winning a title . They are cheap and better yet they are young. However, because these players are younger they will generate less money from sponsors. Make sure you have some big guns like Guerrero, Rodriguez, or Pujols to raise the bar.
1B: Texeira (TEX) or Morneau (MIN)
2B: Uribe (CHW) or Rivas (MIN)
3B: Wright (NYM) or Blalock (TEX)
SS: Young (TEX)
LF: Mench (TEX) or Bay (PIT)
CF: Baldelli (TB) or Nix (TEX)
RF: Pena (?)
SP: Prior (CHC)
SP: Webb (ARI)
SP: Greinke (KC)
SP: Harden (OAK)
SP: Bonderman (DET)
RP: Nathan (MIN)
RP: Rincon (MIN)
RP: Ayala (WAS)
RP: Bauer (BAL)
C: Martinez (CLE) or Mauer (MIN)
The following team is recommended for owner mode. It is cheap and should help you lower the expense level of you team. Although some players are over $5 million, leave them on your team. Release all non-starters over 2 million
1B: Mark Texiera (TEX) or Aubrey Huff (TB)
2B: Mark Loretta (???)
3B: Bill Mueller (BOS)
SS: Jimmy Rollins (PHI)
LF: Jason Bay (PIT)
RF: Ichiro (SEA) or Vladimir Guerrero (ANA)
CF: Rocco Baldelli (TB)
SP: Johan Santana (MIN)
SP: Oliver Perez (PIT)
SP: Jake Peavy (SD)
SP: Mark Mulder (ATL)
SP: Esteban Loazia (CWS)
RP: Tim Worrell (PHI)
RP: Bueng Hung Kim (BOS)
CP: Eric Gagne (LA)
Create the following team after enabling the [Katie Roy] code or unlocking them normally. Note: They are all power hitters.
Lou Gehrig
Mike Schmidt
Honus Wanger
Al Kaline
Mickey Mantle
Babe Ruth
Johnny Bench
Jason Giambi
Phil Johnson
Alex Rodriguez
Ty Cobb
Derek Jeter
Billy Williams
Whether you are playing Dynasty or Owner mode, try to acquire the following players, which will be amazing future stars.
Matt Wiliamson (A team): Lancaster Jethawks (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Steve Brassard (AA team): New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays)
Craig Simontacchi (A team): Lake Elsinor Storm (San Diego Padres)
Wes Krukow: (A team): San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)
Should you acquire these players (recommended that you sign them when they are still playing single A ball, which would be your first year in Dynasty or Owner mode), place M. Williamson in left field, S. Brassard in right field, W. Krukow in center field and C. Simontacchi as a designated hitter. Call these players up to your AAA team. The following year, place them on your MLB team. If you wish, you can now trade one of them, or keep them. It seems best to trade Steve Brassard for a good infielder, because you outfield is now stacked. Matt Williamson is fast, Steve Brassard has a good arm, Wes Krukow has an amazing bat and very good fielding stats, and Craig Simontacchi is an amazing hitter.
If you want a good team sign some of these players. If your team is low on cash, make their stats really low and sign them. Then, raise them back up to normal or even higher if desired.
C: Jorge Posada or Ramon Hernandez
1B: Albert Pujols or Lance Berkman (he could also play OF)
2B: Chase Utley or Alfonso Soriano
3B: Alex Rodriguez or Scott Rolen
SS-Derek Jeter or Felipe Lopez
OF: Carlos Beltran, Jim Edmonds, Johnny Damon, Ichiro
SP: Mark Mulder, Roy Oswalt, Chris Carpenter, Brandon Webb, Pedro Martinez
RP: Jose Valverde, Joe Nathan, Mariano Rivera, Brian Fuentes
CP: Brad Lidge or Eric Gagne (Have the other one as a reliever)
Hidden image
Play at Oriole Stadium and hit with a left-handed hitter. Intentionally miss, then change views to see the pitch from above. Look directly over home plate to see a face. Pause game play and look carefully to find it.
Babe Ruth reference
After winning the Home Run Showdown, your player will point up like Babe Ruth did before his famous home run.
Glitch: All Legendary Players
Save your profile once you have 5,000 MVP Rewards points. Buy a Legendary Player but do not save your profile. Add the Legendary Player to a team then save your roster. Then, load your profile. You will still have 5,000 points and the Legendary Player will still be on the team. If you repeat this, you will be able to get all the Legendary Players on your existing teams.
Glitch: Camden Yards sign
On top of the clock in the outfield at the actual Camden Yards us a sign that reads "The Sun", which refers to the newspaper The Baltimore Sun. In the game, it reads "The Run".
Glitch: Citizens Bank Park differences
In the actual Citizens Bank Park, the small fence in center field has a fiberglass window near the top. It is missing from the game. Also the game includes the home run celebrations from the various ballparks, such as Bernie Brewer going down the slide at Miller Park. However they did not include the big bell ringing in the outfield at Citizens Bank Park.
Glitch: Fenway Park sign
In the real Fenway Park, there are big Coca-Cola bottles above the green monster. However, in the game the bottles are called Rip Cola.
In the real Fenway Park, there is a sign that reads "John Hancock". However, in the game the same sign reads "Fenway Park".