MLB The Show 25: Common Courtesy Program Breakdown (UPDATED)

Looking for a program that rewards chaos? The Common Courtesy Program in MLB The Show 25 is as tongue-in-cheek as it gets—fitting for an April Fools drop that may or may not be part of something larger. With absurd missions and a grindable star system, it's both a meme and a mystery.

How to Earn Stars

There are four moments that dish out 12 total stars. Easy enough.

Except for the fact that you're not supposed to pass the Moment. No, that isn't a typo. Be sure to read the fine print on the Moments.

• You MUST get caught stealing with Ashburn. Steal, then stop and let the defense tag you.
• You MUST make 4 outs without actually getting on base with Musial. Bunting should do the trick.
• You MUST give up 4 runs with Blue. Just intentionally walk hitters until you complete the mission.
• You MUST strikeout with Morgan. Just swing as early as possible as the pitcher throws the ball.

Then you’ve got three PXP missions, each requiring 64 PXP with the program rewards of Joe Morgan, Vida Blue, and Richie Ashburn. These cards are earned in the program itself and completing each of their missions is worth 5 stars apiece.

Additionally, there's a repeatable PXP mission where you earn 5 stars per 500 PXP using common-rated players (64 overall and under). It’s repeatable, so go nuts.

The Stat Missions Are... Something Else

Here’s where things get unhinged. Each of these ridiculous missions earns 4 stars:

• Strike out 15 times with center fielders
• Give up 20 hits with starting pitchers
• Make 3 fielding errors with second basemen
• Strike out 15 times with Chicago Cubs hitters
• Give up 10 runs with Kansas City Royals pitchers
• Get caught stealing 5 times with Athletics hitters
• Strike out 15 times with St. Louis Cardinals hitters

Yes, SDS is literally rewarding bad baseball. Peak April Fools energy. And common organizational strategy of the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates.

What's the Reward?

Complete the collection of all four program cards, including the legend Stan Musial, and you’ll unlock a Deluxe Pack. Take note that the collection is listed as expiring on 4/2 at 12pm Pacific time.

But here's the kicker: the program goes all the way to 1,000 stars. And no, it’s not actually possible to get there right now. The final reward is a “Nice Try, Ramone” stadium sound—a cheeky nod to the dev team at SDS. Or it is possible for the absolute sickos amongst us.

Final Thoughts

Is this program a joke? Probably. Will it be expanded? Possibly. Is it a setup for a surprise Egg Hunt like we’ve seen in years past? Who the hell knows? The cards in the program are Last Ride and Veteran cards, so perhaps the looming collection revolves around these card series?

Until then, go forth and whiff 15 times with Cubs hitters—you’ll be rewarded for your shame.

UPDATE

The Common Courtesy Program was indeed a teaser for much better rewards. For those that complete the program by the specified date on 4/2, a free Deluxe pack was awarded. Now, completing that collection rewards players with Diamond versions of the featured Common players.

85 overall All-Star CF Richie Ashburn (Philadelphia Phillies)

True Overall: 86.19 - #17 CF

Meta Overall: 71.83 #43 CF

86 overall All-Star SP Vida Blue (Athletics)

True Overall: 86.03 - #31 SP

Meta Overall: 69.94 - #36 SP

86 overall Contributor 2B Joe Morgan (Houston Astros)

True Overall (best position): 86.21 - #15 2B

Meta Overall: 78.08 - #17 2B

88 overall All-Star CF Stan Musial (St. Louis Cardinals)

True Overall (best position): 91.29 - #5 1B

Meta Overall: 90.14 - #6 1B

Extra Innings Thoughts

These Diamond versions of the common players earned from the program make the program worth it.

But Stan the Man is truly the man.

This card is kinda bonkers for an early game 88 overall. You won't catch me starting him in his primary CF position, but as a 1B, he immediately became my starting cornerman. I love Musial's swing and actually love the balance of his left-handedness with high Contact for my current lineup.

Although it's dawning on me that he's still kinda ass in the field and maybe Big Mac should stay at 1B while Stan DH's.

Either way, these are the true rewards for the Common Courtesy Program. Oh, and you get the Nice Try, Ramone! stadium sound too as collecting the Common versions of these legends pays out like 900+ program stars.

Very fun change of pace program with some cool rewards.