Video game coders have to focus on a lot of details, but it’s the small, random ones that can make players laugh.  Or maybe we give them credit anyway when a coincidence happens.

I started playing MLB The Show 16 a few weeks ago, and one of the game’s modes lets you control a player as he goes from being drafted, playing through the minor leagues and hopefully making the majors.  You can name him whatever you want, but if the announcers haven’t already pre-recorded that name, then you won’t hear it during games.

To get around that, they show you all the first and last names available, plus random nicknames like “slugger” and “The Kid” that you can use if your first/last choices aren’t there.  After a quick search, I discovered that Babe was among the first names and Ruth in the lasts.  How could I not make a somewhat overweight slugging centerfielder named after the Great Bambino?

Oh, and he has a weird face and blond hair and a bushy blond beard.

The funny moment came after showing my stuff to scouts and entering the draft to find out which franchise would employ the surefire superstar.  I watched as team after team made their selections, some I would love to join and others I was glad to avoid.

You should only need two guesses to figure out where the code put a guy named Babe Ruth.  The correct answer is the New York Yankees.

After the laughter, this was obviously disappointing.  But fear not, the game does allow you to request a trade if you’re unhappy with your situation.  I decided to stick it out in the Yankees’ minor league system as I improved my skills.  The only problem was my habit of randomly jumping and diving on plays that my fellow fielders obviously had under control.

Apparently the coders frown up on that and after one such move informed me that Ruth was hurt.  Pretty darn hurt.

Tearing an Achilles tendon was not the way I imagined my first season (in AA) ending.  Fortunately Babe rebounded to get a call-up the next season to AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre, and was able to participate in the greatest game of all-time.

That’s 29 innings, most of which we played tied at 4-4.  Babe helped break things open in the five-run 29th, and superhero pitching legend Ivan Nova pitched 12.1 innings in relief to get the win.  Nova only had to throw about 200 pitches, and somehow when I advanced to the next day he was not on the disabled list.

So to recap, if you’re an outfielder and you dive randomly, you get a six-month devastating injury.  But step on the mound and throw twice as many pitches as most starters and you’re totally fine.

At least I can report that Babe finally made it to the majors after two seasons in the minor leagues.  All it took was getting traded to the Padres.