Signing an "exclusive long-term" agreement with both the MLB and Derek Jeter himself, Take Two Interactive is investing major funding in its 2K franchise, expanding its brand appeal and marketing to a broader group than ever before.

"I'm excited to be partnering with an industry leader like Take-Two and I look forward to working together to take the video game experience to the next level for baseball fans," remarked Derek Jeter.

Take-Two's exclusive, long-term deals, which begin in Spring 2006, enable Take-Two to publish officially licensed Major League Baseball video games on console, PC and handheld platforms. The exclusives include rights to the marks of all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs, MLB players, Major League ballparks and Minor League Baseball Clubs, as well as MLB.com online content.

Well, if they can expand the market for baseball games back to the R.B.I Baseball days (don't start me on Baseball Stars for NeoGeo Pocket) by doing something other than having players light on fire when they punch the shortstop in a terrific display of sportsmanship, they might make a believer out of me.