It was the first game in the series to feature then-Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa on the cover.

[5][6] GamePro called the PC version "a good game that's left on the verge of becoming a great one.

"[24][c] Brad Cook of AllGame gave the PC version four stars out of five, saying that it was "definitely worth picking up if you're a diehard baseball fan.

The ability to play out current players' careers and get them into the Hall of Fame while nurturing the paths of newcomers is worth the purchase price alone.

"[25] However, Mark Kanarick gave the PlayStation version three-and-a-half stars, saying, "Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001 is really on its way up.