Celebrities and baseball legends alike turned out for 2KSports’ “Million Dollar Challenge” today at the MLB Fan Cave in lower Manhattan.

“Jersey Shore’s” DJ Pauly D, Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson, Hall of Fame relief pitcher Goose Gossage and the winner of last year’s “Million Dollar Challenge” Wade McGilberry were all on hand to watch as handfuls of gamers tried to throw the first perfect game in MLB 2K11 and nab the $1 million prize purse.

With McGilberry giving tips to the gamers and Pauly D spinning up something fierce, I got the chance to talk to Jackson and Gossage, about the game, MLB’s Opening Day and expectations for the 2011 season.

Jackson, runner-up for last year’s American League Rookie of the Year, has been playing video games since he was a kid, and used to create himself in baseball games to play alongside one of his heroes.

“I would always create myself, I’d always play outfield for the Mariners. I always played out there with Griffey. I had loved him, I had his cleats, I wore his jersey and everything,” Jackson said.

Now that he’s a legitimate star in the majors, Jackson doesn’t have to create himself anymore. He even uses himself in Home Run Derby while playing with his teammates on the road.

“Oh man when you have the chance to see yourself in a game like this, it’s an awesome feeling. When we play on the road there is a lot of Home Run Derby going on, I usually pick myself but throw Mags (Magglio Ordonez) and Miggy (Miguel Cabrera) in there too,” Jackson said.

The best gamer on the Tigers, well that title goes to one of their biggest free agent acquisitions according to Jackson.

“I hear Victor Martinez is pretty good at gaming, we’ll have to see soon,” Jackson said.

As for who he would pick to throw a perfect game, Jackson stayed loyal and picked the Tigers’ ace, Justin Verlander.

When asked about a potential sophomore slump, Jackson didn’t seem too concerned.

“I think that’s just something that just goes around (the Sophomore Slump), I don’t really buy into it much. I always go out there with the intention to do well and it’s a tough game but if you put in the effort you’ll feel good about it,” Jackson said.

Jackson will be key to the Tigers’ success this season, something he believes they will have a great deal of in 2011.

“I honestly think that we’ll go farther this year, we look good right now, we look like a strong team. If everybody stays healthy I think we have a great chance to make the playoffs,” Jackson said.

After talking with Jackson, I had the opportunity to talk with MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage.

Gossage, who admittedly isn’t an avid gamer, due to fears of getting “addicted,” did say the level of realism in 2K11 is amazing.

“I was just playing the game this morning and its fun, and it’s very difficult. I cannot believe the timing and the level of practice needed to be really good, I couldn’t even imagine throwing a perfect game, it’s like real life,” Gossage said.

Gossage wasn’t only impressed with 2K11, he was also impressed with the Yankees’ Opening Day win against the Tigers.

“It’s great, and important to get that first W under your belt,” Gossage said.

After spending the entire spring with the Yankees and hearing all of the talk about the Red Sox, Gossage has embraced the Yankees’ role in the AL East and expects big things.

“I like the team a lot, and a lot of people are counting them out, but I’d rather chase than be chased, I like to be the underdog.

There’s a lot of pressure on the Red Sox and they are supposed to win it. Sure on paper they have a great team but the Yankees have a great team and it’s going to come down to who can stay healthy, health plays a big part in success,” Gossage said.

He didn’t sell the Rays short either.

“You can’t count out Tampa either, that whole eastern division is going to be tough, it’s like when I was playing they called it the Beasts of the East, it was a tremendous division back then just as it is today. We’re going to see a great summer of baseball,” Gossage said.

Gossage even went on to talk about his famous moustache, and said it stacks up with the best facial hair in the game today, including Brian Wilson’s famous beard.

“Oh I think I’m much better looking than he is. It’s a nice beard yeah but it doesn’t have any character, he just looks like a lumberjack or something,” Gossage said.

As for who the Hall of Famer thinks is among the game’s elite pitchers, he stuck to the norm and went with MLB 2K11’s cover athlete Roy Halladay amongst others.

“There’s a handful of great starting pitchers. The Phillies have a tremendous starting four, and there are some great young arms out there in San Francisco. For the money, Halladay, (Tim) Lincecum, CC (Sabathia) and Phil Hughes is a kid that you need to watch,” Gossage said.

With incredible live entertainment and the presence of MLB greats both past and present, 2KSports put together the Perfect environment for gamers and baseball fans alike.