One of the more complicated and controversial debates among baseball fans is questioning who the true face of baseball is. Many feel the need for MLB to feature a prominent figure who embodies the game, and is recognizable by name and face to even the most casual sports fans.
The NFL boasts the likes of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and more recently Patrick Mahomes. The NBA possesses arguably the most marketable names in all of sports, from LeBron James to Stephen Curry. Even the NHL has Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, and Patrick Kane.
When one dives deeper into who the face of baseball really is, the question becomes more difficult. The easy answer is likely the Angels’ Mike Trout, although there are many issues with making an argument for the three-time MVP. For one thing, the superstar center fielder has only ever appeared in a single playoff series, when the Angels were handled by the Royals in the 2014 ALDS. Of course, this is not Trout’s fault – by any means – it is simply the truth of the situation. Another flaw in the argument for Trout is the fact that he resides on the West Coast, often playing in 10:00 EST games that the casual fan will usually miss.
However, the most important of Trout’s qualities that prevent his claim as the Face of Baseball is his personality. Once again, this is obviously not Trout’s fault. He is one of the few truly mellow and down-to-Earth superstars that the sports world has ever seen. Trout mostly keeps to himself, and never seeks to make headlines or hog the spotlight. A common saying is that “any publicity is good publicity,” and that often rings true with popular sports personalities. As one of the great baseball players of his generation, Trout does not receive nearly enough attention – yet, he is perfectly content with this reality.
-
Ep 120: Frank Clark To Denver, DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cook
by Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 8:12 pm
Another name that usually pops up in discussions regarding the face of baseball is the Yankees’ Aaron Judge. Playing for one of the famed franchises in the history of sports certainly helps, as does his recognizable face and larger-than-life height. Judge’s case was strongest after the 2017 season, in which he finished second in AL MVP voting as a rookie, mashing 52 homers. However, he has since been hampered with injuries, and has failed to replicate the magic of his first season. Further, Judge – like Trout – is not one to seek the spotlight. His limited time in the Majors and lack of a championship pedigree (which is key in the Bronx) leads to the conclusion that Judge is not suited to be crowned the face of baseball.
A player that can claim a World Series title on his résumé is José Altuve. His lovable and outgoing personality is also a plus; Altuve is one of the most universally well-liked figures in sports. However, the stain of the Astros’ cheating scandal has cast a dark cloud over the entire organization, and many baseball fans are extremely wary of anything related to the club. While the same may be true for the NFL’s Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the Altuve situation is much different, because he lacks to fame and longevity of Brady – one of football’s all-time greats.
When stepping back to view the game of baseball as a whole, there may not actually be one or two players than can serve as the face of the league. And while it may benefit MLB to have these type of figures, it’s not a major issue that they don’t. Baseball’s true stars are the teams themselves. The huge fan bases of the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Cubs are second-to-none among those from any sport in terms of loyalty, passion, and commitment to their club.
Baseball does not have a “Face of the Game” – but that’s alright. It doesn’t need one.
-
Ep 159: Remembering Norma Hunt With Chiefs Historian Bob Mooreby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Chiefs historian Bob Moore joins Clark and Ira to discuss the life of […]
-
Ep 158: Billy "White Shoes" Johnson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
Former Oilers star Billy "White Shoes" Johnson joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Understanding Post June 1 Cuts & Potential Trade Candidatesby LandryFootball.com on June 8, 2023 at 2:10 pm
One of the important dates on the NFL calendar has come and gone, with […]
-
See How Incoming SEC Freshman QB's Rankby LandryFootball.com on June 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Every year hundreds of high school quarterbacks receive college offers to […]
-
Ep 289: QB Xtreme with John Hogueby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
-
Ep 288: Coast 2 Coast 2-Copy Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 1:55 pm
-
Ep 287: BLeague Brings His A-Gameby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm
-
Ep 286: FPC Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 3:01 pm
-
Episode 3.12: Mini-Camp Preview with Craig Hoffmanby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 1:16 am
George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) hosts Craig Hoffman from the "Take Command […]
-
Episode 3.11: OTAs and Hot Topics w/Sam Fortier from the Washington Postby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 9:20 pm
George Carmi hosts Sam Fortier from the Washington Post to discuss the […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
After Connor Bedard going #1, who are some prospects to look at for the […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Areas of improvement, prospect look and AHL playoffs. Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Wednesday, June 7thby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Lou Lamoriello holds a press conference yesterday we talk about what was […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 770by Charlie Saunier on June 6, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Ep 770 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 6 & Preview Calder Cup Final […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Tuesday, June 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 5:20 pm
A brief look at game one of the Stanley Cup Final and potential draft […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Tuesday, April 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm
It is the Connor Bedard show at the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Will Connor […]
-
6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Mergeby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 2 win over the Heat and the recent […]
-
6/6 - Golden Knights Cruise; NBA Final Heads To Miamiby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Ian and John discuss the Golden Knights dominating win and look ahead to […]
-
6/5 - Heat Take Game 2; Golden Knights; Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Loveby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Ian and John discuss the Heat's win over the Nuggets, the Golden Knights […]
-
6/2 - Nuggets Take Game 1, Barry Bonds, Stanley Cup Chat w/ Jim Biringerby Full Press Coverage on June 2, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 1 win over the Heat, the upcoming […]
-
6/1 - NBA Finals Preview, Aaron Rodgers, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Ian and John discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Nuggets and Heat […]
-
5/30 - Heat Dominate Celtics; Vegas Advances; Jimmy Gby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics disappointing Game 7 performance against […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep 120: Frank Clark To Denver, DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cookby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 8:12 pm
-
Miami Dolphins Preview and Win totalsby Broken Controller Media on June 8, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC 289 - Malott vs Fugitby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Ep 289: QB Xtreme with John Hogueby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
-
6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Mergeby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC 289 - Ige vs Landwehrby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Wednesday, June 7thby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep. 248 - Would the Heat be the Most Unlikely NBA Champions Ever?by Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 9:22 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "Too Much Wrestling"by Boot 2 The Face on June 1, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Your boys are back talking ALL of the pro wrestling that happened this […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "PPV Predictions"by Boot 2 The Face on May 26, 2023 at 1:06 am
BIG weekend in wrestling and EJ and Rucker are here to predict!AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and WWE Night of Champions Review and CM Punk Returnby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they review AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and Night of Champions Previewby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they preview Double or […]
-
Ep 167: Ahmed Johnsonby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ahmed Johnson was a red-hot act in WWF in the mid to late 1990s. We looked […]