Baseball is not easy - just ask

[GeorgeCostanza16]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

He wasn't chosen for his on-field ability, he was chosen for his marketability to potential new consumers, many of whom could probably only name a few current MLB players (at most) anyways. Notice how he has no glove or bat on the cover image and not doing anything baseball related, instead he is showing of his gold chain. He is a fun, decent player who might help grow the game/sport. While some serious baseball gamers understandably might not feel he is "deserving" of the cover based on his statistics, they are likely to purchase the game (and/or future editions) regardless of who is on the cover. From a business and marketing perspective it makes sense why SDS would choose him.

Everyone who talks about how Jazz is "marketable" doesn't understand how marketing works lol. Listen, I work in the marketing industry. If you're trying to market a product or brand, you don't typically highlight your lesser-known/underperforming elements of that product or brand. You hit on the strengths, the things people know. Tbh, this was more of a favor to Jazz's personal brand than it could ever be to The Show itself.

I think with Jazz, they were trying to go the NBA route, which just doesn't work in MLB. It works in the NBA because they have way more prominent superstars. They've developed individual personalities and a "culture" that is more important than the game (one of the major reasons I don't really care about that league or sport anymore). MLB's strengths are the league's history and the game itself, not an individual player. So if you're going to have a cover athlete for this game, they have to be a mega superstar, or at least someone that people actually know. This is why Shohei, Judge, etc. are great cover picks. Brett Phillips is "fun" but there's no way he should be the cover athlete. I actually wonder why they didn't go with a Negro League player - particularly Satchel - this year since this is the first year they introduced that content into the game. Jazz just doesn't make sense - ESPECIALLY from a marketing angle haha.

[Therebelyell626]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Everyone who talks about how Jazz is "marketable" doesn't understand how marketing works lol. Listen, I work in the marketing industry. If you're trying to market a product or brand, you don't typically highlight your lesser-known/underperforming elements of that product or brand. You hit on the strengths, the things people know. Tbh, this was more of a favor to Jazz's personal brand than it could ever be to The Show itself.

I think with Jazz, they were trying to go the NBA route, which just doesn't work in MLB. It works in the NBA because they have way more prominent superstars. They've developed individual personalities and a "culture" that is more important than the game (one of the major reasons I don't really care about that league or sport anymore). MLB's strengths are the league's history and the game itself, not an individual player. So if you're going to have a cover athlete for this game, they have to be a mega superstar, or at least someone that people actually know. This is why Shohei, Judge, etc. are great cover picks. Brett Phillips is "fun" but there's no way he should be the cover athlete. I actually wonder why they didn't go with a Negro League player - particularly Satchel - this year since this is the first year they introduced that content into the game. Jazz just doesn't make sense - ESPECIALLY from a marketing angle haha.

True… but with all due respect to Joe, you put a guy like Joe Mauer on your cover two years in a row. And with the exception of hardcore baseball fans who will buy the game regardless, nobody outside of Minnesota cares. You can’t really have your cake and eat it too.

With that being said, being a lifelong angels fan aside I am really shocked Trout has never gotten a cover. For years we were told he’s the best player in MLB and has had one of the top DD cards for like 5-7 years. But dude not ever getting a cover is pretty shocking.

Me personally I like when the go the superstar/legends route like Judge or Griffey. But regardless of who’s on the cover I am still getting the game.

[GeorgeCostanza16]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

True… but with all due respect to Joe, you put a guy like Joe Mauer on your cover two years in a row. And with the exception of hardcore baseball fans who will buy the game regardless, nobody outside of Minnesota cares. You can’t really have your cake and eat it too.

With that being said, being a lifelong angels fan aside I am really shocked Trout has never gotten a cover. For years we were told he’s the best player in MLB and has had one of the top DD cards for like 5-7 years. But dude not ever getting a cover is pretty shocking.

Me personally I like when the go the superstar/legends route like Judge or Griffey. But regardless of who’s on the cover I am still getting the game.

I think Trout hasn't gotten a cover because he already has a deal with the Tap Baseball game or something like that and can't do it because of contractual obligations. Yeah, I'm gonna buy the game no matter who is on the cover as well, I was just pointing out that the "Jazz is marketable" concept doesn't really make any sense at all. I too wish they'd have more legends on the cover, would be so cool.

[NAFBUC]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

If nobody cared Jazz wouldnt be on the cover.

Good to know you are vested with JazzMan on the cover.

[NAFBUC]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

I thought this was going to be some type of interview with Jazz Chisholm.

Sorry to disappoint cb. I am just a forum poster with no connections. I am sure you can do the JC interview for OS.

[HeadCoach2.0]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Jazz has had 95 at bats and he is off the slow but decent start. As long as he stays injury free his numbers will improve

Julio Rodriguez a person many thought should have been on the cover has numbers that are similar to Jazz but nobody is talking about that.

Nobody is talking about the underwhelming performance of Rodriguez at all.

My main concern about Jazz is that he has a sub .700 ops right now. That is not acceptable by any means but he has plenty of at bats left and that will go up once he starts hitting better.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Jazz has had 95 at bats and he is off the slow but decent start. As long as he stays injury free his numbers will improve

Julio Rodriguez a person many thought should have been on the cover has numbers that are similar to Jazz but nobody is talking about that.

Nobody is talking about the underwhelming performance of Rodriguez at all.

My main concern about Jazz is that he has a sub .700 ops right now. That is not acceptable by any means but he has plenty of at bats left and that will go up once he starts hitting better.

Jazz trying to hard. Oncet he realize he doesn't have real pressure on him becuz he play in Miami, he will be okay. But baseball is hard though I'm still not sure where NAFBUC was going with this though.

[NAFBUC]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Jazz trying to hard. Oncet he realize he doesn't have real pressure on him becuz he play in Miami, he will be okay. But baseball is hard though I'm still not sure where NAFBUC was going with this though.

Good thoughts for a GOY.

[SmashMan]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Jazz trying to hard. Oncet he realize he doesn't have real pressure on him becuz he play in Miami, he will be okay. But baseball is hard though I'm still not sure where NAFBUC was going with this though.

Might be one of those "a guy holding his chain on my baseball game cover?!" guys

[Scott]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Similar numbers so far between Julio & Jazz actually


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[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Jazz changing positions from infield to outfield could also be distracting his mind from hitting. The season is only 1/6 done, his upside potential for this year is still huge. Time will tell.

[Friar Fanatic]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Do people actually sit there and stare at the cover art and fume about this?

[Madden08PCgmr]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Similar numbers so far between Julio & Jazz actually

I strenuously object and demand that be stricken from the record...

[Skippy85410]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

Do people actually sit there and stare at the cover art and fume about this?

No, but if he wasn't wearing his uniform, you would never know it was a baseball game. And on top of that, like we said, there's at least 50 players more deserving than him to be on the cover who never got their shot yet.

Trout finished in the top 5 in OPS for 9 consecutive seasons and is a no doubt HoFer. No other player has ever done that. How does he not get on a cover?

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Baseball is not easy - just ask

No, but if he wasn't wearing his uniform, you would never know it was a baseball game. And on top of that, like we said, there's at least 50 players more deserving than him to be on the cover who never got their shot yet.

Trout finished in the top 5 in OPS for 9 consecutive seasons and is a no doubt HoFer. No other player has ever done that. How does he not get on a cover?

He may have turned them down. It was several years before he allowed The Show to face scan him.