Ronald Acuña

[Shadowsonic2004]

Originally Posted by pewe

Unfortunately outside hardcore baseball fans, most don’t know / follow him... definitely not outside baseball.... because he’s always been shy about the media spotlight

This has created a lot of teeth gnashing by MLB brass, who want him to be a marketing power... it’s probably what will hold him back from long term greatness, which comes from transcending his sport

Who are people thinking the face of baseball is. I can't think of anyone currently playing that would stand out to a casual fan or non sports person.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by Shadowsonic2004

Who are people thinking the face of baseball is. I can't think of anyone currently playing that would stand out to a casual fan or non sports person.

You’ve identified why MLB is anxious to see Acuna or someone else step into what they’d hoped Trout would become...

A good opening for Acuna, if he positions himself to get that media support


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[Wiseguy917]

Originally Posted by Shadowsonic2004

Who are people thinking the face of baseball is. I can't think of anyone currently playing that would stand out to a casual fan or non sports person.

There is no face of baseball right now. In my area (NY/NJ) it’s Judge. He’s in a lot of commercials that we see on our airways everyday, but he’s def not the face of baseball as a whole. That position is up for grabs. It will never be trout, he doesn’t want it. Personality isn’t there. Depends who the marketing machine attaches to.

[Shadowsonic2004]

Originally Posted by pewe

You’ve identified why MLB is anxious to see Acuna or someone else step into what they’d hoped Trout would become...

A good opening for Acuna, if he positions himself to get that media support

Originally Posted by Wiseguy917

There is no face of baseball right now. In my area (NY/NJ) it’s Judge. He’s in a lot of commercials that we see on our airways everyday, but he’s def not the face of baseball as a whole. That position is up for grabs. It will never be trout, he doesn’t want it. Personality isn’t there. Depends who the marketing machine attaches to.

By default it goes to the best player then and that one is an easy answer,

[Geoff G]

Old snicker and Ronny playing opossum for the Mets .. then he gunna go crazy on Thor and get 4 bags watch


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[Longhorn]

Originally Posted by pewe

Unfortunately outside hardcore baseball fans, most don’t know / follow him... definitely not outside baseball.... because he’s always been shy about the media spotlight

This has created a lot of teeth gnashing by MLB brass, who want him to be a marketing power... it’s probably what will hold him back from long term greatness, which comes from transcending his sport


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I've heard this narrative repeated, but I really don't buy it. Anecdotal data suggests that casual fans (friends and fam that maybe attend 3 or fewer MLB games per year and watch only a handful of broadcasts) do know of Trout, though they may not have a chance watch him closely. I think that's just the nature of baseball though. I would consider myself a pretty enthusiastic fan for example, but I only catch full games from a couple of teams on the regular (and the Angels aren't one of them, though I do have a couple of Trout pre-rookies from 2009 and I fully admire and respect his pedigree).

Also (maybe less anecdotal and maybe more empirical), here is an illustration from Google Trends comparing search interest in Trout v Judge v Acuna over the past 12 months. FWIW Trout dominates every state but Georgia:



Also, here is the URL where you can add and subtract other players or terms for yourself: https://trends.google.com/trends/exp...hl=en-US&sni=5

[senorlaverga]

I am a newly born again baseball fan as of about a month ago. If you would have asked me who the current face of baseball is, I would have guessed Aaron Judge just because I saw his name mentioned a lot last year. I knew the name Brian Trout but had no idea how much better he was than everyone else.

I also had no idea what WAR or WRC are and don’t want to know.

[TarjetasBéisbol]

Originally Posted by senorlaverga

I am a newly born again baseball fan as of about a month ago. If you would have asked me who the current face of baseball is, I would have guessed Aaron Judge just because I saw his name mentioned a lot last year. I knew the name Brian Trout but had no idea how much better he was than everyone else.

Yes, Brian is way above everyone else.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by TarjetasBéisbol

Yes, Brian is way above everyone else.

More evidence


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[pewe]

Originally Posted by Longhorn

I've heard this narrative repeated, but I really don't buy it. Anecdotal data suggests that casual fans (friends and fam that maybe attend 3 or fewer MLB games per year and watch only a handful of broadcasts) do know of Trout, though they may not have a chance watch him closely. I think that's just the nature of baseball though. I would consider myself a pretty enthusiastic fan for example, but I only catch full games from a couple of teams on the regular (and the Angels aren't one of them, though I do have a couple of Trout pre-rookies from 2009 and I fully admire and respect his pedigree).



Also (maybe less anecdotal and maybe more empirical), here is an illustration from Google Trends comparing search interest in Trout v Judge v Acuna over the past 12 months. FWIW Trout dominates every state but Georgia:







Also, here is the URL where you can add and subtract other players or terms for yourself: https://trends.google.com/trends/exp...hl=en-US&sni=5

Does Trout have any national endorsement deals from top consumer brands (not baseball)? Is he used as the face of products?

I can’t think of any I’ve ever seen in airports, billboards around town, on tv, etc...

That is the level I’m talking about... unless he gets there, he is always just ring fenced as another good baseball player. This is what MLB is soooo concerned about, and why they are looking beyond Trout now, as it seems his ship has sailed

As much as we have hand wringing about the purity of sport on here... this is media / entertainment, and if your top bill doesn’t attract crowds, no matter how talented, you have to move on

And this is the Acuna channel - we should all be psyched... a real possible opening for Acuna to step into


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[Seven Costanza]

I'm not sure Acuna can get to "face of baseball" status without 2 important factors.

He has the 3 Griffey traits of swag, swing, and smile (granted Griffey's swing can never be topped imo). His gameplay appeals to all genders and ethnicities. BUT, in order to get the status of the "Face of Baseball" he needs to 1) Play the lead role in a World Series win and 2) probably most important, drop the interpreter and learn the language. People want to hear the star, even if the english is broken.

[TheGZA]

Originally Posted by wyguy11

Ima let that slide over me like fish...


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Righteous Gemstones reference?

[Boo]

Who cares about a little hip tightness, BO needs 40-40 or many will explode. Team accomplishments don't mean anything, just get Acuna to 40-40. LMAO

[mattglet]

Originally Posted by pewe

Does Trout have any national endorsement deals from top consumer brands (not baseball)? Is he used as the face of products?

I can’t think of any I’ve ever seen in airports, billboards around town, on tv, etc...

Subway and Super Pretzel.

Mostly proves your point.

[jrg1128]

For all of the Trout talk I'll just say this. In 40-50 years, when people start to reminisce on who the best players of the early 2000's were, Trout will be at the very top of the list. If you think that his lack of media spotlight or large endorsement deals will "hold him back from long term greatness," I don't know what to tell you, other than you're wrong.

Maybe someone else does take over the face of MLB to those that don't really pay attention to baseball, but it doesn't change the fact that Trout is going to be the best player of his era, barring injury or a huge decline in performance.

Oh yeah, and go Acuna!

[pewe]

Originally Posted by jrg1128

For all of the Trout talk I'll just say this. In 40-50 years, when people start to reminisce on who the best players of the early 2000's were, Trout will be at the very top of the list. If you think that his lack of media spotlight or large endorsement deals will "hold him back from long term greatness," I don't know what to tell you, other than you're wrong.

Maybe someone else does take over the face of MLB to those that don't really pay attention to baseball, but it doesn't change the fact that Trout is going to be the best player of his era, barring injury or a huge decline in performance.

Oh yeah, and go Acuna!

And yet, you already are saying folks won't say Rodriguez, Bonds, Griffey, Jeter, Pedro, Rivera, Pujols, etc.??? I'm not sure folks won't have arguments, rather than just acquiesce that Trout is best... I think his lack of brand and a fading memory will make it harder for him

[Rjk214]

Originally Posted by Shadowsonic2004

Who are people thinking the face of baseball is. I can't think of anyone currently playing that would stand out to a casual fan or non sports person.

Kris Bryant was on pace to be the "face" of baseball. He was probably the most recognizable face. But that has since derailed as injuries occurred and what not.

MLB is definitely searching right now!

[sigmachi]

Originally Posted by mattglet

Subway and Super Pretzel.

Mostly proves your point.

also Body Armor sports water, his own Nike line, and Old Hickory bat.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by sigmachi

also Body Armor sports water, his own Nike line, and Old Hickory bat.

Body Armor Sports Water (which I never even heard of before this) doesn't even have his picture on their web site

Nike's line is just baseball shoes, mostly (they literally only have 12 products related to him on the market right now)... so that falls into the category of "doesn't move the needle on anyone who is not into baseball"

Old Hickory bat... very very baseball

He is weak spokesperson right now

[wyguy11]

Originally Posted by TheGZA

Righteous Gemstones reference?

That just made my bird twitch baby billy, don’t be running through the house with a pickle in your mouth misbehaving.

-Brian Trout


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[IndySportsCards]

Originally Posted by senorlaverga

I knew the name Bruce Trout but had no idea how much better he was than everyone else..

You mean, Bruce Trout. Fixed it for you.

[jrg1128]

Originally Posted by pewe

And yet, you already are saying folks won't say Rodriguez, Bonds, Griffey, Jeter, Pedro, Rivera, Pujols, etc.??? I'm not sure folks won't have arguments, rather than just acquiesce that Trout is best... I think his lack of brand and a fading memory will make it harder for him

Bonds, Griffey, and Pedro aren't even Trout era players. Many years later, stats stand out over how someone was marketed during their playing time. If Trout continues his career trajectory, he will be at the top of statistical leaderboards among players of his era. This is why Trout will reach the level of greatness that you for some reason don't think he can. How he was marketed will have no bearing in 20-30 years.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by mattglet

Subway and Super Pretzel.

Mostly proves your point.

Subway sponsorship wasn't renewed over two years ago now... I can't find the status of the Super Pretzel sponsorship...

Examples of the MLB consternation at Mike Trout and his inability to be a marketing force:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/s...ut-angels.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ing/793265002/

https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/30/...b-cbb8442702c2

[The_Reverend]

Face of baseball might be a stretch for any of th current players. Most kids outside of baseball don’t really know Trout, but Jeter, Griffey crossed over. If you asked a baseball fan who is the best athlete in football they would say Brady. If you asked a baseball fan who is the best in basketball they would say LeBron. If you asked a baseball fan who is the best in baseball there would be lots of debate.

Most people would not agree on the best in baseball because they have too many dang stats. I still don’t get WAR and all those stats. Winning is the ultimate thing people judge the best on and not individual stats. Like it or not, Trout is great, but how many times has he been to the Big Dance?

It is not Wins Above Replacement that matter, but at the end of the season woh is Wearing A Ring.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by jrg1128

Bonds, Griffey, and Pedro aren't even Trout era players. Many years later, stats stand out over how someone was marketed during their playing time. If Trout continues his career trajectory, he will be at the top of statistical leaderboards among players of his era. This is why Trout will reach the level of greatness that you for some reason don't think he can. How he was marketed will have no bearing in 20-30 years.

I didn't say he won't be statistically great... the challenge I have one these message boards is piecing apart when someone is talking "baseball good" vs. "baseball card good"... he is already baseball good... to maintain "baseball card good", though requires a long term brand... you need people who never saw him play, be in awe of him because they heard about him

Its like Mohammed Ali, as someone pointed out in another thread... maybe not the greatest boxer of all time, but one of the most loved!

This is why Mantle's cards are the prize... he doesn't crack the top 20 baseball players of all time, but is more desired than most above him... its brand that matters more than having the top 10 or 5 or 1 performance of all time.