MLB employee doesn't think Mike Trout gets enough attention

True, he only has four top-2 MVP finishes in four years, a $150 million contract, the Subway endorsement and his own line of Nikes.

It's like the guy is in Siberia.

 

So, you think he'd be overlooked if he played in the Midwest or East?

He's an amazing player. That's my opinion of why he doesn't get more national exposure.

 

It would have been more of a factor 20 years ago. There are more opportunities for Eastern viewers to see West coast games now.

 

He isn't overlooked.

 

I think that's debatable. Certainly not overlooked by baseball fans. But he should have
more crossover star power appeal, as great as he is.

But, just my two cents. I've been wrong before. Once. In college, I think.

 

Meh. When I was little, I was familiar with the Dodgers, and I hated them, but I knew their line-up. Thanks to the Braves being in the NL West, and on TBS, I'm sure. In high school, I knew, and followed the Bash Brothers, and almost shit my pants when Ken Griffey Jr's rookie card stared back at me when I opened an Upper Deck pack.

I don't think it's an east/west thing as much as that baseball doesn't capture us the way it used to. I am a Nationals fan, but I probably knew more about the Dodgers back in the day than I do about the team I follow now.

 

National sports talk radio - understanding it is not the be all and end all barometer of sports interest - gives zero shrift to baseball. Year round.

It goes from football in the fall to NFL hot stove in February to basketball and NFL draft in the spring and to NBA playoffs to NBA free agency to NFL camps opening. With an occasional Ryan Lochte-type story.

When sports talk started 25-30 years ago, it was much more baseball oriented.

 

What is interesting about Verducci is that he is paid both as member of the "baseball media" and also as an official "baseball marketer."

It gives him a unique perspective, for sure.

 

Okay, Dick. My interest is piqued. Can you give a little more information on Verducci's other occupation? Link?

 

I reject the premise a little bit. People know Mike Trout. My 7-year-old knows Mike Trout.

To the extent they don't or that he doesn't get enough attention as Tom Verducci, employee of Major League Baseball, thinks he should, there are a few factors. One is that he plays baseball, which is very much a regional sport. You go to an Orioles game and there are 3,000 J.J. Hardy jersey T-shirts being worn. Ninety percent of the baseball-watching country doesn't know who the fuck J.J. Hardy is. Another problem is that, as someone pointed out, his damn team's no good. People know Jose Bautista not only because he flipped his bat, but because he had the opportunity to flip his bat in a game that makes SportsCenter and gets talk radio buzzing.

 

[P] - MLB Network

 

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