The MLB is one of the most moneyed and lucrative sports leagues in North America, but despite being a titan on the field, it has fallen behind when it comes to its marketing. Major League Baseball should have capitalized on Seiya Suzuki’s admiration for Mike Trout as well as his career-high 42 home runs last year by teaming up with him for exclusive content through social media or even hosting an event at Yankee Stadium like they did with Bryce Harper.
The “mike trout high school” is a highlight reel of Mike Trout’s incredible game. It showcases the amazing talent that the baseball player has. It also highlights how close he came to playing for multiple different teams.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels gets the highest respect and affection from one of Japan’s most powerful people in baseball. If only MLB gave the same respect and dedication to the game’s top player.
Trout is already regarded as one of baseball’s best players. Seiya Suzuki, the new Chicago Cubs outfielder, gave the Halos outfielder his flowers at an introduction news conference over the weekend, demonstrating his excellence across the Pacific Ocean. He’s a once-in-a-generation talent who also serves as a fantastic ambassador for the sport.
MLB, on the other hand, has continuously failed to appropriately promote Trout to the general public. And, as Suzuki’s latest endorsement suggests, the league has squandered a huge chance with its constant gaffes.
Mike Trout was previously accused by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for being difficult to sell.
Rob Manfred responding to report that American population has same awareness of Mike Trout as they do Kenneth Faried: “Player marketing requires one thing for sure — the player. You cannot market a player passively.” Trout: “I do as much as I can.” pic.twitter.com/EZPZhJxqY6
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 18, 2018
Trout had already won two American League MVP Awards by the summer of 2018 and was vying for a third. In his 26th season, he had easily established himself as baseball’s top player and was already regarded as one of the all-time greats.
Commissioner Manfred somehow blamed the sport’s public face for the public’s lack of understanding of his abilities.
Manfred said in 2018 (h/t Darren Rovell of Action Network) that, for all intents and purposes, it takes two to tango. Trout responded by saying he was doing everything in his power to grow the game.
We’ll probably go with Trout on this one.
Sure, it’s simpler to raise the profile of more vocal individuals, but Trout is naturally restrained. There are no excuses when you have a player who is really exceptional. Major League Baseball should have done everything possible to elevate Mike Trout’s status as one of the top athletes in the world.
Some would argue that Trout’s visibility is harmed by the Angels’ failure to enter the playoffs. In his career, he’s only played October baseball once, in 2014. But why should he bear any of the responsibility for the company’s repeated front-office failures?
To be honest, Manfred and his colleagues at the league’s headquarters in New York City have never had a strong grasp on how to communicate to players in a mutually beneficial way. When St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright chastised Manfred for almost solely side with owners during the MLB lockout, he implied as much.
It’s a difficult scenario, made all the more perplexing by how simple it should be to sell great talent.
Individual genius speaks for itself, as Seiya Suzuki’s passion for Trout demonstrates.
When the Cubs unveiled Suzuki over the weekend, reporters were curious as to why he picked the No. 27 jersey. His response was straightforward.
Suzuki, who talked with the help of an interpreter for the most part, leaned towards the microphone. He made it quite obvious who he praised as his baseball idol in just five words.
“I adore you, Mike Trout,” he says.
–Seiya Suzuki, Cubs outfielder, at his first press conference
Keep in mind that Suzuki is one of the most eagerly awaited Japanese imports in recent memory. He signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Cubs, the highest contract ever for a Japanese position player.
Suzuki, on the other hand, aspires to be like Trout. That says a lot about how important the three-time MVP is in the game.
Trout has won the admiration of one of baseball’s top international stars. Making the American audience (and the rest of the world) realize why he’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent with five-tool ability shouldn’t be too tough.
Rob Manfred and the rest of MLB must step up their efforts to promote the future Hall of Famer both locally and overseas. Shohei Ohtani, his Angels colleague and two-way superstar, needs the same type of support.
Baseball must put forth the effort to raise the sport’s profile.
Left to Right: Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Image and Chris Bernacchi/Getty Images | Seiya Suzuki (L) and Mike Trout (R) |
MLB now has the responsibility of repairing the harm caused by the lockout.
The players were shut out by the owners. Despite the fact that some fans were turned off by the players’ tenacity during labor talks, the league office and owners are mostly to blame for alienating the baseball community and lowering the sport’s appeal in recent years.
If baseball is to make up ground, it must tap into the richness of talent found across the league. It should start with Trout and work its way down.
To its credit, Major League Baseball has embraced phrases like “Let The Kids Play.” Ken Griffey Jr. was appointed as a senior adviser to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, with a focus on youth operations and diversity.
Nonetheless, the league must do more, particularly in relation to Trout. Manfred and his associates cannot let his talents and clout go to waste.
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