20 Candidates Besides Andrew McCutchen for MLB ’13 The Show Cover
Show Me Whatcha Got!
Being on the cover of MLB: The Show is one of the most prestigious things that a player can receive. Granted, it’s not a trophy or anything, but your face is plastered in front of millions of owners of the game for the whole season. That has to count for something, right?
I always treat the releasing of The Show as the true Opening Day of the MLB season. Once I get the game, I know and feel that baseball is right around the corner, which is a feeling I will never grow out of. It also gives me something to do during the boring month of March that leads up to the season. Well, I guess it’s not boring if your March Madness bracket isn’t toast, but that’s been the case for me since 2004.
On the cover this year is Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates. While I love McCutchen and think he’s a great player, I don’t really think he’s the best choice for the cover for a couple of reasons. First off, the Pittsburgh Pirates really aren’t a marketable team. I realize the franchise is marketing McCutchen more than the Pirates but nevertheless. Also, if I asked you to name ten baseball players off the top of your head, I don’t feel that McCutchen would be one of those ten - - he just isn’t all that mainstream yet. Although, I would buy the game if Cesar Izturis was on the cover, so it doesn’t matter to me all that much.
Having said all that, here are the 20 players that I feel would be better cover boys for MLB: The Show ’13. It should be noted that Justin Verlander was excluded due to him working with the 2K Series.
Adrian Beltre
This is my only biased pick on this list. I really don't think it would be a good idea to put Beltre on the cover, but this is just a friendly reminder that he is one of the best players in baseball. I really don't think he gets the respect he deserves.
Craig Kimbrel
Although he's just a closer, he might turn into one of the best closers in the history of the game. The insane numbers Kimbrel has put up in his first two seasons aren't even video game numbers - - they feel like they are make believe.
David Price
Maybe it would be a good idea to promote the 2012 AL Cy Young winner? It would give something for Tampa to rally behind.
Felix Hernandez
With Felix on the cover, the game would fly off the shelves in the Pacific Northwest. And he did throw a perfect game last season, so there could definitely be a nice video package dedicated to that in the introduction.
David Wright
I'm pretty sure Wright has been on the cover of The Show in its infancy stages, but he is coming off the best season in his career. Plus, you always have to respect the New York market.
RA Dickey
Let's face it: there isn't a pitcher that you dread facing more than RA Dickey. Hitting the knuckleball is the one thing I have not figured out about this game yet. In fact, if I ever face Dickey, it's the game I rest all my starters. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Adam Jones
With the Baltimore Orioles being one of the better stories in baseball last season, it wouldn't have been a bad idea to put the face of the Orioles on the cover. I mean, it could be their only chance.
Giancarlo Stanton
If they did put Stanton on the cover, it probably would have been a good idea to just give him a generic uniform or hat, seeing as he probably won't stay in Miami for too much longer.
Joey Votto
I feel pretty confident in saying that Joey Votto is the best hitter in all of baseball. He may not have the counting numbers like some other players, but there isn't a player that is in more control at the plate than Votto.
Evan Longoria
Evan Longoria is the best third baseman in baseball and he dates a model. Every man should strive to become Evan Longoria, even if it's in the video game world.
Robinson Cano
It's kind of shocking that Cano hasn't been on the cover of a video game yet: he's probably the best second baseman in the league, plays for the Yankees, and a pretty likable guy, unless you're a Billy Butler fan.
Chipper Jones
Maybe it''s because I love Chipper, but it would be kind of cool to pay tribute to him with the cover.
Stephen Strasburg
The only reason why Strasburg isn't higher on my list is due to the fact he's such a boring guy. He's my favorite pitcher in all of baseball, but it seems that the man is dull as can be.
Josh Hamilton
It's rather evident that Josh Hamilton is a very popular guy, seeing as he basically doubled everyone in all-star voting, so The Show might as well use him to market the game.
Ryan Braun
I hope that Braun's 2012 season exonerated him from being a cheat, considering his 2012 season was probably better than his MVP season in 2011 where he allegedly used PEDs.
Matt Kemp
The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be one of the most interesting stories in 2013. And with Matt Kemp as the face of the team, it will be his team throughout the season.
Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper is one of the most exciting, young players in the game of baseball. I know I would have been all for a Harper cover, even though he can't even have a celebratory drink for the occasion. I guess it's a good thing he doesn't drink at all.
Buster Posey
I've said it once and I will say it again - - Buster Posey is the Tom Brady of baseball. Posey is a World Series champion and the 2012 MVP - - what more can a guy do to make the cover?
Miguel Cabrera
Okay, the Triple Crown was something that could only be done in video games. I mean, I won the Triple Crown with Adam Dunn because I hit .330 with him in last year's game. That isn't happening in real life, but Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown, surprisingly, really did happen.
Mike Trout
If there is a list that involves the words "best", "exciting", or "amazing". Mike Trout will be my number one until it's been proven that he isn't a robot.
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