As players such as Red Sox DH David Ortiz and Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez near retirement, part of MLB’s latest conundrum is that its most appealing stars "are not yet among its most recognizable," according to Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY. In '16 Q Scores, Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, who is in his second season, scored "highest among active players in appeal among sports fans, with a 25% mark," but his "national recognition was 38%." Nationals RF Bryce Harper "was more recognizable, at 53%, with 24% appeal," but Angels CF Mike Trout "checked in at 20% appeal." Q Scores Exec VP Henry Schaefer said, "Right now, the retired major league players have significantly more appeal than active ones." He added, "Somebody like A-Rod ... he stirs the pot. He generates interest for fans who come to see him play." Rodriguez' awareness Q Score rated 68% this year, "higher than baseball’s burgeoning young stars" like Harper, Trout and Bryant. All current MLBers also "lag behind" Derek Jeter’s 74% recognition and the 30% appeal of HOFers Ken Griffey Jr. and Cal Ripken Jr. Lacques notes the "occasionally flamboyant Harper has appeared" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live,", while Trout and his "workmanlike personality haven’t found, or sought, a grander stage beyond a national sandwich ad." Those players and the Cubs’ "slew of young stars such as Bryant and [1B] Anthony Rizzo are probably several steps away from carrying a guest slot on 'Saturday Night Live,'" as former NFLer Peyton Manning and Jeter did. Schaefer: “Mike Trout, Bryce Harper -- they’re not marketed the same way. People know who they are, but they’re reserved outside of that sport. They’re not visible" (USA TODAY, 8/9).
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN: In Toronto, Richard Griffin writes when it comes to a "passing of the torch to the next generation of MLB superstars," there is a "thinning of the ranks of star players who made their debuts during, or at the end of, the Steroid Era." But that is "not a bad thing for baseball," as there is a "whole new generation of must-see hitters, 27 years of age or younger, many of whom played" in this year's ASG. Griffin: "Look out for the next wave making huge first impressions around the game." Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki said, "It seems like they're rushing guys to the big league level and they’re having success, so they keep on doing it. There’s a lot of good young players in this game now" (TORONTO STAR, 8/9).
