The MLB has been in the news a ton lately– albeit not for the reasons everybody has hoped for. Stephen A. Smith made some eye-popping, highly debated comments about Los Angeles Angels star pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani and received much backlash.
Since then, Stephen A. has come out and repeatedly apologized for those comments, and MLB Insider Jeff Passan made an appearance on First Take to discuss the importance and significance of Ohtani and other players of his stature that are driving up the marketability of the game of baseball.
Well, as it turns out, Stephen A. is incredibly wrong about Ohtani and the latest stats about the Home Run Derby and MLB Draft.
2021 @TMobile Home Run Derby on ESPN & ESPN2 is most-watched since 2017.
2021 MLB Draft on @espn & @MLBNetwork was most-watched in the event’s history. pic.twitter.com/QRTgnZfRcd— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) July 13, 2021
Well, that's one terrific thing as far as baseball is concerned. With young players such as Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Ronald Acuna Jr., there is a lot to like about the direction of the game.
The younger generation is tuning in, and Ohtani and Tatis Jr. seem to captivate the national media regularly. The thing with Ohtani hs does it on the mound– the starting pitcher for the American League. He also does it with the bat and got the honor to bat lead off and be the top seed in the Home Run Derby. Unfortunately, Ohtani lost to Juan Soto in a thrilling swing-off.
Nonetheless, a ton of viewers tuned in, and surely the All-Star Game brings in a ton of viewers as well.
Stephen A.'s comments about Shohei Ohtani were absolutely irresponsible, and although he retracted and clarified what he meant, the MLB and the stats prove everything wrong from his end.
Baseball is marketable, although the league needs to be better about marketing the players. They need to follow the example of the NBA and NFL, who have crushed it in that regard.
Enjoy it while you can. Shohei Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr. and many others are an absolute thrill to watch and are a huge bonus for the game of baseball.
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