Early in Damien Chazelle’s new movie BabylonMargot Robbie’s character Nellie LaRue says, “You’re not going to become a star. You’re either one or you’re not. I am.” These lyrics would be just right if they were written for Jazz Chisholm Jr. Marlins which was revealed as the sports cover of the popular baseball video game MLB show 23 Monday afternoon.
In many ways, this is the gaming equivalent of being on the cover Sports Illustrated. It is a platform that showcases one of the most exciting players in baseball. usually players Width Putting on its cover the best player of the game – Shohei Ohtani (2022), Josh Donaldson (’15), Dustin Pedroia (’09) – or the young faces of the game – Fernando Tatis Jr. (’21), Aaron Judge (’18) and David Wright (2007).
Compared to these previous athletes, Chisholm is an odd pick. His star quality is undeniable – it takes every highlight reel to recognize it – but considering he’s playing in a team that’s close to fourth in a row and trying hard to compete this season, Chisolm is definitely the least accomplished player. Width ever on its cover. Instead of choosing Mariners quarterback Julio Rodríguez, he did Sensation last year , Width He went with someone who could instead emerge as a senior player during next season, which starts in two days Width It was launched on March 28th. Chisholm’s place on the cover is indicative of baseball’s larger push to focus more on its future.
“Baseball has been in a culture war for the past couple of years,” says Chisholm, who turns 25 on Wednesday. “And I feel like this is the way to show that the culture is different now.”
Chisholm is committed to transforming baseball’s reputation from a sluggish, dull relic of the past into a dynamic form of entertainment fit for the 21st century. “I want people to treat baseball the way they treat basketball or football, because I’ve always loved baseball.”
His love story for baseball begins in the Bahamas. He grew up in Nassau and spent weekends with his maternal grandmother, Patricia Coakley, who played shortstop for the Bahamas national softball team in the 1980s and was the star of several amateur teams in the following years. It was she who taught him to play– And to be himself while playing. That includes partying and laughing when he’s on the field, sticking out his tongue when he’s stealing bases, and flipping his bat when he’s hitting a home run. And then, of course, he peppers those dumplings with his signature European stride as he runs toward home plate.
“I want baseball to be the thing where people turn it on and be like, ‘Oh, yeah, this guy works. Watch him do this. And he will make his European move! He’s going to hit a home run and make that little basketball shot around first base.
“It’s like if you’re watching Ja Morant right now in the NBA. Like, this is who you want to watch. And he’s making fun of everyone watching her. So that’s who I want it to be.”
Chisholm celebrates home runs with his signature European stride as he approaches home plate.
Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports
Chisholm was named an All-Star for the first time last year, before a stress fracture in his lower back forced him to miss the last three months of the season. Through 60 games, he batted . 254 with 14 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 0.535 slugging percentage. He says his back is doing a lot better, and although he still has some rehab work to do, he’ll be ready for the start of the season.
This spring, Chisholm faces a new challenge: a change of heart. He spent his first three major league seasons as Miami’s second baseman, however, After being traded to the Twins for American League champion Luis Aries earlier this monthMarlins general manager Kim Ng made the unexpected announcement that Chisholm would be the starting linebacker this season. Despite never playing the outfield in a competitive game, Chisholm volunteered to move to center before the trade was made. He told new manager Skip Schumacher: “If you can’t find a midfielder, I’ll go there, no problem.” to me the athleteKen Rosenthal. “I’m going to go out there and win the Golden Gloves.”
What makes Chisholm so confident he can successfully move into center field?
“I did everything else you said I was going to do. Why don’t you do this too?” “I told everybody I’m going to be a big player, I’m there. To go out there and just play midfield? We needed a midfield player. The only way we’re going to win is if we get a good middle fielder and a great bat. And if nobody else does it, I’m going to do it.”
Hard to believe? For someone else, maybe, but not Jazz. Chisholm has all the tools to be a star midfielder. It combines power and speed like few in the game today. He’s athletic, with a strong arm, and natural baseball instincts. Why do we suspect him? He has that specific, immeasurable quality that either you are or you are not. Jazz has always been a superstar, and this is his time to shine.