As is the case every year, the reveal of the MLB The Show cover athlete is a highly anticipated announcement. Each year the decision comes with debate on whether the proper athlete was chosen, or if a different superstar should’ve graced the cover.
Well, this year’s debates have started as late last month, Miami Marlins centerfielder Jazz Chisholm was announced as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 23. Chisholm, 25, is one of the game’s most exciting young stars. Despite only playing in 60 games last season, Chisholm was a National League All-Star, slashing .254/.325/.535, with a .860 OPS, 139 OPS+, and 14 homers.
During the live MLB The Show 23 cover athlete reveal on MLB’s YouTube channel, Chisholm shared his thoughts on being named the cover athlete.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of from when I was a kid,” Chisholm said. “I always wanted to be [on the cover of a video game], but I never thought it would become a reality as quick as it has.”
With only three major league seasons under his belt, Chisholm is one of the game’s most marketable stars, making him an amazing choice as the cover athlete. With this honor, he makes history as the first Bahamian-born athlete to grace the cover of a sports video game.
Joining Chisholm as a cover athlete for MLB The Show 23 is former New York Yankees shortstop and captain, first-ballot Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. Jeter will grace the cover of the Collector’s Editions of this year’s game. Jeter, who retired from baseball in 2014, was a 14-time All-Star, five-time World Series champion, two-time AL Hank Aaron Award winner, five-time Gold Glove Award winner, five-time Silver Slugger, and the 2000 World Series MVP during his 20-year career in the Bronx.
The announcement was made on February 1st while Jeter was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. If purchasing a Collector’s Edition of the game instead of the standard edition, extra perks will include:
- 1 Captain’s Choice Pack
- 1 Choice Pack
- 2 Gold Choice Packs
- 1 Ballplayer Pack
- 1 Special Uniform Choice Pack
- 1 Double Daily Rewards
- 1 Cover Athlete Bat Skin
MLB The Show 23 releases on March 28, 2023.
(Featured Image via MLB The Show website, embedded image via Operation Sports)
