MIAMI (AP) – Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Miami Marlins’ All-Star, has goals beyond his impressive stats. With every stolen base and acrobatic catch, Chisholm hopes to influence the next generation of players.
“I had Ken Griffey Jr., who was a real idol for a lot of guys everywhere,” Chisholm said in a video interview with The Associated Press. “Not just for baseball fans. He was the idol of basketball players, football players, guys in all kinds of sports, and I want to be the same. Known not only as a baseball player, but simply as an athlete.
Chisholm, 24, is on track to make a similar impact after being announced Monday as the cover athlete for Sony’s 2023 MLB The Show video game.
“As a kid, I always wanted to be on the cover of MLB the Show,” Chisholm said. “So that means winning the MVP in some way. You can fulfill your childhood dream.
Chisholm, avid player David Ortiz, has starred in The Show since its first cover in 2006. Chisholm is the first Marlins player to appear on the cover of the American version of the game, but he joins Miami athletes from all sports on major video game covers.
Shaquille O’Neal appeared on two major NBA 2K covers for the Heat, along with LeBron James in Miami. O’Neal and Dwyane Wade also appeared on the cover of the themed issue. Wei-Ying Chen, who played for the Marlins from 2016 to 2019, was the cover athlete for the Taiwan version of the show in 2016 and 2017 with the Marlins. NHL 97 video game cover features goaltender John Vanbiesbroek, who played for the Panthers from 1993-1998.
Chisholm is known for her style — from her colorful hair to her chains and sunglasses — as well as her electric speed and strong arm on the court. This combination made him a fan favorite.
“I’m sure the kids will love it,” Chisholm said. “Every time I look around, I see blue-haired kids in t-shirts. I think it’s good for the culture.
Chisholm, entering his fourth MLB season, has a career batting average of .243 and a slugging percentage of .449.
He was sidelined last season with lower back problems, and tests later revealed he would miss the rest of the 2022 season.
Voted into his first All-Star Game, Chisholm led the team in home runs and RBIs before the injury, hitting .254 with 14 homers, 45 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 60 games. Only Jesus Aguilar finished the 2022 season with more home runs for the Marlins, hitting 15 in 113 games.
Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Chisholm became the seventh Bahamian player to reach the majors in his 2020 debut.
“The energy I bring to the game. “My size, my speed, my defense,” he said. “I’m going to see my highlights and I’m going to love and enjoy everything I do. I do it with a smile because I’m having so much fun.
Chisholm said he’s excited to play a healthy season and said he thinks Miami can make the playoffs if everyone stays healthy.
In a series of moves this offseason, Marlins general manager Kim Ng said the team plans to move Chisholm from center field to center field, where he has played his entire MLB career. After Miami acquired Luis Arraes from American League champion Minnesota to play second base. .
“Jazz is a very special athlete. He’s very dynamic,” Ng said earlier this month. “He has great range, great speed. He has a lot to look for when thinking about center field.
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