SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Right here, in this swanky hotel room, my main mission is
prove myself a worthwhile baseball player next to Anthony Rizzo and Eric Hosmer.
Oh, I mean video-game baseball player.
Yes, that's an essential part, since Rizzo is one of the most imposing
sluggers in the game and Hosmer is a three-time Gold Glover whose team won the
World Series last year. There is no actual way I'm a better baseball player than
either of them. But video games? Well, the playing field is at least a little
more even.
[Podcast: Eric Hosmer on MLB The Show 16, video games and big rings]
We're here, getting hands on with "MLB The Show 16," the latest installment
of the top video-game franchise in baseball. Baseball video games have come
along way since I used to keep my own stats while playing "Baseball" on my
old-school NES and the newest installment of "The Show" proves it. The graphics
are crisp. The details are fantastic. And even big leaguers get a kick out of
playing it.
View photo
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(MLB The Show)Rizzo and Hosmer are among the ambassadors of the game, meaning
they work with Sony's San Diego Studio to make the game as true-to-life as
possible. You can see how they did in this year's game, which is available in
stores (physically and virtually) starting Tuesday for PS3 and PS4.
In the interest of full disclosure, I don't play video games like I used to.
There were times where I'd play seasons upon seasons of video-game baseball and
football with my built-from-scratch franchises. But I've got two kids, a long
list of responsibilities and an ever-growing Netflix queue that don't allow me
the time to play video games that I had 10 years ago. Translation: I wasn't
walking into this "The Show" showdown with the big leaguers as a well-trained
ringer. I was just hoping to avoid embarrassment and maybe even hover toward
respectability.
Beyond that, I was hoping to understand a little more about the new game and
how pro athletes interact with video games. Here are five things I learned:
1. ERIC HOSMER CAN BALL
Not only is the Royals' first baseman adept with his hands on the baseball
field, he's quite good with a PlayStation control too. When I sat down with him,
I hit an inside-the-park homer on the first pitch — and nothing else after that.
The homer itself, against a Royal, was a funny little reminder of Game 1 of the
World Series. But the rest of our game? Hosmer straight schooled me. He let me
know it too with a few well-timed barbs. Yes, trash-talking is part of the game
and I'm fine with it.
2. LORENZO CAIN IS SUPER GOOD IN THIS GAME
When I switched over to play against Rizzo, I took over the Royals. Earlier,
Hosmer had told me how good his teammate Lorenzo Cain is in "The Show" and I
quickly learned he wasn't lying. Cain has incredible range in the outfield (he's
an All-Star centerfielder, so it makes sense) allowing me to make a couple of
catches that I figured were hits lost to the gap. Later, I went deep with Cain
off Rizzo, the crowning achievement of my day in "The Show" suite. Yes, I'm
bragging.
3. YES, PRO PLAYERS WANT TO RAKE AS THEMSELVES
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In case you're wondering if MLB stars feel any more pressure to perform as
their video-game selves, the answer is "Yes." Both Hosmer and Rizzo pressed more
when their digital likenesses were at the plate. Rizzo was looking to help
himself with himself in what was a 0-0 game at the time. He had some momentum
against me, but I was able to get him to pop up to third base. Hallelujah!
.@TheRealHos35 means business when playing as himself
[email protected]://t.co/4OVeUoVb0f
— MLB (@MLB) March 21, 2016
4. DEFENSE IN THE GAME IS IMPORTANT
One thing that changed in this year's version of "The Show," as Hosmer told
me on our podcast, is that the defensive routes are tougher. This is, of course,
on purpose. Big leaguers can't loaf it out there on the field and you gamers
can't either. You gotta play the ball off the bat, run efficient routes and not
look like a goof out there. (Confession: I looked like a goof out there a few
times). It's not just swinging and pitching and letting the artificial
intelligence help with fielding. And just ask the Royals, good defense helps you
win.
5. ANTHONY RIZZO HAD TO BE TAKING IT EASY ON ME
Rizzo and I finished with a 1-0 game in six innings, the lone score coming on
the Cain homer. Rizzo has a reputation as one of the nicer guys in baseball and
I have to wonder if he was taking it easy on me. I asked him a few times if he
was and he said no. I will say this: He didn't start Jake Arrietaagainst me,
opting instead for Kyle Hendricks. Maybe he's just seeing
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