ker."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Tigers AnalysisDetroit Tigers Prospect NotebookDetroit Tigers Game ThreadsDetroit Tigers NewsDetroit Tigers PodcastsDetroit Tigers Game ThreadsGame 2: Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays Barry Bonds Jersey , 7:07 p.m.New,121commentsMatthew Boyd takes the ball against Michigan native Matt Shoemaker.EDTShareTweetShareShareGame 2: Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m.Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsDetroit Tigers (1-0) at Toronto Blue Jays (0-1)Time/Place: 7:07 p.m., Rogers CentreSB Nation site: Bluebird BanterMedia: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio NetworkPitching Matchup: LHP Matthew Boyd (9-13, 4.39 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker (2-2, 4.94 ERA)Game 2 Pitching MatchupPitcherIPK%BB%FIPfWARPitcherIPK%BB%FIPfWARGameday readingRecap: Zimmermann, Stewart lead Tigers to victoryWatch Christin Stewart’s game-winning home run on Opening DaySeries preview: The 2019 season begins north of the borderQ&A with Bluebird Banter’s Tom DakersThe Tigers will be more fun to watch in 2019Introduce yourself to the Bless You Boys community!BYB Podcast Episode 40: Tigers baseball is finally back First off, Commissioner, we didn't need you to inform us that Trout is a great player. The stats and eyeball test confirm as much.Second off, what exactly are you implying? Should he grow out his sideburns and become "Hollywood Mike Trout"? Should he start flipping his bat and getting into it with opposing pitchers?Or is it merely that he's passing on marketing opportunities that would line the pockets of MLB?Trout wore a mic on the field during the 2018 All-Star Game. He engaged a young fan in super-cool fashion at the All-Star Game in D.C. Madison Bumgarner Jersey , per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.He makes himself available. As USA Today's Ted Berg put it, "This is Mike Trout: Extraordinarily talented, friendly and patient with fans and media, and unlikely to generate any hotly contested sound bytes."Then again, maybe Trout finally is.OK, sure, we're referring to a statement issued by the Angels on behalf of Trout in the wake of Manfred's comments. Still, it features some pointed, if implied, barbs:"Mike Trout is an exceptional ambassador for the game. Combinedwith his talent, his solid character creates a perfect role model for young people everywhere. Each year, Mike devotes a tremendous amount of his time and effort contributing to our Organization Juan Marichal Jersey , and marketing Major League Baseball. He continually chooses to participate in the community, visiting hospitals, schools, and countless other charities."The statement goes on to mention Trout's "humility" and to note that the Angels"applaud him for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion."Added Halos communications director Eric Kay:Eric Kay EKay2121Bottom line, Mike Trout doesnt self promote and he gets criticized for it. Everyone else thinks they know what is best for Mike. No one takes more time to engage with fans than Trout. THE GAME IS ABOUT THE FANS. He represents the #Angels better than anyone has. EVER.Clearly, Manfred's words reached the ears of the best player in the game and the franchise that employs him.Trout isn't about to take the heat for baseball's wavering popularity or Manfred's possible insecurity over a dearth of marketable stars.Trout isn't the Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper, for example, with his brash antics and "Make Baseball Fun Again"schtick.Inan interviewwith Fox Sports' Alex Rodriguez,Trout did say players should be able to express themselves. He's not a killjoy. Just an unassuming guy with a generational gift.Maybe Manfred wishes Harper was the face of the sport. Unfortunately, despite winning the Home Run Derby and clubbing 23 first-half dingers, Harper owns a .214 average and has had an up-and-down season in D.C.Trout, meanwhile http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , keeps chugging along. He produces at historic levels. He doesn't foment discord or spout off in ways that damage the game. He hits, he runs, he catches, he smiles. He does good work on and off the field. Isn't that enough?Stephen Brashear/Getty ImagesMaybe not for the future of MLB, as it competes for clicks and attention and eyeballs in a crowded sports marketplace.That problem is on Manfred, however, and the rest of his braintrust.Trout, by all accounts, is a decent, accessible dude who also happens to be really, really good at baseball."In general, baseball does not do as good a job as other major sports in the U.S. as far as promoting their stars nationwide http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , especially compared to NFL and NBA," Henry Schafer of Q Scores, a firm that measures the appeal and recognition of sports figures, said, per Kilgore.According to Q Scores, reserve NBA forward Kenneth Faried has a similar Q Score to Trout. Faried averaged 14.4 minutes and 5.9 points per game last season.For that to be possible, Manfred should be asking himself, "What's wrong with baseball?" That's the right question.Here's another question: Does Michael Nelson Trout owe MLB a damn thing?Here's the answer: Nope. All statistics current as of Wednesday and courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.