Players to Appear on Video Game Covers by fWAR

On January 31 of this year, Shohei Ohtani was named the cover player for MLB The Show 2022. He then went on to have one of the most impressive seasons in baseball history, finishing as both a top batter and top pitcher in the American League.

Every March, we all rush to buy the newest copy of MLB The Show. Since 2012, each installment has featured a different player than the prior year (well played, Mauer for being the last player to cover back-to-back editions of the game). There’s always persistent chatter that players who cover video games, across all sports, become victim to a curse that is followed by a down year or an injury-plagued season… But is this really the case? Let’s take a look for ourselves by analyzing every player to ever appear on the cover of a video game and their fWAR from the year it was released. That last part is crucial because in the late 90s and early 2000s baseball video games were often titled after the following year to align with other sports’ games, however, this has been rectified and standardized in recent years so the year in the game title aligns with the year of its release.

To separate all players into fWAR tiers, we will use the chart provided by FanGraphs. However, I will add a new tier. MVP will now be 6-8 WAR, with 8+ being now known as Elite. And off we go!

Scrub	0-1 WAR
Role Player	1-2 WAR
Solid Starter	2-3 WAR
Good Player	3-4 WAR
All-Star	4-5 WAR
Superstar	5-6 WAR
MVP	6+ WAR

N/A – Did Not Play in MLB that Season

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Jackie Robinson	April 20, 2021		MLB The Show 21: Deluxe Edition
Ken Griffey Jr.	March 28, 2017		MLB The Show 17
Hee-Seop Choi	February 28, 2006		MLB 06: The Show	South Korea
Babe Ruth	January 1997		Aaron vs. Ruth: Battle of the Big Bats
Hank Aaron	January 1997		Aaron vs. Ruth: Battle of the Big Bats
Reggie Jackson	March 1989		Reggie Jackson Baseball
Pete Rose	March 1988		Pete Rose Baseball Pete Rose: Pennant Fever

The general theme of this group could simply be described as “legends.” The obvious outlier is Hee-Seop Choi who had a career 2.8 fWAR in MLB. For a span of time, MLB The Show would release alternate covers in different regions, usually featuring players from that region. The South Korean cover that year featured six different players (we’ll discuss the others later), but only Choi would not land with an MLB team for the start of the 2006 MLB season. After spending 2006 with the Pawtucket Red Sox, he’d go on to enjoy eight more seasons with the Kia Tigers of the KBO before retiring at the conclusion of the 2015 campaign.

The Negatives: <0 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Scott Hemond	June 1995	-0.3	RBI Baseball ’95
Steve Garvey	January 1987	-0.6	Steve Garvey vs. Jose Canseco in Grand Slam Baseball
Hyun-soo Kim	March 28, 2017	-1.1	MLB The Show 17	South Korea
Billy Hatcher	March 1994	-1.1	MLBPA Baseball

By definition, a negative WAR implies that player should be replaced by, at the least, a league-average player, however, these three players at least receive the consolation prize of covering a video game in the seasons they put up negative fWAR. Steve Garvey had a profound MLB career, even earning the honor of having his number retired by the San Diego Padres in 1988. He only played for about two months of the 1987 season, making his final appearance on May 23 of that year, but unfortunately accrued a negative fWAR in that time.

As was relatively common at the time, the cover of RBI Baseball ’95 featured actual photographs from an MLB game as opposed to modeled photoshoots or edited images. In this case, the cover features Oakland Athletics pitcher Ron Darling pitching to Seattle Mariners batter Tino Martinez (we’ll get to them later), but in the bottom right of the cover, with his back to the camera, is clearly Scott Hemond with his large Athletic-green and yellow #2. Despite RBI Baseball not having a license to use MLB team logos at the time, the iconic colors of the Athletics went a long way in identifying Hemond in this photo. Darling pitched three games against the Mariners in 1994, the season before the game’s release, but only one of them had Hemond catching him at home. It’s safe to assume the photos featured on this cover are from May 25, 1994. Darling would throw a complete 9 IP with 7 strikeouts, but ultimately take the loss as the Athletics gave him no run support and fell 1-0.

The Scrubs: 0-1 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Brian Jordan	May 14, 1997	0.8	Triple Play 98
Christian Yelich	March 16, 2020	0.7	R.B.I. Baseball 20
Brady Anderson	August 31, 1998	0.7	Bottom of the 9th ’99
Ron Darling	June 1995	0.7	RBI Baseball ’95
Javier Baez	March 17, 2020	0.5	MLB The Show 20
Wei-Yin Chen	March 28, 2017	0.5	MLB The Show 17	Taiwan
Shin-soo Choo	April 1, 2014	0.4	MLB 14: The Show	South Korea
Wei-Yin Chen	March 29, 2016	0.3	MLB The Show 16	Taiwan
David Ortiz	April 28, 2009	0.3	Backyard Baseball 10
Brent Gates	March 1994	0.3	MLBPA Baseball
Bo Jackson	October 1991	0.1	Bo Jackson Baseball
Bo Jackson	June 1991	0.1	Bo Jackson: Two Games in One
Aaron Sanchez	March 28, 2017	0.0	MLB The Show 17	Canada
Jae Weong Seo	February 28, 2006	0.0	MLB 06: The Show	South Korea
Jason Giambi	April 6, 2004	0.0	ESPN Major League Baseball

There’s certainly a lot to unpack in this section as we have quite the mix of players grouped together. The most obvious and largest group would simply be mediocre players. Aaron Sanchez, Bo Jackson, Brent Gates, Brady Anderson, and Brian Jordan all enjoyed fine careers, but featured multiple seasons of 0-1 WAR production. Next, we have our international cover stars. Wei-Yen Chen and Shin-soo Choo would both be featured on multiple covers of MLB The Show in their native countries of Taiwan and South Korea specifically. Jae Weong Seo was one of the six players, along with Choi, to adorn MLB 06: The Show in South Korea. Following them, we have the aging former stars. Ron Darling and David Ortiz had fabulous careers with World Series championships for both and eventual Hall of Fame enshrinement for the latter. There’s nothing wrong with covering a game late in your career! Mid-way through the 2004 season Jason Giambi was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. He’d miss two months while recovering and put up pedestrian numbers in his return. Lastly, both Javier Baez and Christian Yelich, of course, fell victim to the shortened 2020 season.

Another fun thing to note here is the progression of these baseball franchises. Sega produced the World Series Baseball series from 1994-2003, before eventually being succeeded by the lone edition of ESPN Major League Baseball in 2004, followed by the MLB 2K series from 2005-2013.

The Role Players: 1-2 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Jason Heyward	September 13, 2011	1.9	Nicktoons MLB
Vladimir Guerrero	November 10, 2008	1.9	MLB Superstars
Mo Vaughn	March 29, 1999	1.9	MLB 2000
Bill Swift	January 1994	1.9	World Series Baseball
Jose Canseco	January 1987	1.9	Steve Garvey vs. Jose Canseco in Grand Slam Baseball
David Ortiz	March 25, 2008	1.8	Backyard Baseball ’09
Shawn Green	March 10, 2003	1.8	MLB 2004
Magglio Ordonez	July 29, 2008	1.7	MLB Power Pros 2008
Brett Lawrie	April 1, 2014	1.6	MLB 14: The Show	Canada
Takashi Saito	July 29, 2008	1.6	MLB Power Pros 2008
Ken Caminiti	March 24, 1999	1.6	Hardball 6: 2000 Edition
Cal Ripken Jr.	April 14, 1998	1.6	MLB ’99
Randy Johnson	June 30, 1996	1.6	Front Page Sports: Baseball Pro ’96 Season
Yasiel Puig	March 31, 2015	1.5	MLB 15: The Show
Chien-Ming Wang	July 29, 2008	1.5	MLB Power Pros 2008
Francisco Rodriguez	July 29, 2008	1.5	MLB Power Pros 2008
Ivan Rodriguez	October 3, 2007	1.5	MLB Power Pros
Marcus Stroman	March 27, 2018	1.4	MLB The Show 18	Canada
Prince Fielder	November 10, 2008	1.3	MLB Superstars
Prince Fielder	July 29, 2008	1.3	MLB Power Pros 2008
Cal Ripken Jr.	April 25, 2000	1.3	Backyard Baseball 2001
Chan-ho Park	February 28, 2006	1.2	MLB 06: The Show	South Korea
Deion Sanders	January 1995	1.2	World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders
Gary Carter	September 1988	1.0	Sporting News Baseball

As we reach the lower single-digit fWAR range, the field becomes a lot more populated, so just some quick highlights. 2006-2011 saw the release of a few games that featured 5+ players on American covers, which is rare to say the least. These are MLB Slugfest 2006, MLB Power Pros and its sequel MLB Power Pros 2008, MLB Bobblehead Pros and its sequel MLB Bobblehead Battle, MLB Superstars, and perhaps the most interesting of them all, Nicktoons MLB. You’ll see these titles pop up more than a few times.

David Ortiz holds a unique distinction by being the cover athlete for the last two installments of the main series of Backyard Baseball: Backyard Baseball ’09 and Backyard Baseball 2010. There have been a few Backyard Baseball games released since, but they have not featured kid versions of MLB players like the games of our childhoods and have more recently been relegated to mobile release only.

Marcus Stroman’s Canadian cover of MLB The Show 18 was the last MLB The Show game to have an alternate cover for an international market.

The Solid Starters: 2-3 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Manny Ramirez	June 5, 2006	2.9	MLB Slugfest 2006
Manny Ramirez	February 22, 2005	2.9	MVP Baseball 2005
Jung-ho Kang	March 29, 2016	2.8	MLB The Show 16	South Korea
Wei-Yin Chen	March 31, 2015	2.8	MLB 15: The Show	Taiwan
Ryan Howard	March 4, 2008	2.8	MLB 08: The Show
Daisuke Matsuzaka	October 3, 2007	2.8	MLB Power Pros
Fred McGriff	January 1996	2.8	World Series Baseball II
Ken Caminiti	April 15, 1998	2.6	Hardball 6 Hardball 99
Randy Johnson	March 10, 2003	2.5	MVP Baseball 2003
Derrek Lee	July 29, 2008	2.4	MLB Power Pros 2008
Byung-Hyun Kim	February 28, 2006	2.4	MLB 06: The Show	South Korea
David Justice	September 30, 1996	2.4	MLB Pennant Race
Wei-Yin Chen	April 1, 2014	2.3	MLB 14: The Show	Taiwan
Sammy Sosa	June 23, 2004	2.3	MLB Slugfest Loaded
Darin Erstad	October 2, 1998	2.3	VR Baseball 2000
Darin Erstad	May 22, 1998	2.3	VR Baseball ’99
Pedro Martinez	June 5, 2006	2.2	MLB Slugfest 2006
Pedro Martinez	February 28, 2006	2.2	MLB 06: The Show	South Korea
Joe Mauer	March 8, 2011	2.1	MLB 11: The Show
Wei-Yin Chen	March 5, 2013	2.0	MLB 13: The Show	Taiwan
Darin Erstad	March 31, 1999	2.0	Interplay Sports Baseball Edition 2000

Some more baseball video game franchise history here! VR Baseball would release three titles from 1997-1998, with two in 1998 both featuring Darin Erstad as listed above, before changing the series name with their last baseball game to Interplay Sports Baseball Edition 2000.

One of the highest regarded baseball video games of all-time is MVP Baseball 2005. A little known fact is the MVP Baseball series, which only had an MLB and MLBPA license from 2003-2005, is the successor to the popular Triple Play franchise, which released titles from 1996-2002. Similarly, MLB Pennant Race would be followed by the MLB (989) series from 1997-2005 before finally transitioning into MLB The Show starting in 2006.

In the 90s and early 2000s, games were often released months apart on different gaming systems with different titles, as was the case with Hardball 6 and Hardball 99.

The Good Players: 3-4 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
David Price	March 5, 2013	3.9	MLB 2K13
Dontrelle Willis	June 5, 2006	3.7	MLB Slugfest 2006
Derek Jeter	March 31, 2000	3.7	All-Star Baseball 2001
Chipper Jones	March 28, 1997	3.7	World Series Baseball ’98
Cal Ripken Jr.	December 1992	3.7	Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball
Derek Jeter	March 19, 2007	3.6	Major League Baseball 2K7
Juan Gonzalez	April 14, 1999	3.6	Bottom of the 9th
Vladimir Guerrero	June 5, 2006	3.5	MLB Slugfest 2006
Shin-soo Choo	March 31, 2015	3.4	MLB 15: The Show	South Korea
Miguel Tejada	March 10, 2003	3.4	MVP Baseball 2003
Vladimir Guerrero	October 3, 2007	3.2	MLB Power Pros
Jose Bautista	March 6, 2012	3.1	MLB 12: The Show	Canada
Ryan Howard	October 3, 2007	3.1	MLB Power Pros
Adrian Gonzalez	March 6, 2012	3.0	MLB 12: The Show
Andre Ethier	September 13, 2011	3.0	Nicktoons MLB
Jason Giambi	June 5, 2006	3.0	MLB Slugfest 2006
Al Leiter	April 20, 1999	3.0	Microsoft Baseball 2000
Tony Gwynn	June 1996	3.0	Triple Play 97
Dave Winfield	May 1985	3.0	Dave Winfield’s Batter Up

Dave Winfield’s Batter Up released in 1985 was the oldest game I could find that featured a player on the cover! There will be many more cover players to come, but only Winfield can say he was the first.

Derek Jeter has covered the most games, totaling nine in his career. It’s hard to say if we’ve seen the last of Jeter on the cover of games as a few players (see above) have covered games after their playing days concluded. Jeter covered a game each year from 1999 to 2007. He was featured on each All-Star Baseball installment from 1999-2004 before jumping ship and becoming the star of MLB 2K’s series from 2005-2007. Largely due to Jeter, the New York Yankees have had the most cover players.

The All-Stars: 4-5 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Andruw Jones	May 8, 2001	4.9	MLB 2002
Ken Griffey Jr.	May 11, 1999	4.9	Ken Griffey Jr.’s Slugfest
Nolan Ryan	July 2, 1991	4.9	Nolan Ryan’s Baseball
David Price	July 6, 2011	4.8	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Ian Kinsler	November 10, 2008	4.8	MLB Superstars
Jeff Bagwell	March 18, 2002	4.8	Home Run King
Vladimir Guerrero	March 14, 2001	4.8	High Heat Major League Baseball 2002
Tim Anderson	March 16, 2021	4.7	R.B.I. Baseball 21
Dustin Pedroia	March 3, 2009	4.7	MLB 09: The Show
Derek Jeter	March 23, 2004	4.7	All-Star Baseball 2005
Hideo Nomo	December 1, 1995	4.7	World Series Baseball	Japan
Mike Piazza	May 21, 2002	4.6	Backyard Baseball Backyard Baseball 2003
Russell Martin	March 31, 2015	4.5	MLB 15: The Show	Canada
Tino Martinez	June 1995	4.5	RBI Baseball ’95
Matt Holliday	September 13, 2011	4.4	Nicktoons MLB
Derek Jeter	February 23, 2005	4.4	Major League Baseball 2K5
Mark Teixeira	July 6, 2011	4.3	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Manny Ramirez	August 1996	4.3	World Series Baseball ’96
Josh Beckett	July 29, 2008	4.2	MLB Power Pros 2008
Derek Jeter	March 17, 2001	4.2	All-Star Baseball 2002
Jose Bautista	March 5, 2013	4.1	MLB 13: The Show	Canada
Derek Jeter	February 28, 2003	4.1	All-Star Baseball 2004
Bryce Harper	March 26, 2019	4.0	MLB The Show 19
Chase Utley	July 6, 2011	4.0	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle

To my record, Hideo Nomo is the only player to cover Japan-exclusive alternate edition.

The R.B.I. Baseball series ran for two distinct stints. The “original” series spanned eight games from 1987 to 1995, with only the final release, RBI Baseball ’95, featuring MLB players on its cover, the aforementioned Ron Darling, Tino Martinez, and Scott Hemond. The series returned in 2014 and released installments annually through 2021. As of 2022, only MLB The Show remains among widely-released baseball video games.

The Superstars: 5-6 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Prince Fielder	July 7, 2009	5.9	The BIGS 2
Jose Reyes	March 4, 2008	5.8	Major League Baseball 2K8 Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars
Nomar Garciaparra	May 20, 2003	5.8	Inside Pitch 2003
Mike Piazza	March 14, 2000	5.8	Triple Play 2001
Sammy Sosa	March 7, 2000	5.8	Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001
Sammy Sosa	February 29, 2000	5.8	Sammy Sosa Softball Slam
Joe Mauer	March 2, 2010	5.7	MLB 10: The Show
Ivan Rodriguez	April 4, 1996	5.6	Bottom of the 9th
Pedro Martinez	August 15, 2001	5.5	World Series Baseball 2K2
Corey Seager	March 28, 2017	5.4	R.B.I. Baseball 2017
Troy Tulowitzki	July 6, 2011	5.4	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Frank Thomas	November 1995	5.4	Frank Thomas’ Big Hurt Baseball
Aaron Judge	March 27, 2018	5.3	MLB The Show 18
Johan Santana	November 10, 2008	5.3	MLB Superstars
David Ortiz	February 28, 2006	5.3	MLB 06: The Show
David Ortiz	January 2005	5.3	Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball
Vladimir Guerrero	March 8, 2005	5.3	MLB 2006
Eric Chavez	March 4, 2004	5.3	MLB 2005
Sammy Sosa	March 22, 1999	5.3	Triple Play 2000
Anthony Rizzo	March 31, 2015	5.2	R.B.I. Baseball 2015
Miguel Cabrera	April 1, 2014	5.2	MLB 14: The Show
Robinson Cano	September 13, 2011	5.2	Nicktoons MLB
Felix Hernandez	July 6, 2011	5.2	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Curt Schilling	February 19, 2003	5.2	High Heat Major League Baseball 2004
Luis Gonzalez	March 11, 2002	5.2	Triple Play 2002
Derek Jeter	March 7, 2002	5.2	All-Star Baseball 2003
Bernie Williams	August 1997	5.1	MLB ’98
Jimmy Rollins	July 29, 2008	5.0	MLB Power Pros 2008
Jason Giambi	March 10, 2003	5.0	World Series Baseball 2K3
Larry Walker	May 27, 1998	5.0	All-Star Baseball ’99

In 2005, Nintendo announced it would be returning to the MLB-licensed video game space with Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball, it’s first entry since Home Run King in 2002. After footage was shown at E3, an April 4 release was planned to coincide with the start of the MLB season. It would eventually be delayed to a June 13 release before being shelved permanently. 

Here’s a little known fact! All-Star Baseball was a successful series running from 1997 to 2005, but did you know that Frank Thomas’ Big Hurt Baseball was the precursor to this series? Thomas would carry over and be featured as All-Star Baseball’s first cover athlete.

A random tidbit on a personal note, but the cover design of MLB 14: The Show is my favorite from the entire series. Happy to see future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera receive the special treatment.

The MVPs: 6-8 fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Alex Rodriguez	March 26, 1998	7.9	Triple Play Baseball ’99
Greg Maddux	April 1, 1997	7.9	VR Baseball ’97
Francisco Lindor	March 20, 2018	7.8	R.B.I. Baseball 18
Tim Lincecum	March 3, 2009	7.8	Major League Baseball 2K9 Major League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars
Albert Pujols	March 9, 2004	7.8	MVP Baseball 2004
Albert Pujols	June 26, 2007	7.7	The BIGS
Nomar Garciaparra	March 2000	7.6	Microsoft Baseball 2001
Cliff Lee	September 13, 2011	7.5	Nicktoons MLB
Evan Longoria	March 2, 2010	7.5	Major League Baseball 2K10
Derek Jeter	April 8, 1999	7.4	All-Star Baseball 2000
Fernando Tatis Jr.	April 20, 2021	7.3	MLB The Show 21
Frank Thomas	May 24, 1997	7.2	All-Star Baseball ’97 Featuring Frank Thomas
Ryan Braun	July 6, 2011	7.1	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Randy Johnson	May 30, 1997	7.0	Front Page Sports: Baseball Pro ’98
Josh Donaldson	March 29, 2016	6.9	MLB The Show 16	Canada
Justin Verlander	March 6, 2012	6.8	Major League Baseball 2K12
Ken Griffey Jr.	March 1994	6.8	Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball
Cliff Lee	November 10, 2008	6.7	MLB Superstars
Miguel Cabrera	September 13, 2011	6.6	Nicktoons MLB
Alex Rodriguez	March 23, 2004	6.6	Backyard Baseball Backyard Baseball 2005
Jason Giambi	May 19, 2002	6.6	World Series Baseball
Mike Piazza	June 18, 1998	6.6	Mike Piazza’s Strike Zone
Ken Griffey Jr.	May 25, 1998	6.6	Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr.
Ryne Sandberg	September 1991	6.4	Super Bases Loaded
Jim Edmonds	March 16, 2003	6.3	MLB Slugfest 20-04
Ryne Sandberg	July 27, 1990	6.3	Bases Loaded 3
Adrian Gonzalez	July 6, 2011	6.2	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Ichiro Suzuki	October 3, 2007	6.1	MLB Power Pros
Derek Jeter	April 3, 2006	6.1	Major League Baseball 2K6
Orel Hershiser	January 1989	6.1	Orel Hershiser’s Strike Zone
Chipper Jones	March 28, 2000	6.0	MLB 2001
Mike Piazza	November 1995	6.0	World Series Baseball

It’s getting real now. A 6+ WAR season is no joke and each of the developers of these games should be psyched that they selected the correct player to adorn their covers, but are they the best of the best? Modern MVPs generally have an 8+ WAR… but how many times has this happened in the year they also covered a video game? It’s time to find out.

The Elite: 8+ fWAR

Player	Release Date	fWAR	Game	Region Exclusive
Barry Bonds	June 19, 2002	12.7	MLB 2003
Alex Rodriguez	June 24, 2002	10.0	MLB Slugfest 20-03
Ken Griffey Jr.	June 10, 1996	9.7	Ken Griffey Jr.’s Winning Run
Alex Rodriguez	October 3, 2007	9.6	MLB Power Pros
Shohei Ohtani	April 5, 2022	9.5	MLB The Show 22 MLB The Show 22: MVP Edition
Pedro Martinez	July 20, 2000	9.4	World Series Baseball 2K1
Curt Schilling	February 11, 2002	9.3	High Heat Major League Baseball 2003
Alex Rodriguez	April 2, 2003	9.2	Backyard Baseball
Jason Giambi	March 4, 2001	9.2	Triple Play Baseball
Alex Rodriguez	March 16, 2005	9.1	Backyard Baseball 2006
Albert Pujols	November 10, 2008	8.7	MLB Superstars
Roy Halladay	March 8, 2011	8.5	Major League Baseball 2K11
Roger Clemens	November 1991	8.5	Roger Clemens’ MVP Baseball
David Wright	February 26, 2007	8.4	MLB 07: The Show
Matt Kemp	July 6, 2011	8.3	MLB Bobblehead Pros MLB Bobblehead Battle
Mookie Betts	March 29, 2016	8.2	R.B.I. Baseball 2016
Alex Bregman	March 5, 2019	8.1	R.B.I. Baseball 19
Andrew McCutchen	March 5, 2013	8.1	MLB 13: The Show
Albert Pujols	June 5, 2006	8.1	MLB Slugfest 2006
Albert Pujols	May 12, 2006	8.1	Backyard Sports: Baseball 2007

And there it is! Barry Bonds, who famously did not lend his likeness in several video games (shout-out John Dowd), is the owner of the highest fWAR in a year a player covered a video game. Of course, Bonds’ 2002 is regarded as one of the best seasons of any player ever, but talk about excellent scouting and contracting by video game producers for their 2002 releases as out of nearly 200 individual player seasons, the top two ever are both from that year! This section of the list is fun to look at and see all of the MVP winners from their respective seasons, as well as those that should have won (*cough* David Wright and Matt Kemp *cough*), immortalized on our media shelves and used video game stores alike for the rest of eternity.