5 MLB players who would be great pro wrestling heroes
With a deal between Major League Baseball and WWE recently inked, we started this hypothetical series meshing MLB and WWE by looking at the five MLB players who would make great “heels” in the professional wrestling ring. From Jose Altuve to Amir Garrett, each player had their own reason for making our list of potential in-ring villains.
But, of course, every villain needs a hero to battle. With that in mind, let’s scour the MLB ranks to find five players who could be “the face,” stepping into the ring and doing battle while upholding truth, justice, and all good things.
Why MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani would be a great professional wrestling “face”
Let’s start with the man who has taken MLB by storm this season, and that’s Shohei Ohtani. Not only does Ohtani have the impressive statistics on the mound and at the plate, but he also has displayed a joy about playing the game and embraced his moment in the spotlight while staying humble.
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Ohtani has an entire country (Japan) of baseball fans watching his every move, and that list has grown to include even the casual baseball fan around the world who checks the box score to see if he hit a home run the previous night. The legion of fans, including the next generation, continues to grow as he wowed Little Leaguers earlier this month by spending time with them in Williamsport, Pa., and did it all with a smile on his face rather than looking at his watch to see how soon he could leave.
As ESPN’s Doug Glanville wrote in this article, “Ohtani has renewed that sense of awe — a chance to be awed again — tugging at the childhood of perennial All-Stars and season-ticket holders alike.” It’s a rarity in sports today, which is one of the reasons why so many are drawn to Ohtani, and would be in the wrestling ring as well.
Mike Trout is already the face of MLB (or at least was before Shohei Ohtani broke onto the scene), so why not have him as “a face” in the pro wrestling ring as well?
In a baseball season where so many things have happened, one of the biggest losses of the campaign has been that fans have been cheated out of seeing the now-30-year-old Trout play a season in his prime thanks to a calf injury that has shelved the nine-time All-Star since May 17.
Mike Trout has skills that could translate over
The three-time Most Valuable Player has already shown that he can just about anything on the baseball field, so why not put him in the ring and let him showcase his athletic prowess while battling the forces of evil?
Just like CM Punk’s return to wrestling was celebrated in a big way recently, baseball fans will be rejoicing when Trout makes his return to the diamond. Here’s hoping that’s before the end of the 2021 season.
Flashback to June 19 and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto getting ejected from a game in the first inning. A young fan who attended the game wasn’t pleased to see her favorite player ejected and what transpired after that was absolutely perfect.
Let’s look at the connection between Joey Votto and this fan in three acts…
Act 1
@Reds When it’s your first MLB game and your favorite player of all time gets thrown out of the game in the first inning…. 😥😥😥 #weloveyoujoey pic.twitter.com/h7lganVo3s
— Kristin (@SuperBarry11) June 19, 2021
Act 2
I have an update on the sad Abigail situation! It took a couple of innings, but she eventually cheered up with some popcorn! And Joey Votto is SO KIND- he signed this amazing ball for her!! Thank you so much Mr. Votto & the wonderful @Reds ❤️⚾️ pic.twitter.com/aIsHx3r42N
— Kristin (@SuperBarry11) June 20, 2021
Act 3
Joey got to meet his biggest fan, Abigail. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/S6GySOo6BK
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 20, 2021
Joey Votto’s feelings for the fans would be great in the ring
Come on, is there a better storyline for a wrestling hero than that? He sees someone sad and makes their day better. He brings a smile to a face while shoving the negative emotions to the side. That seems like someone who could rush to the ring and make everything right, doesn’t it?
Of course, there are plenty of things that Votto has done on the field throughout his amazing career to make people cheer. But he’s also shown that he can connect with people … and give amazing interviews.
Yes, give that man a microphone in the middle of the ring and let him talk.
Every wrestling character needs to have some kind of a “schtick” that makes him or her unique. Tampa Bay’s Brett Phillips showcased his in a big way earlier this season, and it could easily translate over to some kind of amazing entrance into the wrestling ring.
Brett Phillips could have the perfect wrestling entrance after his bullpen showing earlier this season
Think about this as the music plays inside your favorite arena and Brett Phillips is introduced. The warmup, the entrance, it is all almost too good.
Sure, Phillips has had some memorable moments other than this (including walking off the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2020 World Series), but this moment in the middle of a blowout loss was absolutely priceless.
Some wrestlers show off their muscles and skills while others use their personalities to win over crowds. Phillips could certainly make an impact with his exuberance and quirks.
Many people outside the Mountain time zone have yet to hear much about Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon. However, if you look at the statistics, you’ll see why McMahon will likely be a player you’ll hear more about in seasons to come.
Entering this weekend’s series for the Rockies in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, McMahon led MLB with 23 defensive runs saved (DRS) and 2.6 defensive bWAR. Of those DRS, 14 have come at third base (tied for the most in MLB) while nine have come at second base (third-most in MLB).
He’s athletic and showcases his skills often, just like a wrestler would.
Ryan McMahon has performed under pressure
Here’s the thing that many don’t realize about McMahon. He took over second base for the Rockies when DJ LeMahieu left Denver to head to the New York Yankees in 2019, then moved over to third base primarily this season after the Rockies traded Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals in the offseason. McMahon hasn’t just embraced the pressure, but he has thrived under it as well (hitting safely in 26 of 33 games since the All-Star break this season, posting a .282/.373/.419 slash line).
And with all of the pressure, McMahon has done it with a smile, one he could certainly flash from the top turnbuckle.
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That’s the list. Who would you add as an MLB player who could make the transition to a “face” in the ring? Let us know in the comments below.