[Asian hate?]Stephen A Smith vs. Ohtani

WTF?

 

So this is a hot take of a hot take?

 

No that's not what he is saying. he is saying that it's harder to market a guy who can't speak English to an American audience. That is a true statement. You don't see many commercials in the US that depend on subtitles for a reason.

He was making a marketing point, not a social commentary one. People took his comments out of context and this is precisely the problem of being politically correct. It's that even when you are trying to make a point that is not in any way offensive, people take it out of context and get offended anyway.

That said, the stuff he said about the Nigerian team was definitely in poor taste.

 

Ohtani is the most marketable player in MLB. Granted, most of it is in Japan, but he has no problems getting endorsements.

Smith's point was "the face of baseball". His comment did not say anything about marketing.

"But when you talk about an audience gravitating to the tube or to the ballpark to actually watch you, I don’t think it helps that the No. 1 face is a dude that needs an interpreter so you can understand what the hell he’s saying, in this country.”

And he was incredibly wrong. No one cares that Yordan doesn't speak English. No one cares that Ohtani doesn't speak English. When they are up to bat, they are must see TV.

 

He's talking about marketing baseball - a sport declining in popularity along with many others - to an American audience. You admit that most of Ohtani marketability is in Japan - notice Smith said - "in this country". And he has a point. While you may feel that no one cares that Yordan doesn't speak English, it hurts his marketability significantly to a broader audience outside of Astro fans.

There's a reason why guys like Ken Griffey Jr or Derek Jeter were in their day. Today its Mookie Betts. I doubt Ohtani cracks the top 10 even by the end of the year. Perhaps you define marketability differently than others, but I define it in his ability to sell brands, not create must see TV. And race / culture is a factor in that yes. The more American someone feels, the more marketable they are - doesn't mean they have to be American, just have to make people comfortable enough. And in that regard, Smith is right, and that's his point whether you agree with him or not.

Now, please stop making me defend Smith, because he's a douchebag.

 

And he's wrong. Fans love Ohtani. The media loves Ohtani.

Fans loved ichiro. The media loved Ichiro.

Their talent and personalities transcend language. Mike Trout speaks perfect English. He is the best player of this generation. Yet, he isn't as involved in endorsements as he could be. He doesn't hype or promote MLB.

Again, Ohtani is a show stopper. Baseball fans aren't going to not watch baseball because the current phenom doesn't speak English. It's a ridiculous take. Casual fans are going to see the most unique player in generations. Fans aren't going to say " I'm not watching baseball because that Japanese player won't learn English".

 

Morey stood up for underdog Asians that couldn't defend themselves. He's a godsend in that aspect.

 

Ofc hot take shows are about blowhards pushing buttons, but haven't seen the interpretor "issue" being thrown out in a long time.

Sounds like a micro aggression for a league where ~30% are foreign born and don't speak English as their first language.

 

wtf what?

 

He's not a personal brand yet. RIght now it's all about performance, and yes, the language barrier is a factor - can he overcome it, I don't know. But the US hasn't accepted a foreign man who doesn't speak English as the face of the sport in its history.

You're putting up a strawman and shifting the goal posts here. No one is saying people are turned off by him or don't want to watch him play.

He's not necessarily wrong. Ohtani is already the face of MLB to Japan, but not to the US, and that remains a question. You're talking about apples when he's talking oranges. I respect you as a poster but I don't think you understand his point at all.

 

Honestly, marketing might be the only thing he knows anything about. He knows nothing about sports clearly. He's a completely douchebag. yet he has managed to turn himself into a big brand and make a lot of money just by arguing and saying controversial things.

 

Yes, it does.

 

I do understand the point.

First... why does Ohtani HAVE to be the face of baseball? He is a generational talent that fans enjoy watching. Baseball will survive with or without him. Baseball will survive whether or not he speaks one word of English. He will get endorsements here and abroad.

Read again what Smith said:

"But when you talk about an audience gravitating to the tube or to the ballpark to actually watch you, I don’t think it helps that the No. 1 face is a dude that needs an interpreter so you can understand what the hell he’s saying, in this country.”

He is literally talking about baseball watchers turning on TV or going to the park. He literally says that it doesn't help those people turning on the TV or going to the park that the dude who is the #1 face doesn't speak English.

The HR derby had the highest rating over the past 4 ASGs and the viewing peaked during Ohtani's loss in the first round. Meaning that people quit watching after he was done.

And, by the way, what does the face of baseball mean? (I assume it means a player you would see and immediately connect with ML. I assume it means an attendance draw)

Who is the current face of baseball? (No idea)

Who is the player getting the most everyday media coverage currently? (Based on personal observation, I'd say Ohtani)

Who is the player most people would stop to watch play? (I'd go with Ohtani here as well)

Smith's point was unnecessary. It was successful in a much as it got people talking about Stephen Smith and as of today, he has not suffered one iota from it.