MLB 12 the Show Cover: Why Adrian Gonzalez Isn't Perfect Candidate for Hit Game

This is not a knock on Adrian Gonzalez.

This is a vote of confidence for NL MVP runner-up (?) Matt Kemp.

Yardbarker announced on Friday that the cover athlete for MLB 12:The Show would be Gonzalez, who hit .338 with 27 home runs, 117 RBI and 108 runs for the Boston Red Sox in 2011.

Gonzalez is an outstanding player, don't get me wrong. But he didn't even finish in the top five of the AL MVP voting (the award going to Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander), and Kemp was simply better in 2011.

Last season, Kemp hit .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBI, 115 runs and 40 stolen bases despite playing on a mediocre Los Angeles Dodgers team. While I can understand the cover not going to NL MVP Ryan Braun because he failed a drug test after the season, I can't understand why Kemp wouldn't be the clear choice for the cover.

Not only does Kemp play in a big market in L.A. (hello? Hollywood?), he'd be a spectacular player to play with in The Show. Think about it, he hits home runs, steals bases and hits for average. The options with him in a video game are endless.

On top of that, Kemp is no longer the character concern he was in 2010, when he was largely blasted for not living up to his potential. In 2011, Kemp rebounded tremendously, showing heart on a dismal team, and you would think the cover wizards for the popular sports title would recognize that.

The Show also appears to be playing favorites. Gonzalez would mark the third Red Sox player to appear on the cover in the last six years, joining David Ortiz ('06) and Dustin Pedroia ('09). The Show also apparently liked Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, using him on the cover the last two seasons. Is there a high-ranking executive whose two favorite things in the whole wide world are the Red Sox and Mauer? C'mon now!

I'm not going to complain too much about Gonzalez getting the cover (who I love as a player), but how about some variety?

Will a West Coast player ever get any credit?

If Kemp didn't, I don't know who will.