MLB2K12 Cover: How Stars Have Fared after Endorsing Game

What kind of year can we expect from Justin Verlander? Well, if the seasons of past MLB2K cover athletes are any indication, it should be pretty solid.

There doesn't appear to be any sort of 2K curse, as players have flourished after gracing the cover of the long running franchise. Since the company adopted the 2K name, not one player has had a bad season the same year they were tabbed as the cover athlete.

Let's take a look at the cover athletes since the series' inception in 2004.

2004 - Jason Giambi (Game was called ESPN Major League Baseball)

In the only bad season for a MLB cover athlete, Giambi played in only 80 games after a benign tumor was found and removed from his body. He did return and was voted in as an All-Star, despite hitting only .208.

Giambi returned to form in 2005, hitting 32 HRs with 87 RBI and leading the league in BB with 108.

2005-2007 - Derek Jeter (Game took on the MLB2K name)

Jeter began a three-year run as the cover man for the franchise. Judging from the seasons Jeter had while endorsing the game, the Yankees probably want him to reappear.

For those three years, Jeter averaged a .324 BA, 15 HR, 80 RBI and 21 SB. He also won two Gold Gloves..

Talk about representing a product well. 

2008 - Jose Reyes

The franchise stayed in New York, as it tabbed then New York Mets' shortstop Jose Reyes as the cover guy. He was the first non-Yankee to grace the cover.

That year, Reyes did not disappoint, leading the league in PA, AB, hits and triples. He also batted .297 and stole 56 bases. 2K apparently knew when to jump off the bandwagon as well. The next year Reyes got hurt and played only 36 games.

2009 - Tim Lincecum

This marked the first year the franchise ventured outside the state of New York for a cover guy. "The Freak" kept the strong tradition moving, winning his second consecutive Cy Young.

Lincecum led the league in CG, shutouts and K's.

This company has the Midas touch.

2010 - Evan Longoria

Longoria was the first star from a small market, but he still had a big year. He was an All-Star, won a Gold Glove and drove in 104 runs for the playoff-bound Rays.

2011 - Roy Halladay

Doc was sick last year. He finished second in Cy Young voting, led his league in CG for the fifth consecutive season, threw over 200 innings for the fifth year in a row and won 19 games.

The Phillies had a disappointing playoff run, but Halladay was certainly stellar.

He may have cemented his place as a future Hall of Famer with this season.

If you're the Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander, you have to be feeling pretty good about this season.