*Originally published by former DSN writer Ryan Van Dusen in August of 2015.
Let’s get this clear right from the start: this is a list that, for the most part, set out to identify the most dominant Detroit-based video game athletes of all-time. But this rundown isn’t all about overall ratings. We made sure to leave at least a small bit of wiggle-room to celebrate some of the outsiders and underdogs who found their way onto our countdown in large part thanks to their unique video game-given talents.
With that said, if our countdown seems heavy on the old school, well, it is, and there’s a reason for that. With modern sports games pushing for more and more simulation and real life replication with each passing year, cartoonish athletic superpowers have become a thing of the past (with a few rare exceptions). As a result, more realistic portrayals = significant reduction in 400-yard rushing games and free throw line dunks on Shaquille O’Neal. With that in mind, forgive us if, say, our three hockey choices all came between 1993 and 1995.
Without further ado, let’s get down to business:
9. Mike Maroth – MVP Baseball 2005 (PS2/XBox)
Alright, I know it may be upsetting to see Mike Maroth pop up here, but don’t throw that laptop, desktop, and/or mobile device out that window in disgust just yet. I know it sounds ridiculous. Of all the pitchers throughout video Tigers history, I went with Mike Maroth? Not Jack Morris? Justin Verlander? Nate Cornejo?
Here’s the thing with the MVP Baseball 2005 iteration of Mike Maroth: he’s a lefty, he’s got five pitches, his wind-up is easy to perfect and he’s always under control. Not only that, but his stuff is so underwhelming that he naturally forces gamers to execute a sense of strategy that extends beyond just mowing down hitters with an unstoppable breaking ball.
Look, he’s not an imposing beast, I get that. But like clockwork, MVP Maroth is always good for a complete game featuring 6-8 strikeouts and an endless stream of weak groundouts and pop-ups. A few years of development in franchise mode only bolstered his abilities. Plus, he’s responsible for my first career perfect game, so there’s that.
