How exactly does a player become one of the faces of his respective sport?

From on-field ability and playing style, to off-field marketability and personality, there are a cornucopia of factors that go into a player becoming one of the ambassadors of a sport.

With MLB icon Derek Jeter hanging it up after the 2014 season and another of the game's most recognizable stars in David Ortiz set to call it quits at the end of this year, we're undergoing a changing of the guard in baseball.

When asked about Joe Ross’ dominance this season, Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker elected to offer a simple explanation.

“He’s good,” he said of the Washington starting pitcher. “It’s simple as that. He works the strike zone. Has a good sinker, good slider and this guy is going to be good for a long time.”

The Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols has been many things in his brilliant MLB career: a three-time MVP, a 10-time All-Star and two-time world champion.

Now, he may be adding another, far less flattering label: albatross.

Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez or Nick Castellanos—one of them has to sit. Who's it going to be?

A month ago, that would have been an easy question. Martinez and Cabrera are the veteran backbone of the Detroit Tigers offense. Castellanos, at age 24, is a formerly hyped prospect who made positive strides last season but is thin in the track-record department.

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez earned the 146th win of his career on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays, passing Jamie Moyer to take sole possession of first place on the all-time franchise wins list, per S

Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was ejected during the ninth inning of Monday's 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers, and the reigning National League MVP showed no regret for his actions afterward. 

It's no secret how the Chicago Cubs have raced out to the best record in the majors.

The National League Central club, who OddsShark.com pegs as the early Fall Classic favorites, has scored the most runs in baseball and given up the fewest.

After Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper set a major league record by drawing 13 walks in last weekend's four-game series against the Chicago Cubs, all-time MLB walks leader Barry Bonds weighed in on the reigning MVP's plight. 

There is no rule in baseball—unwritten or otherwise—that precludes two teams from making a trade before Memorial Day. Lest we forget it was only last year that Atlanta and San Diego agreed to a seven-player swap involving All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel the night before Opening Day.

Had Stephen Strasburg waited another day, he would have topped the list of MLB's best players entering free agency this offseason.

The Washington Nationals ace had all the ingredients necessary to secure a massive payday. Since last year's All-Star break, the former No. 1 overall pick boasts a 2.26 ERA and 150 strikeouts over 115.1 innings. This is the guy whose MLB arrival was more hyped than any baseball player in recent memory until Bryce Harper joined him in D.C.