Players Weekend means Yanks break with tradition
Team has names on home jersey for 1st time
New York — Batting cleanup and playing right field: All Rise.
Hitting fifth, the shortstop: Sir Didi. Over at third base: Toddfather. No, these were not your father’s New York Yankees. Matter of fact, not Joe DiMaggio’s, either.
But there they were, playing ball in the Bronx wearing blue jerseys with gray sleeves and catchy nicknames scrawled across the back. Some players even sported flashy, one-of-a-kind cleats.
As part of Players Weekend all around the majors, the buttoned-up Yankees broke with tradition Friday night and ditched the famous uniforms they had worn exclusively for more than a century.
That interlocking NY logo? Stitched onto a gray cap.
The only pinstripes were on the pants.
“I’m not that crazy about it, man. I’m more of an old-school guy,” veteran outfielder Brett Gardner said before the Yankees hosted Seattle. “It’ll be weird not wearing pinstripes. But I understand the reasoning behind it, the initiative. And I know a lot of young kids and a lot of young fans are excited about it.”
Looking for ways to appeal to new fans, Major League Baseball and the players’ association decided to let big leaguers display their personalities and individuality this weekend by wearing unique and colorful gear on the field. Bats took on a different hue, too.
“I think it’s going to be awesome,” Atlanta Braves infielder Brandon Phillips said. “I try to play with a lot of flair and personality every day, so I feel like this day is for me.”
The jerseys were inspired by youth league uniforms and included a patch on the right sleeve with a blank space for players to write the names of people or organizations essential to their growth and development. Kansas City outfielder Alex Gordon used the spot to thank his mom and dad.
Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned for charity, with proceeds going to help amateur baseball and softball programs.
And of course, some of the special jerseys with nicknames on the back — like “Mr. Smile” for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor — were already available to buy online for $199.99.
“I want a Mr. Smile jersey,” Jimmy Adams, 11, of Solon, Ohio, said before Cleveland’s game against Kansas City. “I love watching him play because he always has fun out there.”
The nicknames were as colorful as the crazy socks and shoes worn by several players.
Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who pitches Sunday against the Royals, opted for “Cookie,” his usual clubhouse moniker for his affinity for the chewy treats. Cubs infielder Javier Baez was “El Mago” — Spanish for the magician — and Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis went with “Toco,” a nickname that his brother gave him in Venezuela.
“It’s a made-up word, but everybody calls me that at home,” Galvis said.
Atlanta rookie pitcher Sean Newcomb had a friend paint shoes with images of Braves greats Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and manager Bobby Cox.