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| Custom jerseys featuring player nicknames will be worn throughout the weekend. |
Starting today and running throughout the weekend, major league ball players will be wearing alternate uniforms seemingly inspired by those worn by little leaguers all across the county. In addition to the vibrant new designs, the jerseys won't bear the player's surnames on their backs, but rather individual nicknames, a proverbial tip of the cap to their adoring fans. While it may be a year too late for fans at Fenway Park to witness the heroics of "Big Papi" (David Ortiz), fans in Baltimore can expect to witness to the defensive wizardry of "Mr. Miami" (third baseman Manny Machado) while fans in New York can rise up for rookie phenom Aaron Judge, whose jersey will sport the fitting nickname "All Rise". As exciting as the event will be for fans, players are also probably ecstatic at the prospect of breaking out custom made batting gloves, cleats, bats, wristbands, and all sorts of other personal apparel. MLB's uniform rules, while not as draconian as those of the National Football League (or "No Fun League" if you prefer), don't always allow for expressions of self-identity. While player's are allowed to break from conventional uniform rules at times, such as for the All-Star Game, players are generally expected to limit their customization of apparel (as former Giants closer/lumberjack Brian Wilson can attest). With that in mind, it's nice to see MLB break from convention here. Furthermore, while the money that will be brought in by these alternate uniform and merchandise sales will be substantial (and undoubtedly played a part in the creation of this event), the Players Weekend speaks to commissioner Rob Manfred's continued efforts to bring fans closer to the game (and, conversely, players closer to the fans).
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| Rob Manfred is responsible for starting two initiatives to bring MLB players closer to the fans. |
Since taking the position of MLB commissioner in 2015, Rob Manfred has made a concerted effort to bring fans closer to the players. Indeed, one of Manfred's first major contributions to the game was his efforts to promote Play Ball Weekend, an initiative designed to celebrate youth participation in baseball. With over seven hundred major league players participating in the festivities, Manfred's work has done much to bring attention throughout the country to the game of baseball and sparked a renewal in interest amongst the nation's youth. In the words of the commissioner, the Play Ball initiative is "a unified demonstration of the national pastime's
commitment to engaging youth in all facets of our game." Now, the Players Weekend continues to bridge that gap between professional athlete and the fans in the stands.
In another nod to the importance of fan support, major league teams are also featuring a patch on the right
sleeve with a space for players to write the name of a person who helped them develop their love of baseball and reach the major
leagues. In Washington, some Nationals players are using this space to recognize their
parents’ role in their careers while others have opted to recognize their faith or other important guiding figures.
Daniel Murphy’s patch will read “Jesus” while Ryan Zimmerman has opted for “My Family.” In a touching tribute to his former collegiate coach, ace Stephen Strasburg plans to write “TG19″ for Tony Gwynn who passed away from cancer in 2014. Not content to stop there, the Nationals are reproducing these thank-you patches for fans to sign themselves as three large panels
that will be stationed in Nationals Park. The panels are planned to be displayed at Nats Park
throughout the weekend, if not longer.
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| The patch, as seen on the right shoulder of this jersey, can be used by players to honor those who supported them as they chased their major league dreams. |
While baseball may be a business for the players who take the field everyday, it's a past time for the millions of fans, young and old alike, in the stands watching the games. Rob Manfred has done well in this event and, whether you love or hate the new jerseys, you can't argue that it serves to bring the fans closer to the player's personalities. NFL, take note!
Photos are courtesy of MLB.com and CNN.com.
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