:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60785047/usa_today_10238051.0.jpg)
Major League Baseball will celebrate the second annual Players’ Weekend from August 24 - 26. Teams sport alternate uniforms, and players can wear custom accessories as well as feature nicknames on their jerseys. For the Yankees, this represents a refreshing change of pace, adding fun and levity into the otherwise dog days of the season.
Earlier today, uniforms appeared in the MLB.com shop. The Yankees’ navy-and-gray jerseys feature the team’s name in script on the front.
hello operator, please insert Didi's Players' Weekend jersey directly into my veins, thank you pic.twitter.com/zBzW1kj7Ey
— Andrew Mearns (@MearnsPSA) August 9, 2018
That’s pretty cool. But it’s the cap, however, that steals the show. The Yankees’ version reminds me of the retro New York Highlanders hat the team wore for Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary. I loved that look then, so this style is a welcome addition now.
Players' Weekend! Fun! Bright colors!
— Sam (@sgreen3) August 9, 2018
Yankees: Our hats are grey.
I don't particularly care, but it is objectively hilarious. pic.twitter.com/nvSglyojUe
Some may find it boring, but I am a fan.
As for the nicknames, they need discussing. The team hasn’t issued an official announcement yet, but some perusing around the MLB.com shop produced the working list. Some are good, while others are questionable.
Here are the rest of the Yankees' nicknames that you can see when you go to customize a Players Weekend jersey. (h/t @benyankee) pic.twitter.com/DpKfm3vQEy
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) August 9, 2018
First, how great is Didi Gregorius? The Knight makes for one awesome nickname. It’s also accurate too! As Kunj mentioned around the Pinstripe Alley headquarters, next year he should opt for emojis. Brad Boxberger may!
Other cool nicknames include Dellin Betances (El Acido), Miguel Andujar (Papá), Masahiro Tanaka (Tanaka Time), Giancarlo Stanton (G), and CC Sabathia (Dub). Lance Lynn and MIA raises some questions. Is that a reference to anything in particular? Maybe he just really enjoyed the song Paper Planes. Or could it be in homage to one Mauro Ranallo. There are so many questions.
As for the disappointments, they stack up fast. Last year Aaron Judge explained that he had to be persuaded into wearing All Rise. Now he is just going with his last name. How boring! Greg Bird, Brett Gardner, and several others fit into that category. Have some fun, guys.
Another let down is how many opted for the Joe Girardi inspired nicknames. Last year Aaron Hicks nailed it with the A-A-Ron jersey. Now he’s going with Hicksie. Walkie, Greeny, and Holdy are not much better. Those nicknames got old very quickly, and apparently they’re back with a vengeance.
Players’ Weekend may get on the nerves of some Yankees fans, especially those who revere the tradition and pinstripes. It’s a fun time though, and there needs to be more fun in baseball. What do you think? Are there any jerseys that you enjoy? Could you come up with better nicknames? Let us know in the comment section below!