Aside from the little league-style uniforms, one of the coolest parts about MLB Players’ Weekend is the fact that players can wear whatever custom gear they want and use whichever equipment they like. Every player also wears a custom patch on their uniform to pay tribute to whomever they wish.
Typically, Major League Baseball is pretty stringent on their requirements for equipment, whether it’s cleats, bats, elbow pads, or shinguards. Those restrictions come off for Players’ Weekend and many of the Toronto Blue Jays showcased a bit of their personality through their custom gear.
Curtis Granderson is wearing three different sets of custom cleats for the weekend series against the Phillies. They all pay homage to his hometown of Chicago. Afterwards, he’s raffling these sweet kicks off to benefit Jays Care and Granderson’s foundation, the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy.
A great cause and a great looking pair of cleats! @cgrand3 is auctioning off 3 pairs of custom game worn cleats from the weekend to support @JaysCare & @CBEA_UIC.
Take a look! https://t.co/Fyr3aFEZqS pic.twitter.com/E1eMBcq2fp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 25, 2018
Now’s your chance to snag my custom cleats from yesterday’s #PlayersWeekend game! Click here for more info: https://t.co/EqiPWaUb93 pic.twitter.com/QcYFwuaOSx
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand3) August 25, 2018
As a new dad, Kevin Pillar gave thanks to his baby girl, Kobie Ray.
I do it for you Kobie Rae… #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/KtPNBWpHiL
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) August 24, 2018
Pillar’s custom bat looks like a paint department at Home Depot gone awry. Rest assured that someone designed the bat to look this way.
#PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/OYr9Ea5bSv
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) August 25, 2018
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s cleats easily top the list as the best piece of custom equipment on a Blue Jays player. La Piñitaaa translates to “pineapple” and if you’ve ever seen Gurriel Jr.’s hair, it makes total sense why he’s called that.
A look at Lourdes "La Piñnitaa" Gurriel's custom cleats. pic.twitter.com/ut9dDWQtyH
— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) August 25, 2018
Pitcher Marcus Stroman gave a shoutout to his day-ones: his family.
La Familia! #HDMH @BlueJays @HDMHApparel pic.twitter.com/3YH1OARAPF
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) August 24, 2018
Blue Jays reliever Ryan Tepera spices up his typical Adidas cleats with this blue-white paint splatter design.
Personalized @adidasBaseball cleats for #PlayersWeekend #52 pic.twitter.com/YVKV4JROkj
— Ryan Tepera (@RTepera) August 25, 2018
Tepera customized his uniform patch to thank his parents and his big sister, Marissa.
Family is everything! #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/taR7SgILHu
— Ryan Tepera (@RTepera) August 25, 2018
Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk used his custom patch to thank the folks that took him to countless little league games over the years: his parents.