MLB Players Weekend returned this season for the first time since 2019, which gave players an enhanced voice and creative outlet as they showcased their personalities with an eye toward growing the game.
Players’ interests, backstories and charitable causes that are important to them were highlighted during the three-day event.
Although player uniforms were not altered in any way, they still had an opportunity to utilize customized bats and wear personalized cleats during Players Weekend 2024.
That amounted to Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Jack Flaherty, among other Los Angeles Dodgers players, sporting customized cleats during the team’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Shohei Ohtani has Decoy cleats for #PlayersWeekend https://t.co/KWx8GFcf60 pic.twitter.com/n7YrJWm6AR
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 16, 2024
Freddie Freeman’s bats and cleats for #PlayersWeekend. #MaxStrong pic.twitter.com/LXd3GsToMv
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 16, 2024
For Mama Flare and LA. 💙
Jack breaks down what his custom cleats mean for #PlayersWeekend. pic.twitter.com/Po71x0mCBy
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 17, 2024
For #PlayersWeekend, we surprised @jflare_ with the same Dodger hat that he wore when he was a kid. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/bnWDxCk1Uq
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 16, 2024
This #PlayersWeekend, we recognize the players that put in work on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/LLUCJXe6Z8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 17, 2024
Giving back to the community to make the world a better place is what it’s all about. #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/C4MK7MmOsD
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 17, 2024
Ohtani’s cleats featured his dog, Decoy (“Dekopin” in Japanese), who became popular when he was seen with the two-way star on MLB Network last year.
Freeman used customized cleats and bats in recognition of the three sons he shares with wife Chelsea Freeman as part of Players Weekend.
Freeman had one bat with each of his sons’ names on them (Charlie, Brandon and Maximus). Each of the designs included “#MaxStrong” to celebrate the progress Max has made in his battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes the body’s immune system to fight its own nerves.
Flaherty wore cleats that paid homage to his Southern California roots and honored his mother, Eileen, who is a breast cancer survivor. The team also surprised Flaherty by presenting him with the same Dodgers hat he wore as a child.
Dodgers charities during Players Weekend
The Dodgers additionally highlighted Clayton Kershaw’s and Mookie Betts’ respective charities during Players Weekend 2024.
Kershaw’s Challenge was established in 2011 and seeks to serve vulnerable and at-risk children living in Los Angeles, Dallas, Zambia and the Dominican Republic.
Betts’ 5050 Foundation has a mission of “breaking the barriers that hold kids back, especially when it comes to their medical and financial needs. The Foundation is empowering the next generation to make the most of their lives – and make a bigger difference in our world.”
The four pillars of the 5050 foundation are mental/emotional health, nutrition, financial literacy and physical fitness.
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