Reaction to Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announcing Players Weekend (Aug. 25-27) has been overwhelmingly positive from those participating, fans and media alike. In addition to being permitted to wear specially-designed cleats and batting gloves, players have the option to don a jersey with a nickname in place of their last name.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have several players, including Cody Bellinger, Kiké Hernandez, Kenley Jansen, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner and Chase Utley participating. Somewhat predictably, Corey Seager is not.
Conversely, Seager’s brother, Kyle, is taking part in the Players Weekend festivities. The All-Star third baseman has established himself with the Seattle Mariners and someone with a keen sense of humor.
Kyle selected “Corey’s Brother” as a nickname, which was also what he named his championship-winning fantasy football team last season. When informed his younger brother passed on a nickname jersey, Kyle couldn’t help but poke fun, via Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times:
“He’s boring,” Kyle Seager said. “You’ve gotta to do better than that. If you’re going to play that good, then you gotta do something.”
The ‘boring’ Seager brother is batting .307/.399/.525 with 29 doubles, 19 home runs and 55 RBI in a quiet season that at least is on par with his 2016 campaign. Seager was not only a unanimous selection for National League Rookie of the Year but he also finished third in MVP voting.
The 23-year-old has been overshadowed by Cody Bellinger’s exploits this season, which is precisely what Seager prefers. Since making his MLB debut in 2015, Seager has been comfortable outside of the spotlight all the while being crucial to the Dodgers success.
His demeanor and attitude has often been compared to that of Chase Utley, who has served as a mentor since becoming teammates with Seager.
