An overwhelmingly positive response last season led to MLB returning Players’ Weekend in 2018, which for the Los Angeles Dodgers begins Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres.
Just like in 2017, Players’ Weekend is being used as an opportunity to put nicknames on the back of jerseys, and for players to wear cleats and accessories that wouldn’t typically be permitted or in compliance with a team’s colors.
While not all Dodgers players are taking advantage, most are, and one of which is Kiké Hernandez. He again went with “Kiké” as a nickname and is incorporating odes to Puerto Rico:
#PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/Bn0x2thcPi
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) August 24, 2018
Meanwhile, Kenley Jansen returns with “Kenleyfornia” as his nickname, and is pairing it with custom Jordan cleats in Lakers colors. Jansen also shared a look at Manny Machado’s jersey and footwear:
There they are…
represent @Lakers purple & gold 🙏🏽…@jumpman23 x 2, me and #ElMinistro Machado Js. 🔥#playersweekend #KenleyforniaLove @mlb_players @peloteros_mlb @dodgers pic.twitter.com/7iFEEZJtU3
— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) August 24, 2018
That Jansen would choose to wear cleats with Lakers colors on them is hardly a surprise. He’s attended several of their games over recent years, and recently received a LeBron James jersey from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. Jansen also caught the ceremonial first pitch from Lonzo Ball last season.
Although Players’ Weekend makes for a fun environment on the field, the Dodgers are looking to stop their slide and avoid falling further behind in the National League West standings.
