MLB bringing back Players Weekend with 1 big change
Oct 26, 2021; Houston, TX, USA; MLB commissioner Rob Manfred before game one of the 2021 World Series between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
After a four-year absence, Major League Baseball is set to bring back its Players Weekend promotion, albeit with one significant change.
MLB set the weekend of Aug. 16-18 as this year’s Players Weekend, with each day set to spotlight a different aspect of player lives, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Friday will highlight their personalities and off-field lives, Saturday will feature their charity work, and Sunday will focus on mentors that helped them succeed in their careers.
Perhaps the most memorable part of previous Players Weekend festivities will not be returning, however. While players will wear specialized caps and can use custom bats and cleats, they will not have the opportunity to put their own nicknames on the back of their jerseys as they did previously. Some players had used that to pay tribute to others, while others took the opportunity to publicize weird and funny nicknames.
MLB wants to reach a younger audience, and focusing on the players and their personalities is a decent way to do that. They will just have to cope without the special jerseys this time.
