Players’ Weekend is happening from August 15 to August 17 this year.
This time, there’s a twist: no more nicknames on jerseys like "Not Justin" for Shane Bieber or "Corey’s Brother" for Kyle Seager.
Noah Garden said, "Not this year," explaining they wanted to try something new with the gear instead.
New Gear and Themes:
Instead of nicknames, players will personalize their bats and cleats. They might honor their hometowns, favorite characters , or family members. Players will also wear team hats with their numbers on the side for the first time.
Each day of Players’ Weekend has a theme:
- Fun (Friday, Aug. 16): Showcasing players’ personalities and interests.
- Causes (Saturday, Aug. 17): Highlighting charitable efforts.
- Appreciation (Sunday, Aug. 18): Celebrating those who helped them reach the majors.
Fans love getting closer to their favorite players in unique ways!
MLB wants fans to see beyond stats like Paul Skenes’ strikeouts or Aaron Judge’s home runs. Garden said it’s about showing what happens behind the scenes: “What kind of car does Judge drive? What does Bryce Harper eat for breakfast?”
An ad campaign featuring Brian Tyree Henry aims to attract more viewers.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/l5Gr3dX1qb0
Despite efforts like the "let the kids play" campaign, MLB still faces criticism for not marketing its players well compared to other sports. Garden acknowledges this but believes young players who grew up with social media can change that narrative.
The weekend ends with an ESPN broadcast of the Little League Classic between the Yankees and Tigers in Williamsport. This event is part of MLB’s push to attract younger fans:
- Median ticket buyer age dropped from 51 to 45 since 2019.
- Increase in ticket buyers aged 18-35 by nearly 10%.
- Younger fan database accounts have grown significantly.
Baseball remains popular among boys aged 6-12 and is often played alongside softball.
Some argue NFL’s popularity overshadows MLB but Garden sees it as co-existing rather than competing: “The more people watching sports, the better fans you become.”
MLB games are frequent and long-seasoned compared to other sports which keeps fans engaged but also means less downtime for players to engage on social media or other ventures.
Regional nature of baseball means many fans only watch their local teams; Players’ Weekend aims to create national stars out of these regional favorites by showcasing their personalities and passions beyond just game stats.
Here are some key broadcasts during Players’ Weekend:
- Blue Jays vs Cubs at 2:20 PM ET Friday on Apple TV+
- Mariners vs Pirates at 6:40 PM ET Friday on Apple TV+
- Yankees vs Tigers at 1 PM ET Saturday on MLB Network
- Dodgers vs Cardinals at 1 PM ET Saturday on Fox
- Guardians vs Brewers at 7:15 PM ET Saturday on Fox
- Marlins vs Mets at 12:05 PM ET Sunday on Roku
- Yankees vs Tigers at Williamsport at 7:10 PM ET Sunday on ESPN
MLB hopes this weekend brings new fans into baseball just in time for exciting playoff races! What do you think about these changes?
