Rating the Phillies Players Weekend jerseys

From Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27, Major League Baseball and the Players Association will hold the first-ever “Players Weekend,” a player-focused event that will allow players to showcase their personalities and passions like never before.

The weekend is part of a continuing effort by MLB to market the game to younger people. Some critics say baseball players are not allowed to show their emotions and personalities on the field, and this event aims to change that.

As part of this event, players will wear alternate hats and jerseys throughout the weekend, with nicknames chosen by the players on their nameplates in place of their last names (although some players just chose to go with their surname).

Here is what the Phils’ jerseys will say.

The jersey design isn’t the best, but the hat is straight fire.

Below are the best and most creative Phils’ jerseys nicknames, along with some of the ones that weren’t exactly winners.

THE CLEAR WINNER:

Phillies back-up catcher Andrew Knapp is the hands-down winner for best nickname on the team. I mean, that’s just insanely good.

REALLY CREATIVE:

Outfielder Aaron Altherr’s nickname harkens back to this classic Key & Peele sketch.

And you don’t have to be a regular in order to have a primo nickname, as evidenced by relievers Ricardo Pinto and Casey Fien.

And of course, there’s the always wonderful Odubel Herrera’s moniker.

COMPA PALS:

Three Latino players, Luis Garcia, Maikel Franco, Cesar Hernandez and Hector Neris, all went with “Compa” followed by a letter.

In spanish, “compa” means “pal” or “bud,” which is probably the cutest thing of all-time.

NOTABLES:

Hats off to new outfielder Hyun-soo Kim, whose jersey features his name in Korean script.

Cesar Hernandez’ reads “Cesita,” Vince Velasquez’ is “Vincente” (hopefully not channeling the spirit of Vicente Padilla in that one), Jared Eickhoff’s is simply “Eick.”

Andres Blanco’s “Whitey” rings a little strange, given that Rich “Whitey” Ashburn is a legend in Philadelphia. But hey, it’s the dude’s nickname. Some of the others include “Nicky Dubs” for Nick Williams, “Pavo” for Cameron Rupp (no obvious reason for that one), “TK” for Ty Kelly, “Toco” for Freddy Galvis, “Tojo” for Tommy Joseph and “A-Mo” for Adam Morgan.

THE NO-FUN GANG:

Cameron Perkins, Aaron Nola, Daniel Nava and Nick Pivetta, all chose to use their last name on the backs of their jerseys.

As long as Nola keeps pitching like he has, he can put whatever the heck he wants on the back of his jersey.

ONE FINAL JERSEY OF NOTE:

I would be remiss not to include this jersey, from a former Phillie now playing for another franchise.

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