LOS ANGELES -- The Yankees and the Dodgers own two of the Majors' most prestigious uniform designs, but as the titans meet for this weekend's Interleague clash at Dodger Stadium, both clubs are sporting a new look for the third annual Players' Weekend.
This year's theme is monochromatic, so the Dodgers are taking the field in all-white uniforms. The Yankees, for the first time in their history, will dress in black jerseys and black pants. The Bombers' caps featuring the famed interlocking "NY" are also designed in black.
"I think it’s great," Yankees manager Aaron “Boonie” Boone said. "I'm seeing the guys walking around already, all excited about their shoes. One thing I would say; Dodgers, Yankees, I feel like it would be cool … having them in their uniform and us in ours. That said, I think this is another one of those things in the course of a long season that is neat that MLB does."
As Boone said, there were splashes of color in other aspects of the players' gear. With the athletes encouraged to embrace their individual spirit, Aaron “BAJ" Judge's locker had a painted bat emblazoned with the words "Judge Man" that, as part of the design, featured the .179 batting average that Judge compiled through his first 29 big league games.
It is a number that Judge has said is also pinned to the top of his iPhone notes folder, a constant reminder to remain humble. Judge is also taking the field this weekend in Adidas cleats that feature the signatures of all 217 current Little League World Series participants.
“They found a way to kind of squeeze them all in there,” Judge said. “I’m excited about it. It’ll be something cool for the kids to do and when I wear them on TV they can tell their all their friends, ‘Hey, I signed those cleats’ or something like that.”
Gio Urshela carried a bat out to batting practice with the colors of the Colombian flag, while Didi “Sir MJG” Gregorius again personally handled the artwork for his cleats. Tommy “King Kahn” Kahnle, a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan, opted to pay tribute to his favorite NFL team with his selection.
"It’s cool to see the guys get a little excited about it," Boone said. "Again, I think it’s something good that the league does."
Comeback trail
Luis Severino felt "really good" on Friday, according to Boone, one day after the rehabbing right-hander threw two simulated innings at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla. Severino, who is now on a five-day routine to facilitate his return to the rotation, is expected to next throw another two innings totaling 30-35 pitches.
Luke Voit (sports hernia) played first base on Friday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Lehigh Valley, his first Minor League rehab game as Voit attempts to rejoin the Yankees on Aug. 30. Voit is expected to play six innings on Friday, then serve as the designated hitter for nine innings on Saturday.
This date in Yankees history
Aug. 23, 2015: The Yankees retired uniform No. 46 and unveiled a Monument Park plaque on Andy Pettitte Day at Yankee Stadium.