MLB Players’ Weekend 2019 names are out!

For the third year in a row MLB is celebrating Players’ Weekend, a lighthearted way to let guys express their personalities a little more than the baseball season, drenched in history and tradition, typically allows. This year, from August 23-25 players will get to wear a name of their choosing, hang out on social media, and more. All while clothed like a business goose in black and white.

Why black and white? According to MLB:

Inspired by players’ style choices when they are away from the field, the fashionable monochromatic uniforms allow for each custom accessory design to stand out more than ever before. During Players’ Weekend, photo shoots will be conducted with players at ballparks to highlight the standout designs, which will be amplified over social media between MLB, the MLBPA, Clubs and most of all, individual player accounts using #PlayersWeekend.

That...makes some sense. In a way. Maybe. If players are really going to be bold with color choices for their accessories this might be a neat look. A Mercury Mets for the 21st century.

Courtesy of MLB, here are the Red Sox nicknames that have been submitted so far:

• Matt Barnes: “BARNESY”
• Andrew Benintendi: “BENNY”
• Mookie Betts: “MOOKIE”
• Xander Bogaerts: “X-MAN”
• Jackie Bradley Jr.: “JBJ”
• Andrew Cashner: “CASH”
• Michael Chavis: “CHIEF”
• Rafael Devers: “CARITA”
• Nathan Eovaldi: “NITRO”
• Darwinzon Hernandez: “HERNANDEZ”
• Brock Holt: “BH”
• Brian Johnson: “BJ”
• Sandy Leon: “NOAH”
• J.D. Martinez: “FLACO”
• Mitch Moreland: “2 - BAGS”
• Steve Pearce: “PEARCE”
• Dustin Pedroia: “PEDEY”
• Rick Porcello: “PORCELLO”
• David Price: “X”
• Eduardo Rodriguez: “EL GUALO”
• Chris Sale: “THE CONDUCTOR”
• Josh Taylor: “TAYLOR”
• Sam Travis: “DR. CHILL”
• Christian Vazquez: “COLO”
• Marcus Walden: “WALDO”
• Ryan Weber: “WEB”
• Brandon Workman: “WORK”

For those keeping track at home, Matt Barnes was Barnacles last year, Holt was Brockstar, Bogaerts was Bodie, Porcello was Ventidos, Steve Pearce went by the name of Late Lightning, and David Price went by Slim Dunkin.

Newcomer Sam Travis as Dr. Chill, and after his big game against the Royals Monday night that’s right in the sweet spot.

Taking a page out of the All-Star Game, players will be sharing a little more in public over their weekend:

New to Players’ Weekend this year will be an expansion of mobile device usage. Prior to the National Anthem, players will be permitted to use their personal handheld mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, on the field or in the dugout to promote the event via social media. Also prior to and after the game, each player will again have the option to wear a t-shirt highlighting a cause or charity of his choice.

That could be fun to see as players goof around each other by their names-of-the-day.

Do you have a favorite nickname? Is there someone you’re hoping will participate with a name you’ve been thinking would be perfect?