Toronto Blue Jays: 5 Best Players Weekend nicknames

With Players Weekend this weekend, what are the best nicknames the Toronto Blue Jays players will wear on their back?

This Friday kicks off the second annual Players Weekend, a three-day stretch where Major League Baseball lets players swag out on the field by letting them put cool nicknames on funky-colored jerseys and wear whatever flashy equipment they could only dream of using any other time in the season. The Toronto Blue Jays host the contending Philadelphia Phillies for the weekend.

After a successful inaugural Players Weekend last year, it seems to have only gotten bigger. Apparel companies are taking the initiative to provide players with decked-out gear, such as the nickname-inspired bats Louisville Slugger provided for their sponsored athletes:

Every player gets to don a nickname on the back of their jersey (except for the boring players who couldn’t think of a nickname. Half of the nicknames are just word-play on a guy’s last name, it’s really not that hard. You’re better than that, Wil Myers).

The Toronto Blue Jays variations of nicknames are consistent with the rest of the league; few don creative non-name based monikers, usually just slightly altering one’s last name to make it sound somewhat catchy. As a result, I’ve taken the initiative to list the five best nicknames adorned by Blue Jays players. And no, Josh Donaldson‘s “Bringer of Rain” did not make it on the list. It really isn’t a good nickname especially since he gave it to himself.

Without further ado, check out the most creative nicknames you’ll see on the back of the home team’s jerseys at the Rogers Centre as the Philadelphia Phillies come to town for a 3-game interleague series, hoping to keep pace with the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, while the Jays intend to give the Braves some breathing room.

#3 – Yangervis Solarte: “Tutu”

Yangervis Solarte‘s nickname, Tutu, is one of the best among his teammates due to its originality and representation of his vibrant personality.

Solarte is one of the most charismatic (and gif-able) players in the entire league; with his electric energy, slew of nicknames, and fun dance moves, Players Weekend is made for guys like him. Solarte is a likable player who has become a fan favourite in just his first season with the Blue Jays.

In what has been an otherwise bleak 2018 campaign in Toronto, Solarte is a bright spot who has a knack for getting fans out of their seats with his electric home run trot followed by his signature salsa dance.

Solarte is a man of many nicknames. He donned “Pituki” on his Players Weekend jersey last year when he was with the San Diego Padres, and anytime the Blue Jays tweet something about him it’s usually accompanied with #ElSexyTime. I thought Solarte would go with #YanSolo, a play on his name that doubles down as a clever Star Wars reference.

However, I’m glad Solarte went with an original nickname in “Tutu”, which was given by a friend who preferred calling him that than trying to pronounce his first name. I’m sure it’s well-liked by his three daughters, and a tutu would be a nice accessory for Solarte when he uses the Rogers Centre artificial turf as a dance floor.

#2 – Teoascar Hernandez: “Oca”

Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez has been one of the Blue Jays’ best hitters in his first full season with the team. After he was acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros late last season, he made a great first impression by hitting 8 home runs in just 27 games as a September call-up with his new team. This season, Teo’s 18 long balls are tied for the second-most on the team.

His nickname is one most baseball fans would need to google to know how funny it is. The 25-year old Dominican chose a moniker that comes from his Spanish roots, as”Oca” stands for “Goose” in Hernandez’s native tongue.

Teoscar has yet to explain where his nickname comes from, but putting “Goose” on the back of his jersey is hilarious enough it doesn’t need context. I couldn’t make a guess as to where Hernandez got the nickname “Goose” from, but it has geographic allure as the Canada goose is the unofficial national bird, although they occasionally make pit stops at Comerica Park.

#1 – Marco Estrada: “Estratosphere”

And finally, the best Toronto Blue Jays’ Players Weekend nickname will be worn by Marco Estrada. This is the second consecutive year Estrada’s nickname was a play on his name, but this one is better than when “Estradabien” donned the back of his jersey for the 2017 Players Weekend.

It comes as a slight surprise that Estrada wears a Blue Jays jersey this Players Weekend as he was considered a trade candidate at July’s non-waiver trade deadline, but his 4.88 ERA, 6.64 K/9 and .801 opp. OPS makes him a less-than-favorable deadline acquisition for contending teams. However, Estrada has won his last two starts (albeit against the Royals and Orioles) and could still clear waivers and be dealt prior to the August 31st waiver trade deadline. He has one of the best changeups in the game, and when it’s working there are few big league hitters who can touch it.

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“Estratosphere” is a great play on words, and I’m not the only one who thinks it’s the best nickname to be adorned by a Blue Jay this weekend.

Given Estrada’s lackluster season, “Estratosphere” can be viewed by Blue Jays fans as self-deprecating humor because opposing hitters have sent Marco’s pitches into orbit quite often. Estrada’s 1.60 HR/9 IP this season is the 5th-worst mark in the entire league, but since he’s spent a considerable amount of time on the disabled list he doesn’t qualify for the league minimum innings to be on the list.

Marco Estrada is expected to make Saturday’s start against the Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays fans will hope that he doesn’t live up to his nickname. The Rogers Centre will be host to a lot of home fans who will get to experience all the fun that Players Weekend offers.