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.

#5 – Luke Maile: “Lukey Barrels”

If there was a title for “Most Improved” Players Weekend nickname, Luke Maile would be a front-runner. After donning “Mailes” last year, the new nickname he has this year is a big step in the right direction. This nickname came to fruition early on in the season, when Luke came through with some big hits including a walk-off home run against the Red Sox on April 17th.

Since then, Jays players and broadcasters have started calling him Lukey Barrels, and the nickname has stuck. Even though it doesn’t get thrown around too much nowadays with Maile getting sparing playing time behind rookie Danny Jansen, when you hear ‘Lukey Barrels’ being used it’s usually after the catcher comes clutch on offense or throws out a baserunner foolish enough to test out his cannon.

#4 – Ken Giles: “100 Miles Giles”

Newly acquired reliever Ken Giles earned his nickname early on in his career when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. Stemming from the uncanny ability to reach triple digits with his fastball, “100 Miles Giles’ is a nickname intended to unnerve opposing batsmen, which Giles has struck out at an incredible 12.02 (!!) K/9 innings. That strikeout rate is one of the best of all-time (if Giles had enough innings to qualify) and his blazing fastball surely has something to do with it.

“100 Miles Giles” is a great nickname, arguably the best on the team, but I don’t have it as #1 because the moniker is not nearly as prevalent as it once was.

This season, Giles’ fastball soars at an average velo of 97.2 mph, and since being acquired by the Blue Jays earlier this month he hasn’t even touched triple digits once.

So even though it’s a fantastic nickname, Giles needs do a better job at backing it up in order to preserve its legitimacy. “97 Miles Giles” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

#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.