MLB Players Share the Sneakers That Got Them Started

What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?

Reebok ATR Reload "Steve Francis"

What kind of connection did you make with that sneaker and why?

I thought it was cool. The thing that made me wanna collect more was, I didn't fall in love with Steve Francis, I just thought it was cool to have another pair of shoes. I saw him wearing Jordans all the time. I think the Aqua 8s were the first shoe I saw him wear. I was like, "Those are sick! I want them!" I started researching Jordans and getting to know all the names of every shoe. I started remembering the price. I got good, everyday going on Sole Collector (and) seeing all the prices and sizes too.

How has that sneaker connection influenced all the sneakers you’ve bought up to this point?

I would say that had I gotten that pair, I would not have been collecting shoes. I never really cared for shoes. That's kinda like what started it, but then I found like a love for it. I love having shoes. I love going to sleep looking at my shoes. It kinda became weird how much I was into shoes. Then putting them on my feet and I had the worst outfit because I wasn't buying clothes. I was just buying shoes. I got really excited once I signed 'cause then I also bought a lot of clothes to match the shoes that I had. It all took off then.

How has this helped you in other aspects in life?

I would say it kept me out of trouble. I never really got into much trouble after I fell in love with shoes. I didn't really hang out with the bad kids. I was focused on my shoe collection (and) my shoe grind. I had a little group of friends that were all into shoes so I mean all we were talking (about was) shoes.

Ever pitch the idea of designing / creating your cleat / shoe?

I would love to make a baseball cleat. I feel I would make one that's best for me. The most comfortable cleat for me to wear, so definitely like a mid-top cleat. If I ever had an opportunity with Nike I would do it. I would love to create a cleat and a shoe. I want to be so perfect with a shoe that I'd be thinking about it endlessly, Andy I'd make the most perfect cleat and shoe possible. Especially during the offseason I have so much time, I would just be thinking about putting my heart into a cleat and a shoe that every kid would love and understand what went into that.

What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?

FILA "Sosa Strength" Trainer

What kind of connection did you make with that sneaker and why?

Yea, I (was) excited because when you try to get something and it's a little difficult to get it,  when you get it, you're excited. I (was) excited every time I wore those shoes. At that time, everybody liked those shoes 'cause Sammy Sosa, all he (did was) hit homers. He's very (a) popular Dominican player.

How has that sneaker connection influenced all the sneakers you’ve bought up to this point?

I like Jordan sneakers, that's my favorite. The number 4 and 12, that's my favorite one. I really love that. Every time (David Price), he (has) a contract with Jordan and he knows I love the 4s and 12s, gets boxes of shoes he (brings) 4-5 pairs and gives it to me. When you really love shoes like that, Jordan, Nike, whatever you like and you get it, you try to wear it every time you can. You try to take care (of it) the most you can.

How has this helped you in other aspects in life?

For me it's tough. I take care of a couple of friends that (grew) up with me. They don't have much money to buy expensive shoes that I have. I used my money that Nike (gave) to me and get shoes for all my friends to make sure they look good (and) they're happy with me. They can be like, "Oh I got a new pair of shoes. My homie (Fernando) gave them to me." They make me feel proud for helping everybody out.

Ever pitch the idea of designing / creating your cleat / shoe?

I want to. If they do that, I'd appreciate that. If they plan to do that in the future I'd be open to do that. So (Nike) takes care of me good. They send every shoe that I like. If I like some special shoes or custom shoes, I have to go use my card, the one they gave to me and I get whatever I like.

What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?

Adidas KB8 (now known as Crazy 8)

What kind of connection did you make with that sneaker and why?

For me, I just tried to look fly for the basketball court. I'm not really attached to anything man, to be honest with you, but back in the day, (when) Kobe first came to the scene, he won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie. And obviously Jordan is Jordan. I was just trying to have the freshest pair in the park and rec basketball league.

How has that sneaker connection influenced all the sneakers you’ve bought up to this point?

I don't consider myself a sneakerhead, but the shoes I like to collect now are designer sneakers. Gucci, Prada, Bally, Balenciaga, Margiela, like I just love designer sneakers. You can dress them up. You can dress them down. The more you wear them, the better they feel. The more you scuff them up, the more character it gives them—the cooler they are. So right now I'm really big on designer sneakers. I think now, the appeal that some of these designer sneakers have is (that) they kinda have an athletic look. Specifically, I have a pair of Guccis (shoes) that are black and red. They really pop so I like to showcase the entire shoe with a nice pair of tapered jeans or slacks.

How has this helped you in other aspects in life?

I'm fortunate, again, to have a contract with adidas where I can spend a certain amount on myself or on family members (for) gifts. My parents, my homies, and my relatives, keeping a nice pair of shoes on their feet, not even for style but for more comfort purposes is great dude. Just think if you had a relative in your family you literally never had to pay for shoes (for). I like being able to buy for my friends and family on that level. It's a testament to the hard work for earning the contract, but also adidas rewarding me with the contract. It's nice to look out for my friends and family on the sneaker side.

Ever pitch the idea of designing / creating your cleat / shoe?

I've been talking to adidas about that a little bit now. They're a very open-minded organization. I don't know if I'll ever design my own shoe, but I have my own colorways that specifically I'll only wear. Whatever comes to me is the only thing that's produced. It's cool 'cause not every company does that. I'm very fortunate that adidas has selected me as one of the guys who get to be somewhat of a brand ambassador to create his own colorway. The (Tampa Bay) Rays colors are really, really nice. The navy blue and baby blue, they go really well. We have a hint of yellow also that I'd like sprinkle in.

What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?

Air Jordan 9 "White/Black" (Space Jam)

What kind of connection did you make with that sneaker and why?

It was like an emotional feeling where I finally was able to buy my own self a pair of nice shoes. My senior year, in basketball, to play on the team we required you to have Jordans. So I took those (9s) and played in them and messed them up or whatever, but at that point I had gotten a couple more so I wasn't really too worried about it. But yea to know that I was able to get my own pair of shoes and do whatever I wanted in those, it was a great feeling. My first job was at Finish Line. I worked there just so I can get the discount for shoes. That was kinda how it began, just in high school wanting to impress girls.

How has that sneaker connection influenced all the sneakers you’ve bought up to this point?

Now since I signed with Jordan, it's gotten me to the point where I kinda pay attention to all different numbers, all different color schemes, all different types of everything. Even now looking at adidas and other shoe brands I have learned to look at it and appreciate the looks and art of what all shoes are. It's really broaden my spectrum of shoes really.

How has this helped you in other aspects in life?

It's pretty cool to know that people are kinda looking and wanting the cleats that you wear. When I was younger I didn't pay attention to that type of stuff, so knowing that kids do (today) is really cool. If I get shipments of shoes I try and keep a couple that I like and then I try to give to kids. Give the ones that I don't want or the ones that I think would look nice on other people. I try to give and spread the love pretty much. I think doing that, obviously you help out a good cause and you just help other people get into shoes to.

Ever pitch the idea of designing / creating your cleat / shoe?

I mean we really haven't talked about it. We kind of design (and) customize our own shoe within Jordan. But I know it takes time, like (Derek) Jeter didn't start off with his own shoe, but he built it to be able to create his own shoe. So I know it's going to take time and effort, and a lot to get to that point, but at some point I would like to make my own shoe and put it into retail.

(translated by New York Yankees Spanish interpreter Marlon Abreu)

What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?

Any Nike high top sneakers; I don’t really remember a specific pair, but (instead) a specific style, which is high top sneakers.

What kind of connection did you make with those sneakers and why?

It started early on (when) I used to be a little kid in Cuba. Back then I couldn’t really have more than one pair, or two. It was a different time back then in Cuba. But then when I started playing for the national team, I started to travel a little bit. Whenever I had the opportunity I would bring an extra, one (or) two pairs. After I left Cuba, I lived in Spain for a little bit of time. During my time there I learned about the different brands and the different styles. Once I got here I had the opportunity to see what option you had. The many options. That’s when I really started buying and collecting more.

How has that sneaker connection influenced all the sneakers you’ve bought up to this point?

Once I had the opportunity to go ahead and buy (high top) sneakers, that’s usually my preference. I'm the kind of person that likes to be presentable, either on the field or off the field. I like to be presentable and I think it's important because you show the younger guys behind me that they can also be presentable on and off the field.

How has this helped you in other aspects in life?

At the moment you definitely feel happy when that moment arrives, when you have the opportunity to buy exactly what you like and what you enjoy. You feel happy. You feel proud about that, not (just) for yourself, but also for your family. To have the opportunity to take your family and go shopping, and buy exactly what you want. Either being a car or just nice clothes and sneakers, you definitely feel happy about that.

Ever pitch the idea of designing / creating your cleat / shoe?

Yea, definitely. As of right now we're working on something (with adidas). Hopefully it's going to happen in the near future. It's going to be a line of clothes and sneakers that show the style that I like. So hopefully yes.