Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz is expected to be among Nike Jumpman MLB players wearing the Nike Griffey 2 MCS Jackie Robinson Day cleats Tuesday (April 15) to honor the National Baseball Hall of Famer who broke baseball's color barrier.
Reds Hall of Famer and former Moeller High School standout Ken Griffey Jr.'s Swingman logo is embroidered on the heel of the shoe, and "42" logos in colors representing MLB teams are featured, with additional "42" branding on the insoles.
Every player league-wide is wearing No. 42 on the jersey and hat to honor Robinson, thanks to Griffey.
Last year, De La Cruz wore custom Jordan 4 shoes with "JRD" and "42" on them for Jackie Robinson Day. De La Cruz had signed with the Jordan brand the previous offseason.
Teammate Hunter Greene is a Nike client as well.
Ken Griffey Jr. was the first to ask to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.
In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's big-league debut, then-MLB commissioner Selig retired Robinson's number. Griffey, who was playing for Seattle at the time, asked to switch from his No. 24 to Robinson's 42. Griffey said Selig suggested asking Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow.
Griffey was told he could wear No. 42, with the offer also extended to any player wanting to honor Robinson in such a way. In 2009, Selig announced that everyone in uniform would wear the number on Jackie Robinson Day.
A photo of this year's Jackie Robinson Day shoe from Twitter/X via @nicekicks:
OFFICIAL LOOK 👀
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) February 18, 2025
Nike Griffey 2 MCS "Jackie Robinson Day" pic.twitter.com/qzYzBCyKKY
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elly De La Cruz to wear Jackie Robinson Day Nike Griffey 2 MCS cleats
