Under Armour endorser Bryce Harper seems to relish big events, as evidenced by the customized cleats and bat he debuted on the 4th of July.
The Washington Nationals star hoped to use a bat on Independence Day decorated with an image of the Statue of Liberty and the inscription: "Freedom is never given. It's won." But the outfielder -- who also had cleats customized with symbols of the military service branches -– had his plans derailed by Major League Baseball rules.
"One day I hope players in the @MLB can express the way they feel and give thanks to everybody that makes our lives possible and safe every single day through bats or cleats or anything to that point," the player wrote on Instagram.
Harper isn't likely to have such issues with his new All-Star game cleats. They're a variation of Under Armour's Harper One, but in a new color -– platinum.
The shoes contain a number of Harper-specific details.
"Sewn into the tongue of the Harper One are the numbers "220" -- which has come to be Bryce's mantra, signifying 'Second to None,'" an Under Armour publicist wrote.
The shoe will be available next week, along with a model in the black and gold color pattern that he has already debuted on the field. The All-Star game is Tuesday in San Diego.