Players Week

For the second consecutive year, Major Leaguers will put their personalities and passions on the field when Players' Weekend takes center stage during all games from Friday, Aug. 24, through Sunday, Aug. 26.

Sure, the name on the front of the jersey will always carry more weight than the name on the back. But when Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association first introduced Players' Weekend last summer, the game embraced individuality, allowing the charisma and creativity of players like "Mr. Smile" (Francisco Lindor), "Big Maple" (James Paxton) and "Wild Horse" (Yasiel Puig) to rise to the surface like never before.

Players' Weekend presented by Valspar will again bring a bright splash of color to baseball the weekend of Aug. 24-26 with a relaxation of uniform rules and an opportunity for players to salute those who helped pave their paths to the bigs.

Players' Weekend presented by Valspar will again bring a bright splash of color to baseball the weekend of Aug. 24-26 with a relaxation of uniform rules and an opportunity for players to salute those who helped pave their paths to the bigs.

Once again, nicknames will replace surnames on jerseys, which will feature colorful concoctions and youthful designs. The bats, spikes, batting gloves, wristbands and catcher's masks will beam a little brighter. Players will have the option of wearing T-shirts highlighting a cause or charity during pregame workouts and post game interviews.

And on the right sleeve of each uniform will be a patch on which players can write the name of a person who either aided in their development or inspired them. The patches and caps will also feature the "Evolution" logo, showing a progression of five players increasing in size to demonstrate the process of a player's path from Little League, through youth leagues and to the Majors -- a show of solidarity with youth baseball and softball programs.

Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off at MLB.com, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, a joint effort focused on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and Canada. Ozzie Albies, Jose Berrios, Alex Bregman, Edwin Diaz, Didi Gregorius, Enrique Hernandez, Rhys Hoskins, Brandon Nimmo and Albert Pujols will be serving as Youth Ambassadors, promoting the event and connecting with young fans in advance of the weekend.