Thirteen MLB Players With Signature Shoes

New Balance, Nike, and Under Armour have created signature sneaker lines for MLB players.

Pat Benson | Apr 15, 2023

In this story:

With the new MLB season already in full swing, fans have been inundated with new marketing campaigns for the superstars on the field. It is refreshing to see baseball players get the love they deserve, as it used to be the norm.

When fans hear signature sneakers, they often think of basketball players. However, there are a handful of baseball players that have enjoyed the level of popularity required to earn a signature sneaker line. Below is the complete list of MLB players with signature sneaker lines.

Signature Sneaker Lines of MLB Players

Bo Jackson

It would be disrespectful not to start the conversation with one of the greatest athletes of all time. The two-sport phenom could do it all - football, baseball, star in video games, and sell shoes.

That is why Jackson got his own signature line beginning in 1990 with the Nike Air Trainer SC. Jackson's kicks still regularly get retro treatment thanks to nostalgia and their timeless appeal. Currently, fans can purchase the shoes at a discount on the Nike website.

Deion Sanders

Sticking with the theme of two-sport athletes, Deion Sanders is near the top of the list of American athletes. Like Bo Jackson, Sanders played in the NFL and MLB (sometimes on the same day).

Beginning in 1993, Nike released the Nike Air Diamond Turf, Turf II, and eventually the Air DT Max 4. After his playing days ended, Sanders teamed up with Under Armour. However, now that Sanders is coaching football at the University of Colorado, a reunion with Nike is already taking shape.

Michael Jordan

It is impossible to have a discussion about performance footwear without invoking Michael Jordan. Although his baseball career was short-lived, Jordan did play professionally during his hiatus from the NBA.

In 1997, Nike launched Jordan Brand (at the time called "Brand Jordan"), and its success cannot be understated. Not only is Jordan's signature basketball shoe line still going strong, but fans can purchase Jumpman baseball cleats on the Nike website.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Few, if any, MLB players in the 1990s were more popular than Ken Griffey Jr. The only thing smoother than his silky left-handed swing was his signature sneaker line with Nike.

Beginning in 1995, Nike released a litany of shoes in Griffey's name. Over the past 27 years, fans have gotten the Nike Air Diamond Fury Mid, Air Griffey Max 1, 2, 3, Total Air Griffey Max, Air Griffey Max GD II, Shox Griffey, and Air Griffey Max 360.

Derek Jeter

Before all the World Series wins, Derek Jeter started his career with FILA. However, Jeter was selected as one of the initial 'Jordan Brand' athletes back in 1997. It's no surprise that 'The Captain' received the royal treatment.

Jeter received his first signature sneaker, the Jordan Jeter DJ, in 2001. By our count, 13 different Jordan Brand sneakers were released in Jeter's name. While his footwear has become hard to find, fans can purchase Jeter's merchandise on the Nike website.

Frank Thomas

Reebok was a major player in the sneaker world during the 1990s and early 2000s. That is why they enlisted the help of Frank Thomas. The Reebok Big Hurt dropped in 1996.

While most fans associate Thomas with Reebok and the White Sox, the slugger eventually changed teams and brands. In 2014, Thomas sued Reebok for releasing the shoes again without his approval, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Kenny Lofton

Besides Ricky Henderson, not many players burned up the basepaths like Kenny Lofton. The outfielder's speed was legendary, and adding a Swoosh logo onto his feet only made them appear to move faster.

Nike teamed up with Lofton on the Nike Air K-Low in 1996 and followed it up with Air Zoom Diamond in 1997. Lofton's shoes may be out of production, but his career will always be remembered.

Hideo Nomo

You were not a '90s kid if you did not imitate Hideo Nomo's iconic windup. The Japanese pitching sensation enjoyed global popularity, and teaming up with Nike only heightened his celebrity.

Nike released the Nike Air Nomo Max and Max 2 in 1996 and 1997 and re-released the sneakers over the years. Hopefully, another retro release is on the way so younger fans can learn about the "Tornado".

Sammy Sosa

FILA had plenty of credibility in the 1990s, thanks to Grant Hill, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa. No baseball fan over 30 years old can forget the legendary summer of 1998 when Sosa and Mark McGuire battled for the home run record.

After the wild home-run-filled summer, fans were able to purchase performance shoes from Sosa's signature line with FILA in 1999. Some of the vintage merchandise is still floating around on resale websites for die-hard Cubs fans.

Barry Bonds

Similar to Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds had a signature line with FILA. Bonds signed a four-year deal with FILA in 2003, and the Fila Bonds XT was released to the public later that year.

Unfortunately, the greatness of Bonds (and Sosa) are overshadowed by controversy. Regardless of what the record books do or do not say, Bonds was must-watch television throughout the early to mid-2000s.

Mike Trout

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has a strong case for the best active player in baseball. Trout signed with Nike in 2014 and has become the face of the brand's baseball division in recent years.

While there are no lifestyle models to come from Trout's signature line, there are plenty of performance options. Fans can browse Trout's collection on the Nike website.

Bryce Harper

Beginning in 2016, Under Armour went all in on Bryce Harper. Under Armour signed Harper to a ten-year contract extension which is believed to be the largest endorsement deal in history for a baseball player.

The Philadelphia Phillies slugger is still the face of the brand's baseball division and has enjoyed several releases from his signature line. Fans can browse Harper's collection on the Under Armour website, which currently includes footwear, apparel, and accessories.

Francisco Lindor

New Balance has made several savvy moves in recent years by investing big on exciting young players. Before New Balance signed Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani in 2022, the Boston-based brand signed New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor in 2017.

Fans can shop the Lindor Collection on the New Balance website. In addition to footwear, Lindor's signature line includes apparel and accessories. Let's hope New Balance continues to swing for the fences in the future.

The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

Recommended For You

Look: Aaron Judge takes batting practice in Luka Doncic's basketball shoes.

News: Ronald Acuña Jr. might be the next face of Nike baseball.

Interview: Derek Jeter's product is winning.

Published Apr 15, 2023

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.