Players react to wearing own team jerseys at All-Star Game

ATLANTA — Players often say they take pride in the name on the back of their jersey. At the 2025 All-Star Game on Tuesday, they will proudly represent the name on the front, too.

MLB.com on Monday spoke with All-Stars, who shared their thoughts on sporting their team names on the global stage.

Will Smith, Dodgers: “It’s special. The Dodgers drafted me. I’ve only known the Dodgers. The history of the organization, all the great players that have worn this jersey and then what the Dodgers jersey means to the L.A. community, it’s special. I don’t take it for granted. I enjoy putting this jersey on every single day.”

James Wood, Nationals: “I’m glad they brought it back. It’s cool to represent the team and the city. I like it. I think it’s a good change.”

Casey Mize, Tigers: “Growing up, I saw players wear their own jerseys, which I thought was amazing, and I’m glad to see us going back to that. It’s pretty special. I care about Detroit, I care about the organization, our fans, and I’m happy to be able to hopefully make us proud on a national scale.”

Brendan Donovan, Cardinals: “I think the birds on the bat is one of the most iconic logos out there. I’m excited to wear this uniform and represent them in an All-Star Game.”

Max Fried, Yankees: “I think it’s cool. Growing up, that was kind of the way it was — so you see, it’s very similar. You’re representing your team and the city, so to be able to do that, I think it’s really cool.”

Kyle Stowers, Marlins: “I think it’s really cool. I’m just really proud of what we’re doing so far this year, especially the last month-and-a-half. We’ve been playing really good baseball. I think we have more in the tank, too. But I think we’re in a position far better than people anticipated us to be. So to be able to come in, wear the Miami Marlins jersey and have people go, ‘You guys are playing great baseball right now, it’s been fun to watch,’ I’m just proud of that — proud of the team that we have and what we’ve been able to put together.”

Brandon Lowe, Rays: “To wear a Rays jersey to represent, personally, the organization that took a risk on me — they drafted me, they signed me to an extension — to be able to kind of pay it forward, almost like, ‘You guys invested this in me, and now I get to repay you with playing well and show you that it was a good idea,’ it means the world.”

Kris Bubic, Royals: “I think it’s really special. It’s a lot easier to identify guys, first and foremost. But I think any time you can wear the city you play for across your chest, it makes you think of people you’re representing back in the city, in the organization, all your teammates. And you think about the journey here, because the organization and teammates and city, and its fans, they’re all a big part of us being here. It’s special to wear it across your chest.”

Steven Kwan, Guardians: “I never even thought about that, I guess. But yeah, it is a really cool thing. I mean, Cleveland loves their baseball, and they love their Guards. I mean, to be able to represent them on any kind of level, it’s really special. That’s a cool question.”

Byron Buxton, Twins: “It means a lot. To be able to put on this jersey and have an event like this, it’s special, especially being at home [in Atlanta]. I know that Twins territory is always behind me. It’s just special. It’s a lot of words that really can’t be described.”

Carlos Estévez, Royals: “It’s a privilege. Coming here on a free-agent deal [this past offseason], they’re giving me an opportunity to do what I’m doing. And I’m just grateful. I’m going to wear it proudly. I love the opportunity to wear it. “I think it represents what team you’re playing for, and that’s the team that’s given you the opportunity to perform in the big leagues. I’m always going to be grateful for the opportunity.”

Riley Greene, Tigers: “I feel like that city is always supporting us through the ups and the downs. Being able to represent the organization and the city, it means the world to me.”

Andrew Abbott, Reds: “It feels great. I’m here for those guys, I’m playing for them right now. It’s just as much their award as it is mine. So it feels fantastic to be here and represent Cincinnati.”

Hunter Goodman, Rockies: “I think it’s cool. I think some of the jerseys that they’d done in the last few years — the NL and AL — were cool. But I think it’s cool to wear your own team’s jersey and represent them while you’re on the field.”