With the wildcard round in the books, it's now time to get into the thick of the Major League Baseball Playoffs. Tonight, four teams will begin the American League Division Series, kicking off about a month of intense postseason play.
Though it has its own footwear, America's Pastime has often influenced sneaker design in other fields. From straightforward nods to more interpretive detail, the game is well represented in a running and basketball-dominated market.
The countdown to the Fall Classic is on, so we've rounded up the 20 best baseball-inspired sneaker releases of all-time. Signature models made for signature baseball athletes were mostly left off to keep things interesting. Scroll through our picks below.
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With the wildcard round in the books, it's now time to get into the thick of the Major League Baseball Playoffs. Tonight, four teams will begin the American League Division Series, kicking off about a month of intense postseason play.
Though it has its own footwear, America's Pastime has often influenced sneaker design in other fields. From straightforward nods to more interpretive detail, the game is well represented in a running and basketball-dominated market.
The countdown to the Fall Classic is on, so we've rounded up the 20 best baseball-inspired sneaker releases of all-time. Signature models made for signature baseball athletes were mostly left off to keep things interesting. Scroll through our picks below.
20.MLB x Reebok Dual Running Pump "NYC Stadiums" Pack
Year: 2008
To celebrate New York City as the host city of the 2008 MLB All-Star Game, Reebok dropped a Dual Running Pump pack inspired by the city's famous ballparks—Yankees Stadium and the Mets' Shea Stadium. The limited edition pairs were only available at New York boutiques.
19.PF Flyers Center Hi "The Sandlot"
Year: 2013
For the 20th Anniversary of The Sandlot, PF Flyers reintroduced the all-black Center Hi worn by Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in the film. Not only will these shoes help you steal home, but you can also outrun a a gigantic English mastiff through the neighborhood.
18.Nike Air Diamond Turf "Atlanta Braves"
Year: 2013
While this list mostly excludes the signature sneakers of baseball players, this take on the Nike Air Diamond Turf makes the cut due to being the first ever direct salute to Deion Sanders' baseball career. Baseball-specific details tie the shoe to the Atlanta Braves, with whom Sanders played for from 1991-94.
17.Nike Trainer SC 2010 Premium "Baseball Glove"
Year: 2010
Known to flash a little leather in his day, Bo Jackson saw his quasi signature model treated to a baseball glove leather makeover in 2010. On top of the premium overhaul, the shoe featured Bo-specific details and custom insoles.
16.Under Armour Curry 2 Low "Bay Area" Pack
Year: 2016
Lost in the heavy ridicule of the "Chef" Under Armour Curry 2 Low is that the model actually isn't bad in other colorways. This two-shoe pack was a salute to the local ball teams in a red-hot sports region.
15.Playstation x Nike Zoom Huarache TR Low "Joe Mauer"
Year: 2011
When the category experienced a resurgence in the early 2010s, Nike Training teamed up with Playstation and former MVP Joe Mauer for a special release. The Zoom Huarache TR Low was a celebration of Mauer as the cover athlete for MLB: The Show '11.
14.CNCPTS x New Balance "City Rivalry" Pack
Year: 2016
With flagships set up in both Boston and New York, CNCPTS used the storied rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees as inspiration for its "City Rivalry" Pack earlier this year. Taking an unexpected approach to the colorways, CNCPTS used teal for New York's pair as a nod to the NY Police Medal of Valor, while Boston's pair was partially styled in rust red to mimic the dirt on a baseball diamond.
13.Vans Vault MLB "Opening Day" Collection
Year: 2010
To usher in Opening Day 2010, Vans teamed up with MLB for a collection of footwear sold exclusively at Vans Vault accounts across the country. A wide range of teams were represented on silhouettes like the Era, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi and Chukka.
12.Air Jordan Retro "Barons" Pack
Year: 2014
Michael Jordan's brief and somewhat underappreciated baseball career was celebrated with two retros dressed in Birmingham Barons colors. In addition to the baseball-inspired pinstripe detailing and "45" embroidery on the heel, what made this release special was the fact that Jordan wore a cleated Air Jordan 9 on the diamond.
11.Anonymous x UNheardof x Nike SB Dunk Collection
Year: 2015 (Canceled)
Recalling better times in the Queen City, Cincinnati-based skate shops Anonymous and Unheardof came together to pay homage to the Reds' 1990 World Series victory over the Oakland As with a two-pack of Nike Dunks. Unfortunately, MLB intervened with a cease and desist before the shoes were released, despite mostly indirect references to both teams.
10.Air Jordan 1 Retro "Opening Day" Pack
Year: 2008
With Michael Jordan's passion for the game of baseball in mind, Jordan Brand released a White Sox-inspired Air Jordan 1 pack for Opening Day in 2008. The shoes were part of a collection that also included matching apparel.
9.Nike LeBron 7 "Yankees"
Year: 2009
Though LeBron James is an Ohioan at heart, he's one of those annoying sports fans who just so happens to like the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. On the bright side, his support of the Yankees has led to some great Nike LeBron sneaker releases, such as the LeBron 7.
8.Nike LeBron 9 "Swingman"
Year: 2012
Absent from the original "Heroes" Pack, LeBron James' tribute to Ken GriffeyJr. came two models later on the Nike LeBron 9. The amplified Mariners colorway was complemented by a remixed Swingman version of James' Dunkman logo.
7.Nike Air Force 1 Low "Houston Astros"
Year: 2006
When the NBA All-Star Game invaded Houston back in 2006, Nike paid its respects to H-Town with a collection of sneakers inspired by the local sports teams. Unfortunately, these were only given to VIPs at the event, making them one of the rarest and most sought-after Air Force 1s in existence.
6.Nike "Untold Truth" Collection
Year: 2006
The story of baseball cannot be told without an extended chapter on the contributions from the Negro League. As part of Black History Month in 2006, Nike partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to release a collection of sneakers inspired by the Chicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, New York Cubans, Homestead Grays, Memphis Red Sox, and Philadelphia Stars. Proceeds from sales went to the NLBM.
5.SoleFly x Air Jordan 23 "Florida Marlins"
Year: 2016
Though not yet released, SoleFly's Marlins-inspired Air Jordan 23 collaboration already has the sneaker community buzzing. Speaking to the heritage of the team, the teal colorway is a throwback to the Marlins' original base color. A limited amount of pairs will be available later this month.
4.Nike Air Trainer 1.2 Mid "Ken Griffey Jr."
Year: 2010
Part of a "Legends" Pack paying homage to a group of baseball icons, Nike Training dropped this Mariners-flavored Trainer 1.2 Mid for Ken Griffey Jr. The shoe doubled as a congratulations to the Kid for joining the 600 home run club.
3.Nike Zoom LeBron 5 "Yankees"
Year: 2008
Back when House of Hoops exclusives were a thing, the pinstripe-laden "Yankees" Nike LeBron 5 dropped as the Bronx Bombers began a new season. One of the most limited LeBron releases to date, only 86 pairs were made available to the public.
2.HUF x Nike SB Dunk High
Year: 2004
At the height of Nike Skateboarding, San Francisco-based skate and streetwear shop HUF rolled out an SB High inspired by the city's hippie culture and beloved Giants baseball team. Though the SB collecting hobby has come and gone, these classics still fetch a pretty penny on the secondary market.
1.Air Jordan 1 Retro "Derek Jeter"
Year: 2014
As Derek Jeter was winding down his legendary playing career, Jordan Brand saluted the Captain with a buzz-generating RE2PECT campaign and a Yankees-themed Air Jordan 1 Retro. A timeless shoe for a timeless athlete, the "Jeter" 1 wore the same pinstripes he donned for 20 years.