Sports-loving theatre fans, we finally have some content for you! Damn Yankees outfielder Juan Soto gives Playbill some love in his new custom pair of cleats, designed by Stadium Custom Kicks as a tribute to New York City. Playbill readers may not be widely known for their love of sports, but our community certainly can share an appreciation for bespoke footwear! Get a look at the couture cleats in the gallery below.
Soto, born in the Dominican Republic, started his Major League Baseball career as a Washington National but was traded to the New York Yankees last year and made his debut with Broadway's home team in March. And by the way, that means Soto's professional trajectory took him from Washington, D.C.'s baseball team to NYC's, strengthening the connection to the teams depicted in Broadway's Damn Yankees—we swear!
Yankee outfielder Juan Soto’s custom cleats
Yankee outfielder Juan Soto’s custom cleats
Yankee outfielder Juan Soto’s custom cleats
Yankee outfielder Juan Soto’s custom cleats
Yankee outfielder Juan Soto’s custom cleats
Yankee outfielder Juan Soto’s custom cleats
Soto's Yankees debut was accompanied by these fresh new kicks, which along with the Playbill shout-out include portraits of Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Yankee Stadium subway stop, taxis, and, to honor the bright lights of New York, light-up LED laces. Stadium Custom Kicks says the shoes are completely hand painted and took about 25 hours from start to finish. Ari Solomon and Alex Katz collaborated on the concept, with Daniel Pizzarelli handling the design.
Welcome to New York, Soto. Playbill loves you back!
