MLB ace picks players' best World Series outfits

HOUSTON -- As the social media correspondent at Games 2 and 3 of the 2022 World Series, Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie has important responsibilities. He’s taken over the MLB social media accounts, interviewed fellow players, rubbed elbows with celebs, made MLB Network appearances and, overall, shared his own unique perspective as one of the bright young stars of the sport.

But in the interest of truly maximizing McKenzie’s contribution to this Fall Classic, we tasked him with his most important assignment yet.

Fashion reviews.

Player arrivals to the ballpark have become a source of entertainment and interest all their own. And as players have embraced the “look good, play good” mentality more and more over the years, we’ve seen some fabulous -- and some daring -- fits on the way to the field.

Especially in the World Series.

“I think when you come to situations like this, almost everything matters,” says McKenzie, a 25-year-old right-hander who broke out in a big way with a 2.96 ERA and 190 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings for the AL Central champions. “[It’s] your attitude coming to the field, your attitude once you get into the clubhouse, and you kind of have to carry that onto the field with you. So I think a lot of guys that are coming well-dressed and mentally ready are just gonna be ready once the game starts.”

With that in mind, let’s get into the mind of McKenzie (who can be found @T_eazy24 on Twitter and @triston.mckenzie on Instagram) on nine of his favorite fits from the Series so far.

1. Bryce Harper (Game 1)

McKenzie’s take: I love, love, love the [Mike] Schmidt jersey out of him. I think he's channeling some Philly energy right there. And I love that out of him. And he's got the little style to go with it. He's got the Dior shoes on with the Louis Vuitton bag. He's got the watch. I mean, I think he came ready. And I think the wired headphones are a big, big flex. Everybody's got AirPods or Beats, but he went classic there from top to bottom, and I love it.

2. Framber Valdez

McKenzie’s take: So I see Framber’s got on the Cuban link [chain] right there, step one. That’s probably everyday wear for him. And then he’s got the cargo jeans with a nice sweater. But he’s got the shoes to match the sweater. So I’m liking where his head’s at.

3. Rhys Hoskins

McKenzie’s take: I'm not gonna lie. He looks business ready. I think if I had to, I would put it like that: He came to work, for business.

4. Christian Vázquez

McKenzie’s take: Oooh, Vazzy is super drippy. Super drippy. He's got … I don't even know what kind of shirt that is, but it's got some black pinstripes on it to go with the [Nike] Dunks. He's got some some plain black jeans, and he's got a fresh cut too. Maybe, with the pinstripes, he’s doing it to channel his inner, “I hate the Yankees.”

5. Nick Castellanos

McKenzie’s take: Casty’s clean. I like the hat. Nobody else wore a hat. I mean, he's got the watch, he's got the cuffed sleeves. I think it matches his look. He's got an extra button open there. That’s a good look. I like it.

6. Alex Bregman

McKenzie’s take: With the Albuquerque jersey [from Bregman’s hometown], he stayed true to his roots. He went to his _roots_, roots. I think he’s one that very much does that. He woke up ready, knowing what he wanted to do.

7. Garrett Stubbs

McKenzie’s take: No words. That is … actually, I have one word: Glorious. The hair, the glasses, the button-up, the jacket. Oh my. Glorious.

8. Dusty Baker

McKenzie’s take: I don't know what he’s got in his hands there. But he's got the Air Forces on, he's got some clean gray jeans. I don't know if he put a ton of thought into it. But the hat definitely matches the jacket. I mean, if I had to grade it out of 10, I’m giving Dusty maybe a seven there, maybe 7 1/2. But see, he looks mentally ready there. If Dusty looks happy, that’s all that matters.

9. Bryce Harper (Game 2)

McKenzie’s take: Bryce, what do we got here? He walked in with a duffel, and he kept the earphones, so he kept the same energy from [Game 1], which I like. I like the consistency. And he’s got some Kith underneath. He’s got the Kith sweater underneath a jacket, with a hat to match. So I’m rating this a 10 out of 10.