Kevin McGonigle's custom cleats are all Detroit ... and they're sweet

Kevin McGonigle hasn't been in Detroit long.

But it's clearly his city now, and the Tigers' rookie shortstop is paying homage to his city during Major League Baseball Players Weekend, starting with the game Friday, Aug. 21, at Kansas City. Before the series opener against the Royals, the Tigers shared images of McGonigle's custom cleats, which are Detroit, through and through.

The cleats feature several iconic Detroit landmarks, including the city skyline, 8 Mile road sign, Spirit of Detroit and Ambassador Bridge. The cleats even were designed by a Detroit artist, Juliana Rabban (justbyjuliana on Instagram).

Replying to an image shared by a Detroit News reporter on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of Friday's game, one reader suggested the Tigers might want to make the shoes available to the masses.

"A pair of these as sneakers would be fantastic," reader John Stanley wrote.

MLB Players Weekend is in its third year, as a way to allow players to add a little personal flavor to their uniforms, as Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee will do with custom bats that pay tribute to his alma maters. On one side of Marsee's Wilson bat will be a nod to Central Michigan, and on the other is a shoutout to Allen Park.

Jakob Marsee of the Miami Marlins will be representing CMU and Allen Park during MLB Players Weekend, starting tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/2tsbtk0YKL

Several others Tigers will wear custom cleats designed by Rabban, including Troy Melton, Friday's starter pitcher whose shoes feature a sunset in tribute to Orange County and California, his home, with the orange of the sky serving a dual purpose, being one of the Tigers colors. There also are references to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.

Second baseman Gleyber Torres' cleats, meanwhile, are raising awareness and thanking workers for the relief efforts following the earthquakes in Venezuela, his home country.

MLB Players Weekend runs through Sunday, Aug. 22.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Kevin McGonigle's custom cleats are all Detroit ... and they're sweet