Many fashion trends have shown up within the game over the years. From players wearing high socks to baggy baseball pants to crazy eye black designs. With more players making fashion statements with chains, one question that often comes up is why baseball players wear chains.
Let’s find out.
Why Do Baseball Players Wear Chains?
When it comes to why baseball players wear baseball chains, there are a variety of reasons why.
One main reason is that the player is religious. Such players often wear a chain with a cross on it. These chain crosses will vary in size and style, with many styles available, including designs using baseball bats to create the cross.
Some players elect to wear chains for superstitious reasons. For example, they likely believe the chain carries some good fortune and helps improve their field performance. These chains may be treasured gifts or hold memories of loved ones, present or past.
The final reason why baseball players wear baseball chains is fashion. These chains (often gold or diamond) are the perfect way to make a statement.
Are Baseball Chains Allowed in Major League Baseball?
When it comes to the MLB rule book, chains and other jewelry are allowed under the official rules set forth by the league.
However, jewelry, including baseball chains, cannot be worn if it distracts the pitcher or batter or if the piece of jewelry emits any style of light or reflection from the sun or stadium lights.
Best Baseball Player Chains
15. Josh Bell – San Diego Padres
His career has seen him bounce around from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Washington Nationals and now to the San Diego Padres.
However, Josh Bell continues to put together solid numbers at the plate. The Padres first baseman has made one NL All-Star team, driven in at least 116 runs, and has at least 20 home runs in three of his first seven MLB seasons.
In addition to his stellar performances, Bell frequently rocks a chain during MLB games.
14. Bryce Harper – Philadelphia Phillies
All eyes are typically on the eye black that Bryce Harper occasionally wears. However, the reigning NL MVP and Philadelphia Phillies All-Star has also shown off some bling by wearing a chain around his neck.
Harper, still just 29 years old, has 282 career home runs to go along with the NL Rookie of the Year award, two Silver Slugger awards, and the NL home run champ in 2015.
13. Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs
The current Chicago Cubs starter has had no fear of showing off a part of his jewelry collection around his neck over his career.
Stroman is in his eighth MLB season and is pitching for his third team after spending his first five-plus seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Cub’s starter has racked up 64 wins over 192 career starts.
12. Edwin Diaz – New York Mets
One of the most popular baseball players in New York right now is the New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
Diaz, who made a recent appearance to close a game with an on-field trumpet entrance, has worn various chains around his neck.
Diaz has been with the Mets since the start of the 2019 MLB season and has led the league in saves while posting at least 32 saves in three of his 7 MLB seasons.
11. Jose Ramirez – Cleveland Guardians
The long-time Cleveland Guardians third baseman continues to be the face of the organization while being loved by Guardians fans.
Jose Ramirez, who has had the opportunity to move on to a contending team over the past few years, wants to finish his career in Cleveland.
In addition to putting together All-Star caliber numbers, Ramirez has showcased one of the most interesting MLB player chains featuring a picture of himself in the center of the diamond-studded necklace.
10. Juan Soto – San Diego Padres
The potential new face of the San Diego Padres, Juan Soto, made national headlines as the largest MLB trade in baseball history.
Over his young career, Soto has been seen wearing his famous Soto Shuffle diamond necklace and a cross featuring multiple baseball bats.
Soto, who is just 23 years old, has 122 career home runs to go along with a career .290 batting average in just five MLB seasons.
9. Javier Baez – Detroit Tigers
Over his career, Javier Baez has been known to flash some fancy jewelry on and off the field. However, Baez’s performances are as good as his bling.
The former Chicago Cubs and current Detroit Tigers infielder has put together a solid MLB career featuring two trips to the MLB All-Star game and led MLB with 111 runs batted in during 2018.
8. Francisco Lindor – New York Mets
Francisco Lindor has been known to be a flashy shortstop since arriving in Cleveland as a 21-year-old shortstop in 2015.
While his glove has been flashy, and his power at the plate has ranked near the top among all shortstops, Lindor has also showcased a stylish gold braided style necklace over his MLB career.
In addition, Lindor has also worn a black beaded style necklace with a solid silver cross.
7. Yoenis Cespedes – Retired, Oakland A’s,
One of the most controversial issues ever to take place on the baseball diamond with a baseball player’s chain involves the former MLB All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Cespedes, who broke his necklace on a slide, saw his diamonds fly across the dirt near second base.
However, despite the incident, Cespedes still managed to put together a strong MLB career hitting 155 career home runs over just 834 career MLB games.
6. Mookie Betts – Los Angeles Dodgers
Joining Bryce Harper on this list as another MLB MVP who has worn a chain during his career is the current Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts.
Betts, who has put together a strong career all before turning 30, has won the AL MVP award, won two World Series Championships, won five Gold Glove awards and has hit for the cycle.
5. Julio Rodriguez – Seattle Mariners
Julio Rodriguez is one of the young new faces of Major League Baseball and the Seattle Mariners franchise.
Rodriguez, who has taken the game by storm as a rookie and nearly won the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby, made the AL All-Star team, and is in line to take home the AL Rookie of the Year Award, has also showcased a stylish gold braided chain to start his young MLB career.
Add in a potential $470 million dollar contract, and Rodriguez can now afford any style chain moving forward.
4. Manny Machado – San Diego Padres
The former 2010 MLB Draft third overall pick continues to build on a strong career stat line all by the age of 30.
Machado, who started his career with the Baltimore Orioles, has 267 career home runs to go along with 805 runs batted in and 1,524 career hits.
3. Aaron Judge – New York Yankees
While flashy is not his style, the New York Yankees AL MVP candidate has been known to rock a gold chain at points over his MLB career.
As for this year, no MLB player in baseball has put together the numbers he has as he chases 60 home runs as the 2022 MLB schedule rolls into September.
2. Ronald Acuna Jr – Atlanta Braves
If you want baseball player chains, you don’t need to look much farther, as the Atlanta Braves All-Star outfielder is the king of flash. Including rocking a $140k ‘La Bestia’ gorilla chain during the 2022 MLB All-Star game.
Acuna, just 24 years old, has racked up 116 home runs in five MLB seasons despite missing time with a knee injury and a shortened 2020 MLB season due to Covid-19.
1. Derek Jeter – New York Yankees
One of the most famous baseball players over the past 30 years donned a chain throughout his career.
Derek Jeter, one of the faces of the New York Yankees’ success in the 1990s, put together a storied career. Over 11,195 career at-bats, Jeter posted a career .310 batting average to go along with 260 home runs and 1,311 runs batted in.
Famous Chain Incidents
From time to time, there have been a few famous chain incidents within the game of baseball.
While it is rare to see any issues with the MLB player chains, here are a few incidents that have occurred during MLB games.
These incidents include a broken necklace leading to diamonds on the infield dirt, a player’s jewelry hitting him in the face, and one MLB player stirring up the fans by wearing an odd chain necklace.
Here are a few of the famous chain incidents in Major League Baseball history:
I never realize that so many baseball players wear necklaces while playing, it probably is more of a superstition and habit for them. I will definitely pay attention to the next game I watch, and check out if a lot of them are really wearing chains.