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San Diego Padres slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. has a deal in place with The Shoe Surgeon and Xample to wear 50 custom cleats throughout the 2024 season. The most interesting thing is that each custom cleat comes with a special purpose, making the cleats all the more meaningful.
Tatis has worn 11 custom cleats and wore the 12th on the season in the second game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Padres at Petco Park.
These cleats are titled "Stairs to Success" and are inspired from the 1976 classic sports film character 'Rocky.' The character of 'Rocky' is played by Sylvester Stallone, who has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award.
In the movie, Rocky is seen as a small-town boxer who gets his title shot against champion Apollo Creed. Tatis Jr., through his custom Air Jordan 1 cleats, pays homage to Rocky's unwavering confidence.
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Key details of Fernando Tatis Jr.'s "Stairs to Success" cleats
The following inspiring quotes from Rocky in the movie made their way onto the cleats:
"Nobody owes nobody nothin’ you owe yourself."
"I stopped thinking the way other people think a long time ago."
'Tatis Jr.' is inscribed on top of the cleat. Moreover, glossy gold belt tassels hang from the tops.
Tatis' number 23 in Roman numerals is mentioned on the left cleat, while the 'FTJ' logo is on the right. The left cleat tongue features a Rocky silhouette, while the right cleat features the XAMPLE logo.
The cleats are yellow gold, which represents Rocky's shining gold training shorts. The "Stair to Success" cleats feature red and yellow Nike Swooshes on either side that transform into a staircase, similar to the one Rocky raced up during the iconic training scene in the film.
As far as the game is concerned, the Padres dropped the second game as well. They lost 5-1 to the Phillies, who improved to 18-10, while the home team dropped to 14-16. The third and last game of the series takes place on Sunday.
