Tigers' Clark gets real kicks out of his art
Max Clark considers himself an artistic person. The only problem -- he can't draw. Instead, MLB's No. 13 overall prospect expresses himself in other ways, such as through his shoes and tattoos. Clark is a massive sneakerhead, bringing about three dozen shoes, along with a growing collection of custom cleats,
Max Clark considers himself an artistic person. The only problem -- he can't draw.
Instead, MLB's No. 13 overall prospect expresses himself in other ways, such as through his shoes and tattoos. Clark is a massive sneakerhead, bringing about three dozen shoes, along with a growing collection of custom cleats, to Single-A Lakeland this season.
Clark's newest spikes are ones that even those who doubted him when Detroit drafted him third overall in 2023 just might have to appreciate.
In collaboration with Lucia Footwear, the 19-year-old designed two different shoes to wear on each foot. On his left, red cleats with real tweets talking about how he was the wrong pick and will be a bust. On the right, a blue shoe with words of praise and affirmation.
After going 0-for-11 to start the season and feeling uncomfortable at the plate, the Tigers' top prospect sat down with Lakeland manager Andrew Graham, and they talked about the mind-body connection and staying clear-headed and confident. Clark donned his new cleats to remind himself of that -- and the early results have been positive with six hits, four walks and two steals over the past six games.
"It's kind of like when you're looking at your shoulder when you're struggling, there's always that little devil on your shoulder telling you, 'You're not good enough, blah, blah, blah, you're not made for this, you don't belong here,' things like that," Clark said.
"Then on the flip side, there's the angel that's guiding you to grind and figure it out and giving you the confidence to know that you belong here. It's been something that I've been not only thinking about day-to-day but really preaching to myself, how much I do belong here. And that's obviously made a huge increase in my play over the last week."
Clark's collection began in high school when he collaborated on aqua and baby blue cleats to match Franklin Community (Ind.) High School colors, with lightning bolts and tridents for Greek gods Zeus and Poseidon. From there, he added neon pink and gold Louis Vuitton spikes.
His stockpile has increased markedly this year -- and only gotten more creative. There's an orange Louis Vuitton pair and ones inspired by his favorite anime show. He has custom Yeezys and an off-white and UNC blue pair of Jordans. Plus cleats with "Pain and Suffering" and "Strength and Guidance" on different shoes, a similar theme to the angel and demon cleats.
Clark has drawn inspiration from Major Leaguers -- he thinks Jazz Chisholm Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Javier Báez have the best cleats -- and likes to mix and match with Lakeland's various uniforms. Road grays and blues usually call for his orange spikes, while just about everything goes with home whites.
Ones that drew plenty of attention during Spring Training were Detroit-themed for the Tigers' Spring Breakout game and created in collaboration with Chandler Customs. He married iconography of Comerica Park, a Corvette and the Motor City skyline with a few allusions to his Indiana home.
“I wanted to mix in as much as I could between Detroit and my hometown.”
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 16, 2024
Check out Max Clark’s custom cleats for today’s #SpringBreakout game 🔥⤵️ pic.twitter.com/V66F8fIDqL
Of course, cleat care is crucial, especially with all the sliding and diving the speedy outfielder does. He makes sure to use a scrub brush between every game and takes care to avoid scrapes when taking them off. Earlier in the season, he used one spike to try to take off the other and accidentally dug into the foam soles. That's a mistake he'll only make once.
So what's next for his burgeoning collection?
"I kinda just like to go with the flow, depending on how certain things are affecting me or things that are important to me as I get older," Clark said. "I definitely want to have a (children's) shoe one day that my kids will design and kind of like draw up. That'll be cool. I think that's something that will always be important to me."
Ben Weinrib is a contributor for MiLB.com.
RubberDucks announce New Additions to the Extreme Foods in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) April 2, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the addition of three new items to the Extreme Food Menu for the 2025 season. The WONE Base on (Meat)Balls is hollowed out French Bread layered three times with spicy giardiniera marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and four meatballs topped with
RubberDucks announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
(AKRON, OHIO) February 12, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the 2025 promotional schedule presented by MCA of Akron/UA Local 219, which once again features a theme for all 69 regular season home games. The RubberDucks open the 2025 season at Canal Park on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:35 p.m.
May 30: Ducks survive Patriot rallies for 8-7 win
May 31, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (33-16) 8, Somerset Patriots (23-25) 7 WP: Davis Sharpe (3-3) LP: Mason Vinyard (1-2) Save: Magnus Ellerts (3) Summary RubberDucks designated hitter Kahlil Watson, shortstop Dayan Frías and left fielder Joe Lampe each had multi-hit games, while Akron scored
May 29: Patriots' four homers doom Ducks, 12-0
May 29, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Somerset Patriots (23-24) 12, Akron RubberDucks (32-16) 0 WP: Brendan Beck (4-1) LP: Carter Spivey (2-1) Save: none Summary University of Akron alumnus JT Brubaker held the RubberDucks to one hit in four innings of a major league rehab start, and
Rock Entertainment Sports Network to broadcast 15 Akron RubberDucks Games
(AKRON, OHIO) May 5, 2025 – The action of Akron RubberDucks baseball is coming to over-the-air and cable platforms this spring and summer, as Rock Entertainment Sports Network will broadcast 15 games featuring Cleveland Guardians prospects from Canal Park during the 2025 Eastern League season, beginning with Saturday, May 10,
RubberDucks games are live this season on iHeartMedia’s 640 WHLO
(AKRON, OHIO) April 3, 2025 – As the Akron RubberDucks open the 2025 Eastern League season in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, April 4, their games will return to their radio home, NewsRadio 640 WHLO, continuing a longstanding partnership with iHeartMedia Akron/Canton. RubberDucks games will also be available to stream online
RubberDucks 2025 Single Game tickets are on sale now
(AKRON, OHIO) December 16, 2024 – Single game tickets are now on sale for all 69 Akron RubberDucks regular season home games from April 8-Sept. 7, 2025 at Canal Park. Fans can purchase single game tickets at akronrubberducks.com/tickets or by calling 855-97-QUACK. Single game ticket prices start as low as
RubberDucks to honor Donna Kelce and Stacy Carroll with bobbleheads in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) March 27, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the mystery bobblehead giveaway presented by MCA of Akron/UA Local 219 on June 7 will be of Cleveland native Donna Kelce, and the mystery bobblehead giveaway presented by Distillata on Aug. 2 will be of actress Stacy Carroll. Kelce graduated
Habitat For Humanity 50/50 Raffle Winning Numbers
Past Winning Numbers for the Habitat For Humanity of Summit County Raffle at Canal Park: - May 25: A-6132973 - May 24: A-9479447 - May 23: A-5999917 - May 11: A-2228182 - May 10: A-6644256 - May 9: A-4811111 - May 8: A-1706999 - May 7: A-1396720 - May 6:
RubberDucks team up with Swensons Drive-In Restaurants to become the Akron Galley Boys for two games this season
(AKRON, OHIO) February 26, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Swensons Drive-In Restaurants announce a partnership for the Akron Galley Boys nights on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. “Much like two great middle infielders make an amazing double play tandem, we are excited to partner with Swensons for
RubberDucks and Luigi’s Restaurant to partner for Akron Cheese Salads night
(AKRON, OHIO) March 18, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Luigi’s Restaurant announce a partnership for the Akron Cheese Salads night on Friday, July 11. “We are thrilled to work together with Luigi’s to make our Akron Cheese Salads night even better,” RubberDucks President and General Manager Jim Pfander said.
Hit the ice with Matt Doherty at Canal Park August 9th for the Hum Goalie Goalie VIP Package
Purchase VIP Package (AKRON, OHIO) February 3, 2025 – Matt Doherty, the actor best known for his role of Lester Averman in The Mighty Ducks franchise, will be at Canal Park on Saturday, August 9. Tickets are available now for a special pregame VIP meet-and-greet with Doherty that includes a
Strike the Heisman pose with Troy Smith at Canal Park September 6th for the Scarlet & Gray VIP Package
PURCHASE VIP PACKAGE (AKRON, OHIO) March 3, 2025 – Ohio State legend and 2006 Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith will be at Canal Park Saturday, September 6. Tickets are available now for a special pregame VIP meet-and-greet with Smith that includes a picnic and guaranteed Troy Smith bobblehead presented by
RubberDucks announce multi-million dollar videoboard upgrade at Canal Park
(AKRON, OHIO) April 2, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the completion of a multi-million dollar videoboard upgrade to improve fan experience for the 2025 season. The Canal Park videoboard project was privately funded by Fast Forward Sports Group as part of the more than $14 million of private investments
May 28: RubberDucks fan 14 Patriots in 1-0 road win
May 28, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (32-15) 1, Somerset Patriots (22-24) 0 WP: Jake Miller (4-0) LP: Danny Watson (1-2) Save: Magnus Ellerts (2) Summary Five RubberDucks pitchers combined to strike out 14 Somerset Patriots batters in a five-hit shutout, while center fielder Jake Fox
May 27: Watson's 4-hit game paces Akron in 6-1 win at Somerset
May 27, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (31-15) 6, Somerset Patriots (22-23) 1 WP: Rodney Boone (3-1) LP: Cam Schlittler (3-5) Save: none Summary RubberDucks center fielder Kahlil Watson had four hits, two doubles and three RBIs, catcher Cooper Ingle had two hits and scored twice,
May 25: Ducks split Sunday twin bill with Curve
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Akron RubberDucks (30-15) 0/5, Altoona Curve (21-24) 1/4 WP: Emmanuel Chapman (4-1) LP: Shawn Rapp (0-3) Save: Wilkin Ramos (1) WP: Magnus Ellerts (2-0) LP: JC Flowers (0-1) Save: Zane Morehouse (5) Summary The Akron RubberDucks split the doubleheader
May 24: Two out offense and outstanding Peterson guide Akron to 10-0 win
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (29-14) 10, Altoona Curve (20-23) 0 WP: Austin Peterson (3-2) LP: Wilber Dotel (1-1) Save: Davis Sharpe (3) Summary Austin Peterson tossed seven shutout innings while the Akron offense exploded for seven in the eighth as the RubberDucks shut out the Altoona
Cleveland Guardians David Fry to rehab at Canal Park
(AKRON, OHIO) May 19, 2025 – Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry is scheduled to play in a rehab assignment with the Akron RubberDucks this week starting Tuesday, May 20 at 11:05 a.m. against the Altoona Curve at Canal Park. Fry is appearing in his fourth rehab game since being
May 23: Akron sweeps twin bill behind Lampe's five hit day
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Akron RubberDucks (28-14) 6/5, Altoona Curve (20-22) 3/0 WP: Jake Miller (3-0) LP: Alessandro Ercolani (1-3) Save: N/A WP: Carter Spivey (2-0) LP: Garrett McMillen (1-1) Save: Zach Jacobs (1) Summary Joe Lampe picked up five hits and scored
Thursday May 22 game between RubberDucks and Curve Postponed due to rain
(AKRON, OHIO) May 22, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Altoona Curve game on Thursday, May 22 has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, May 25. Game one will start at 4:05 p.m. The doubleheader on Sunday, May 25
Wednesday May 21 game between RubberDucks and Curve Postponed due to rain
(AKRON, OHIO) May 21, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Altoona Curve game on Wednesday, May 21 has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, May 23. Game one will start at 5:05 p.m. The doubleheader on Friday, May 23
May 20: Ducks school Curve 3-1 in Education Day win
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (26-14) 3, Altoona Curve (20-20) 1 WP: Rodney Boone (2-1) LP: Po-Yu Chen (0-4) Save: Zane Morehouse (4)