The Story Behind Yankees Pitcher Nestor Cortes' Viral Super Mario Cleats

The Story Behind Nestor Cortes' Super Mario Cleats

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes has become known for his super fun and creative custom cleats that he wears during games. One of his most popular pairs features the video game character Super Mario.

Cortes' Journey to the Yankees

Cortes took an unconventional path to make it to the majors. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in 2013 but was later traded. After stints with three other organizations, Cortes re-signed with the Yankees in 2019.

He finally broke through in 2021, posting a 2.90 ERA over 93 innings. With his nasty cutter and array of arm angles, Cortes proved he belonged in the Yankees rotation.

The Super Mario Cleats

During Cortes' breakout 2021 season, he began wearing uniquely decorated cleats for each start. The Super Mario pair was especially memorable.

The cleats featured a bright red base, just like Mario's hat and overalls. Iconic characters like stars and question blocks covered the sides. The back said "Game On" with a Super Mario font.

Cortes explained the story behind the viral cleats in an interview. He said the idea came from his interest in video games and Nintendo as a kid. After brainstorming with his cleat artist, the Super Mario concept was brought to life.

A Fan Favorite is Born

Yankees fans immediately fell in love with Cortes' quirky persona and custom cleats. The Super Mario pair was a huge hit across social media.

Clips of Cortes pitching in his bright red cleats were viewed millions of times. Fans begged for a chance to buy their own pair. The shoes were the perfect encapsulation of Cortes himself - fun, creative, and unconventional.

Cortes' Breakout 2022 Season

After his strong 2021 performance, Cortes entered 2022 with high expectations. He has delivered in a major way, establishing himself as one of the best starters in baseball.

A First Time All-Star

In the first half of 2022, Cortes posted a 7-3 record with a 2.44 ERA. He held opponents to a tiny .190 batting average and racked up over 100 strikeouts.

Cortes' success earned him his first career All-Star selection. He was chosen to represent the Yankees on the American League squad, a huge honor for the young lefty.

The Mustache Rides On

Along with his All-Star performance, Cortes also became known for his unusual mustache styles paired with his fiery pitching.

He twirled his thin mustache into crazy curls, spikes, and loops - each more outrageous than the last. It became a signature look for the fan favorite.

As Cortes took the mound with new mustache styles and his colorful custom cleats, his legend only grew. With every viral clip and dominant start, Cortes etched himself into Yankees lore.

The Cortes Collection: Yankees Merchandise

It didn't take long for Nestor Cortes jerseys and apparel to appear online and in Yankees team stores. Fans couldn't get enough of the mustachioed sensation.

Cortes Jersey Sales Soar

By mid-2022, Cortes jersey sales ranked among the Yankees top sellers. His #65 jersey became a staple at Yankee Stadium on game days.

Many buyers chose to customize the back with Cortes' well-known nickname "Nasty Nestor." Others preferred to keep his surname only across the shoulders.

Hats, Shirts, and Bobbleheads

Along with replica jerseys, Yankees merchandisers released all kinds of creative Cortes apparel. From T-shirts to hats to socks, his iconic mustache design appeared everywhere.

One of the most unique items was a Nestor Cortes bobblehead Giveaway. Only available to fans attending a selected game, the figure immortalized Cortes' signature mustache and stirrup socks in plastic form.

FAQs

When did Cortes first wear the Super Mario cleats?

Cortes debuted the instantly iconic Super Mario cleats in the 2021 MLB season while pitching for the New York Yankees.

What was the inspiration behind the cleats?

Cortes said he chose the Super Mario design because of his love for Nintendo video games and Super Mario as a kid.

Where can I buy my own pair of Cortes' cleats?

Unfortunately, Cortes' game-worn cleats are not available for purchase as they are fully customized one-of-a-kind pieces.

Does Cortes wear new cleats every game?

Yes! Cortes has a new crazy custom cleat design made special for each start, which has become part of his signature style.

Did the cleats contribute to Cortes making the 2022 All-Star team?

While his performance was the main reason, the attention and fan support gained from his viral cleats over social media certainly boosted his popularity.