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When first baseman Triston Casas arrived at the Boston Red Sox’s spring training, he had a unique look.
Unlike his other teammates, the 23-year-old wore red fingernail polish and white toenail polish. And he isn’t just wearing it during training. He said he plans on wearing the team’s colors on his fingers and toes for the entire season, Boston Globe sports reporter Julian McWilliams reported in a tweet.
Triston Casas is seen here wearing red fingernail/white toenail polish. Said he will likely rock this look during the season. That’s my content for the day. pic.twitter.com/a0y06IZGle
— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) February 17, 2023
You could call Casas’ polish a bit of personal flair or maybe even a superstitious good luck charm. But either way, he’s challenging the traditionally “macho” public face of pro sports by wearing cosmetics that have long been marketed exclusively to women. And numerous Twitter commenters have taken notice.
Some responded to McWilliams’ picture of Casas’ nails by writing “Slay!”, “That’s my first baseman!”, or commenting on how his nails looked better than their own. Others said they didn’t care what color his nails were, just so long as he plays the game well.
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While others made predictable homophobic jabs or quips about Casas being a “catcher” (hardy har, so original!), others made more humorous or supportive comments.
I just hope he goes to better nail people the rest of the season….he can do so much more than just basic red
— Randy (@RandyB066) February 20, 2023
Good for him, nice when athletes aren't afraid to be themselves
— MMM (@MMM93214) February 17, 2023
Any comment on why the pinky isn’t painted?
— Flow Montana (@_IamtheManager) February 18, 2023
— Tim (@timcarmody1) February 17, 2023
And sorry @kavithadavidson for taking your tweet, but can he find somebody who can do nails like this?
These look amazing.https://t.co/PfwrJeg5B2
— Randy (@RandyB066) February 20, 2023
— Jared C (@jared_cas) February 17, 2023
The fact people are getting bent out of shape about this are pathetic. This shit looks sick. He’s his own person and out to please nobody. Respect
— GMagz (@b0nerjams03) February 17, 2023
Here come all the homophobes pic.twitter.com/WeAGMIzO80
— Craig (@craigare) February 17, 2023
The amount of salt in these comments is like the dead sea…
— TheWilder (@WilderHarding1) February 18, 2023
It may not seem like such a big deal for Casas to wear nail polish. After all, lots of men — queer, drag queens, and otherwise — have been wearing nail polish for decades.
But in the machismo world of sports, where most of the viewers are likely straight- and cis-identified, the small act has an outsized effect of showing that male athletes can be stylish without fear of being seen as gay. (BTW Casas is married to a woman.)
And he isn’t alone in helping shift baseball to a more welcoming field.
This past weekend, White Sox minor league player Anderson Comas came out in an Instagram post, declaring, “I’m gay and I’m a professional athlete.”
“I’m doing this cause I wanna be an inspiration for those like me out there fitting for their dreams,” he wrote. “Please don’t listen to those stupid things that people say about us, fight for your dreams, believe in yourself and go for it.”
Related: 10 pro baseball players who came out and set the stage for a future gay World Series champ
Outsports noted that Casas isn’t the first pro baseball player to challenge macho stereotypes with fashion. Atlanta Braves player Joc Pederson wore a pearl necklace during the 2021 World Series, and St. Louis Cardinals coach Turner Ward kissed outfielder Lars Nootbar’s cheek to celebrate Nootbar’s 2022 birthday.
It’s also worth noting that the Red Sox also recently made their team more welcoming when, in March 2022, it released minor league prospect Brett Netzer. Nezter was released after the 25-year-old tweeted a series of homophobic, transphobic, racist, and anti-Semitic statements.
By welcoming players like Casas and booting players like Netzer, the Red Sox are showing just two ways that teams can create a level-playing field for all athletes, regardless of their identity or self-presentation.
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CatholicXXX
Good for him but I prefer my men masc without nail polish.
Jim
And the relationship between masculinity and nail polish is. . . . . . .
FreddieW
@Jim — That it’s a cosmetic product manufactured for and marketed to women? Like mascara and eye shadow. I mean, the answer to your question is obvious, unless one is concerned about political correctness.
DarkZephyr
@CatholicXXX
Was he hitting your DMs or something? Because unless he has shown personal interest in you, I doubt he cares how you prefer *your* men.
@FreddieW
Who cares who it started out as being marketed to? Times are changing.
FreddieW
Sounds like one of those hip fashion things young guys do to make themselves less attractive, like tattoos. Yes, I know I sound 100 years old, but I’m over halfway there.
DarkZephyr
So you’re set in your ways, you’re saying?
Kangol2
You do sound ancient and men were wearing lipstick and nail polish in the 60s and 70s–very straight men too, as well as bisexual and gay men–so this isn’t a new thing. In fact, it was happening when you were very young thing! Figure that!
FreddieW
@Kangol2
Don’t know where those men lived in the 60’s and 70’s. Not in middle America, I’m sure.
abfab
Yes they did, Kangol, and they wore it well. These photos are examples of NOT wearing it well. If they’re going to feed us a steady diet of people who just shlock on the make up and take photos of skanky nail jobs, we get to comment on how shitty it looks.
It’s better we get to vent here than on the streets where one could get seriously hurt, no?
Cato
As an old fart with an AARP card, I think this is delightful. Seeing people be themselves and finding support when they break expectations and “norms”, lifts my heart.
As for makeup and certain clothing being “masculine” or “feminine” – over the thousands of years humans have been attempting to make themselves attractive, cosmetics have been used by all types at different times. In ancient Egypt wealthy people wore wigs and used cosmetics. It wasn’t a gender thing, it was a wealth and power indicator. Similarly, high heels first came into wide use in the France when the king and male courtiers wanted to appear taller.
Find joy in other people being happy and free.
abfab
Please find a better nail salon. More white trash we don’t need.
Ronrico
Yet here you are.
bachy
I admire men who integrate traditional feminine qualities into their personalities.
Qualities like nurturance, sensitivity, supportiveness, gentleness, warmth, cooperativeness, expressiveness, humility, empathy, affection and tenderness. Qualities like freely exhibiting emotions, kindness, helpfulness, devotion, and understanding.
I’m not quite as impressed when femininity is expressed via showy cosmetic affectations like nail polish, lipstick and eye shadow, which I feel exhibits a more superficial/campy understanding of the feminine. But you do you!
abfab
It’s toxic, filled with chemical dyes and tacky…literally!
Kangol2
Given that a range of men of varying sexualities were wearing colored nail polish, lipstick, blush, etc. back in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s ,etc. (uh, glam rock, heavy metal, the Artist formerly known as Prince, etc.), this is hardly new or news, though it seems to be surging a bit more in recent years. These guys are harming no one, they should adorn themselves as they see fit, and some people will like and some won’t. If you don’t, just go on about your business and live your life while they live theirs.