BRISTOL, TN — Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson stole the spotlight at the MLB Speedway Classic with a show-stopping tribute to Talladega Nights, donning custom catcher’s gear inspired by Will Ferrell’s iconic character, Ricky Bobby.
With over 85,000 fans packed into Bristol Motor Speedway for the historic baseball-meets-NASCAR event, Stephenson’s bold look drew immediate attention. Known for his quirky sense of humor—his walk-up song is “Afternoon Delight” from Anchorman—Stephenson saw the Speedway Classic as the perfect opportunity to channel his inner Ricky Bobby.
“That movie’s a classic, and I thought it was the perfect fit,” he said before the game, grinning.
Designed by Evoshield, the custom gear paid homage to Ricky Bobby’s famous Wonder Bread car. The chest protector featured a revamped “Cincinnati” version of the Wonder Bread logo, bright flame graphics in red and yellow, racing-style number 37, checkered flags, and the nickname “Tyler Robby” stitched at the bottom. His catcher’s mask completed the theme with intricate racing artwork to match.
Although Stephenson hails from Georgia and admits he didn’t grow up a hardcore NASCAR fan, he was awestruck by the scale and energy of the venue. “It feels like playing in front of a football crowd,” he said, comparing the electric atmosphere to an NFL stadium.
The moment was especially meaningful for Stephenson, who missed the Reds’ 2022 Field of Dreams game due to injury, though he traveled with the team. Now fully healthy, he seized his moment on the national stage with both performance and personality.
He wasn’t the only one getting creative—Yankees catcher José Trevino showed off Cars-themed cleats styled after Lightning McQueen, complete with autographs from Tim McGraw and Pitbull, who performed during pregame festivities.
Stephenson’s gear continues MLB’s growing embrace of player individuality and flair, and he even hinted at wanting Will Ferrell to make another Reds appearance—referencing Ferrell’s surprise 2015 spring training cameo.
If Ricky Bobby taught us anything, it’s this: “If you’re not first, you’re last.” And on this night, Tyler Stephenson was unquestionably first in style.
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