Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Count Brett Gardner out of at least one part of Players’ Weekend festivities.

Friday marked the beginning of the league’s third annual Players’ Weekend, which allows players to “connect with the fans in fun and engaging ways through their jerseys and equipment.” Gardner, the New York Yankees outfielder, apparently did not get the memo however.

For the Yankees’ first game of the weekend, amid a number of teammates with creative names on jerseys, Gardner’s nickname of choice was … “Gardner.”

While third baseman Gio Urshela’s choice of “Gio” isn’t much better, Gardner wins for choosing the name that is already on the back of his jersey anyway.

Perhaps the veteran, who turns 36 Saturday, just does not have a particular nickname of choice. But with Gardner having a bit of a feud with the league lately, maybe there was something more to his non-participation here.

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