![\"Palacios](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rbvk49m31yt9zjlc.jpg\")
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Rays second baseman Richie Palacios is known for making a statement with his footwear.<\/p>\n
The custom cleats <\/p>\n
The backstory:<\/p>\n
His newest pair of custom cleats features his “zip ’em up” motto and a painted portrait of his signature celebration with shortstop Taylor Walls. The two teammates perform their “dunk” celebration after every Rays win.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Palacios shared a post from Lucia Footwear Company showing off the cleats on Instagram.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He is expected to wear them during the World Series, with Game 1 scheduled for tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 8:08 p.m.<\/p>\n
Palacios wore another custom pair during the Rays’ series against the Yankees. Those shoes featured Lisa Simpson wearing a superhero cape, along with her iconic “lizard queen” moment from Season 4, Episode 13.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cleats were designed by Yeardley Smith, the actress who voices Lisa Simpson.<\/p>\n
Earlier this season, Palacios appeared on Smith’s new “Guard the Yard” podcast. He told her about a personal credo that has helped shape his career: “Rent is due every day.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It [means], just never satisfied. I was a successful player today, okay that’s cool, but I gotta lock in and figure out what I’ve got to do to the next day to be the successful player again. And when I do fail, I’ve got to do it again and again. It’s rent’s due every day. Yes I can be at the top of the mound and the best player ever, but you’re only as good as your next at-bat. I live by that’s been helpful to me in my career,” Palacios explained.<\/p>\n
Smith incorporated the phrase into the pair of custom cleats.<\/p>\n
Palacios’ game-day footwear has also included designs inspired by the Joker and Monsters, Inc.<\/p>\n
What’s behind the jump celebration? <\/p>\n
Dig deeper:<\/p>\n
The celebration is inspired by basketball, and Richie Palacios’ love of the New York Knicks.<\/p>\n
Palacios recently explained to MLB.com that he and Taylor Walls pretended to throw down a between-the-legs dunk as they leap toward each other after a Rays win. At 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-9, respectively, the two infielders are not exactly built for the basketball version.<\/p>\n
“We both wish we could dunk,” Palacios told MLB.com.<\/p>\n
Palacios came up with the idea during the season, and Walls quickly agreed to go along with it. The two have turned it into a postgame tradition, performing the celebration after every Rays win.<\/p>\n
Walls even jokes that their friendly competition continues in the air, saying he tries to jump higher than Palacios. mlb.com<\/a><\/p>\n What’s next:<\/p>\n The Rays open the World Series in Milwaukee on Friday night at 8:08 ET. The game will air on FOX 13, the home of the World Series.<\/p>\n The Source: This report is based on Instagram posts from Palacios and Lucia Footwear Company, Palacios\u00e2\u0080\u0099 appearance on Yeardley Smith\u00e2\u0080\u0099s “Guard the Yard” podcast, and reporting from MLB.com.<\/p>\n