Montgomery County native James Wood brought a piece of home with him to Major League Baseball’s biggest stage.
For Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game, the Washington Nationals outfielder wore a pair of custom New Balance cleats designed by Stadium Custom Kicks that celebrated his journey from Olney, Maryland, to Nationals Park.
One cleat featured the route Wood has traveled countless times from his hometown to Washington, D.C., while the other showcased the Washington skyline, paying tribute to the city where the 23-year-old has developed into an MLB All-Star.
“Every journey starts somewhere,” Stadium Custom Kicks wrote in a social media post unveiling the design. “These custom New Balance All-Star spikes celebrate James Wood’s path from his hometown of Olney, Maryland to Nationals Park.”
Wood was born in Rockville and grew up in Olney, where he played youth baseball for the Olney Boys and Girls Club (OBGC). He attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, following his sophomore year to focus on baseball.
The San Diego Padres selected Wood in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, but he was acquired by the Nationals at the 2022 trade deadline as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade. He made his major league debut with Washington in 2024 and has since emerged as one of baseball’s brightest young stars.
Wood earned his first MLB All-Star selection after an outstanding first half of the 2026 season, entering the break with 23 home runs and 56 RBIs. The custom cleats served as a reminder that, even on baseball’s biggest stage, Wood hasn’t forgotten where his journey began.
