It’s not exactly fresh ink and he’s not even currently in the spotlight, but Blue Jays fans are taking notice of one of Nathan Lukes’ tattoos.
The outfielder has been taking part in games with the team’s single-A affiliate in Dunedin this week as he works his way back from a hamstring injury which landed him on the injured list a month ago.
But when the team posted an update after Wednesday’s game, many fans on social media took note.
Lukes’ tattoo features a Batman logo with the stars and stripes of the American flag and a thin blue line through the middle.
The thin blue line symbol has traditionally been associated with showing support for police officers, law enforcement officials and first responders.
The tattoo reportedly is a tribute to his older brother Shea, whom Nathan bonded with over the Caped Crusader and has been a deputy sheriff in Sacramento County for nearly a decade.
What are fans saying about Lukes’ tattoo?
But many fans are quick to point out that the symbolism of the imagery doesn’t exactly mesh well.
“I’ve seen that on almost everything but the Batman logo is a first,” one user posted on X.
“Ah, yes, Batman. The superhero who famously goes behind the back and against the orders of the police because they can’t do their job. Big cop guy that one is,” another user wrote.
“Thin blue line batman tattoo is wild,” a third user wrote.
Others shared images from Batman comics and graphic novels in which the superhero is seen battling police officers.
Why is the ‘Thin Blue Line’ a divisive issue?
The ‘Thin Blue Line’ often is seen as a political symbol, having gained notoriety a few years ago in the wake of Black Lives Matters protests in the United States. While some Jays fans didn’t agree with that aspect of the tattoo, many pointed out that the reason behind it is likely familial.
“His older brother is a Deputy Sheriff in Sacramento, I’m sure it means no harm,” one user wrote.
It’s unclear how long Lukes has had the inking, but it has appeared in photos of him since he began playing for the Blue Jays in 2023.
There are a couple of reasons why it might not have noticed until now. Lukes often wears long sleeves under his jersey which covers up his body and it is located in a spot on his left forearm that isn’t always visible, especially on a left-handed batter.
How is Lukes’ rehab assignment going?
Lukes has been doing well so far during his time in Dunedin.
After going 0-for-0, with two walks and a sac-fly in Wednesday’s game, he hit a home run and had three RBIs on Thursday.
Before injuring his hamstring in late April, Lukes had posted a batting average of .250 with eight RBIs and five runs scored in 20 games.
He was one of the team’s key players during last year’s playoff run, appearing in all but one of the team’s post-season games.
While nothing official has been announced, if Lukes keeps it up in this current rehab stint, he should be back with the big club in no time.
How did Yohendrick Pinango’s tattoo lead to awkward moment?
Lukes isn’t the first Blue Jays outfielder to be involved in some tattoo controversy this week, either.
During Monday night’s game against the Yankees in New York, the hometown broadcast team took notice of Yohendrick Pinango’s ink – big red lips on the left side of his neck – during an at-bat in the fifth inning.
As the YES Network’s broadcasters – former Blue Jays pitcher David Cone, Yanks great Paul O’Neill and play-by-play man Michael Kay – discussed the tattoo, things got a bit awkward.
“Has he got lips on his neck? Is that what it is?” Cone asked during the game.
“I was gonna say, either mom gave him a big kiss, or he’s got a tattoo,” O’Neill replied.
“That’s pretty good, I like that. I want one. I want to get one of those,” Cone responded, before quipping that he “wouldn’t put it on my neck.”