Forget blank slates—Marcus Stroman‘s skin explodes with stories. More than 50 intricate tattoos weave across his body, each stroke a whisper of his dreams, a roar of defiance. From self-help mantras that brush shoulders with Peaky Blinders’ Tommy Shelby to a mid-swing self-portrait adorning a Gold Glove, his canvas bursts with color and grit. Stroman doesn’t just wear ink; he lives it.
So, next time one ponders a permanent mark, let Stroman’s symphony of ink act as an inspiration. Dive into his personal pantheon, where Toronto’s skyline mingles with Rihanna’s gaze and Jackie Robinson’s legacy whispers alongside family portraits. This isn’t just a collection of tattoos; it’s a manifesto etched in flesh, an invitation to explore the possibilities one’s skin can hold.
Stories Etched in Ink: A Journey Through Marcus Stroman’s Tattoos
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On his chest, a battle cry for self-belief. “BElieve in YOUrself” proclaims faith in his own potential, while a heartbeat tattoo whispers the preciousness of life. “sMILE,” a constant reminder to face life’s curveballs with joy, shines with the Toronto Blue Jays jersey number he once donned with pride: No. “6,” alongside “Height Doesn’t Measure Heart,” as an ode to his brand HDMH.
Ink that tells my story. pic.twitter.com/HUncFWB0GY
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) January 2, 2015
Marcus Stroman’s left pec, a shrine to the family. Spanish blessings intertwine with names close to his heart: “Mom,” “Dios me Bendiga,” “Dad,” “Dios me guarde,” “Jes,” “S.D.S.”, a testament to unwavering support, and “NY 631,” his home area code.
His right pectoral flanks a quote by Martin Luther King Jr., reminding him that true character is forged in challenge and controversy. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” wisdom inked forever, challenging him to rise above comfort and conquer adversity.
A poker chip adorned with “Critics Doubters & Haters” on one side and “Doing Everything They Said I Couldn’t!” on the other fuels his defiance against naysayers. Music notes dance below, echoing his passion, while an airplane soars near the quote, symbolizing his ambition to take flight, complete with shaded ink in the empty parts of the pectorals.
Marcus Stroman’s stomach speaks of tattooed lessons. “Grow through what you go through,” a mantra for resilience, sits beside a vibrant Toronto skyline, a permanent mark of his love for the city. Then there’s Rihanna’s smoky portrait, a symbol of unapologetic confidence, her image mirroring Stroman’s own swagger on the mound.
She reminds him to strut his stuff, to own his victories, and to dance to the beat of his own drum, paired with a collaboration of elements representing different facets of his life, a half-full wine glass, and an orchid symbolizing goals yet to be achieved. On his left side, a 9.23 verse from the Bible, “Everything is possible for him who believes,” fuels his unwavering faith.
His arms are a tapestry of dreams and dedication. Stars and angel wings on his left shoulder whisper hope and faith, while dates mark milestones, victories, and setbacks, like the “May 4, 2014” that celebrates his MLB debut with the Blue Jays. “Blessed” on his left forearm speaks of gratitude, while “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars,” inspires him to reach unimaginable heights.
His mother’s green eye and the words “La Familia,” “Mamma’s Bheartttoo,” and “Daddy’s Gift” on his left wrist showcase his devotion to family. “Dreamchaser” and “BREAKING STEREOTYPES” on his left forearm proclaim his pursuit of dreams and defiance against societal expectations. A Puerto Rican flag pays homage to his mother’s homeland, followed by a “MY BELIEF IS STRONGER THAN YOUR DOUBT” standing proclamation to his relentless spirit.
NEW INK! Breaking stereotypes. Boom! #tattoos pic.twitter.com/dGJGcIYmIa
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) December 10, 2013
“Always keep climbing” on his right arm urges him to persevere, while the lion’s face on the forearm roars of his fearlessness. Another quote, “Adversity defines character,” reminds him that challenges shape his true self. The number “161” carries a personal meaning, while the silhouette of a sportsman, bordering “Never Fear,” speaks of his undaunting athletic spirit and unwavering courage.
“Loyal L<3VE” and “More life, less stress” hint at his values and priorities. Another HDMH symbol lies on the right wrist as a tribute to his brand, with “Go To Work, Boy” serving as an aide to his duties and the date “3-19-2015” serving as a constant reminder of his major knee surgery stint.
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Marcus Stroman’s back acts as an altar to another powerful declaration of his love for family and his passions that lay elsewhere. “FAMILY FIRST” reigns supreme in italics, followed by his initials, “M.E.S.” Portraits of his parents, Adlin Auffant and Earl Stroman, gaze down, forever by his side, alongside “SCOTCHPINE DR,” his current area code in Medford, NY, inked on a signboard.
The portraits of two of his favorite characters, Cillian Murphy’s “Thomas Shelby” from the show Peaky Blinders and Denzel Washington’s “Alonzo Harris” from the movie Training Day, serve as a reminder of the values he cherishes the most in a man. His own batting stance, frozen in ink, celebrates his first Gold Glove Award, a reminder of his dedication and excellence. An almost undecipherable scribble of ink adorns the space behind his left ear, as well, with the lower parts of his body donning several other stories portrayed in ink.
50+ stories etched in ink, all a brushstroke on the canvas of Marcus Stroman’s life. More than just markings, they are windows into his soul, whispers of his dreams, and roars of his defiance. In these stories, one finds not just a baseball player but a man etched deep with hope, faith, and the unwavering belief that dreams, like tattoos, are forever. But why so many? Stroman’s got the answer to that, too!
Why so many tattoos? Marcus Stroman answers
The depths of an inked legacy, regardless of the numbers, are what the ace believed in while writing “Tattoo time. Every tattoo has meaning. One of my many passions!” on his Twitter (now X) handle, and such has been further honored by MLB Fits on Instagram when they said, “I think we all know that Marcus Stroman indisputably has the best ink in baseball.”
Tattoo time. Every tattoo has meaning. One of my many passions! #INK pic.twitter.com/NJr0rPU7Ly
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) November 24, 2014
As a journey of ink explodes across his canvas skin, every tattoo is a story, a triumph etched in permanence. Self-help mantras like “Believe in Yourself” brush shoulders with portraits of Cillian Murphy, yet the most audacious masterpiece lies nestled above his kidney: a miniature Marcus, mid-swing, forever immortalized, clutched within his Gold Glove Award.
This isn’t vanity; it’s a celebration of defying the odds. A pitcher hitting a home run? Unheard of. But Stroman did the unthinkable, leaving only one option: ink it on, a trophy etched not just in gold but in flesh. One possibly cannot fathom such self-confidence, but then again, they’d probably never have ever defied baseball’s gravity.
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So now, when the summer sun warms his tattooed back and a curious onlooker inquires, “Is that… you?” Stroman’s self-portrait just grins. “Yeah, man,” it would say, with a twinkle in its eyes, “I hit a homer once. I had to remember it somehow.” Because sometimes the only way to believe in yourself is to tattoo your own legacy on your skin. Intriguingly, Stroman used one of his body pieces to pay homage to the African-American legends of MLB. Take a wild guess about which one that is.
A medium of respect? How Marcus Stroman gave Jackie Robinson a tribute after inking Skyline of Toronto
Marcus Stroman’s love for Toronto isn’t just whispered in interviews or scribbled on autographs. It’s a vibrant story inked on his skin, a symphony of memories etched across his abdomen. Nestled away from the CN Tower’s silhouette and Rihanna’s smoky gaze, a subtle figure emerges on his right thigh; Jackie Robinson, with the words “Only LOVE can do that” boldly displayed around it. This isn’t just a tribute; it’s a conversation across time, a silent acknowledgment of the path paved for a young athlete like Stroman.
Got you tatted for a reason. Beyond grateful for your heroic presence through dark times. Your sacrifices allowed me to play the game I love today. Forever thankful for you. Thank you Jackie! #JackieRobinsonDay 🖤 pic.twitter.com/x4zc6PQgXZ
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) April 15, 2021
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Robinson’s journey wasn’t a leisurely stroll through a sun-drenched park. It was a gauntlet of hate, a barrage of vitriol hurled from stands and whispered in locker rooms. He faced every blow with quiet dignity, his talent the only weapon he needed to silence the doubters. Stroman, too, has known the sting of criticism and the weight of skepticism placed on his “smaller” frame. Yet, like Robinson, he perseveres, his pitches echoing the defiance of a man who refuses to be defined by limitations.
The Toronto skyline on Stroman’s canvas isn’t just a picturesque postcard, either. It’s a testament to a city that embraced him, a place where his talent blossomed and his voice found its rhythm. It’s a reminder that in Toronto, he wasn’t just a “baseball player,” he was Marcus, the artist, the musician, and the man.
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This intricate tapestry of ink isn’t just a collection of personal icons; it’s a statement of purpose. It’s a declaration that Marcus Stroman stands on the shoulders of the titans of MLB and that he carries the torch lit by Robinson, not just for himself but for every young athlete who dares to dream beyond the expectations set by others.
So, the next time one sees Stroman toe the rubber, they should look beyond the fastball and the curveball. Look for the stories etched on his skin, the silent whispers of a legacy carried forward, a tribute to the man who made it all possible, and a promise from a young athlete to keep the fight for equality alive, one pitch at a time.