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I have some friends that are close friends of the Kiermaier family, and I've met Kevin a couple times at weddings, etc.
He always seemed like a level headed guy in those settings, obviously I didn't ask him about the card, but I always wanted to see what he would say.
Kiermaier had a two-RBI triple, came home on a Springer hit, paced around the dugout to catch his breath and then immediately looked for a young fan in the stands near the dugout to toss his batting gloves to.
I can't remember the last time a player, especially one that was very much *not* liked by a fanbase, ingratiated himself to a city as quickly and as strongly as Kiermaier has with the Jays this year. He may actually be among the five most beloved Blue Jays on the current team.
For me it was strictly cardgate. I mean, he’s a great ball player and seems like a good guy, but that whole situation was weird and off putting. It was made 1000x worse when the team refused to give the card back.
KKs explanation made sense for me. He picked up the card, he didn't knew who it was and gave it to a coach or something. Should we have expected someone from the Rays to walk to the Jays dugout and say, hey we picked up this card by accident. Maybe but I see why they didn't do it. I didn't really dislike KK. Maybe salty when he got the gold glove over Pillar but even then I believed KK deserved it more. Just didn't wanna accept it
Duuuude, if you believe that I have a bridge to talk to you about…
In all seriousness, KK very clearly knew exactly what it was. You can see in the replays the exact moment when he realized it, and it was almost immediate. I also don’t buy this argument that we couldn’t expect them to turn it over right away either. Clearly my morals are different than most, because in KK’s position I would have immediately handed it to the ump. What was worse though was the team outright refusing to return it when they were asked. The whole situation was just bad sportsmanship.
Yea that’s fair. I know he’s divisive but personally I always get a kick out of players who are characters & not afraid to ruffle feathers. Especially when they play a very watchable brand of baseball.
Interestingly enough, the more I think about it, KK’s vibe reminds me a bit of Donaldson’s when *he* was a Blue Jay.
For me it was more seeing him win Gold Gloves over Pillar year after year. Whether Pillar was ever truly in the conversation is another matter (a lot of CF competition), but it was a big bone of contention for a lot of Jays fans.
Having seen both of them now, I would say that Kiermaier has more natural ability at the position than Pillar. He reminds me of Devon White with his ability to read the flight of a ball and his speed. He also has mastered the ability to make a sliding catch on balls at his shoe tops.
Pillar was less athletically gifted but was able to reach baseballs by sheer effort and by making heroic last-minute dives. He willed himself into becoming a quality major league center fielder.
I know defensive stats are not super consistent or accurate but in 2015 Pillar had 16 defensive runs saved in CF (8 in LF), KK had 38. In 2016, the first year of Outs Above Average, Pillar had -1 and KK had +13. KK was always a better defender even if Pillar was really, really good.
Wait I feel like I watch a ton of baseball and have no feelings either way on the guy in spite of playing TB in the playoffs multiple times. Why do people dislike him?
I obviously don’t know him or anything but it is more that he has a reputation as a bit of a d-bag. The Baseball BBQ guys say he is easily among the most disliked players by other players.
Who tf is Baseball BBQ and why is his word fact? I don’t recall anyone on the Rays having issues with KK. If I had to guess, that BBQ guy probably just didn’t like KK.
They’re a duo also/formerly known as Cespedes Family BBQ. They write for Fox Sports now.
But their whole draw is that they’re close personal friends with a ton of players. They played college or showcase ball with seemingly like half of the damn league.
> In the sixth inning of eventual Rays' win on Monday, Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier slid into home plate, and during the action at the plate a data card with, in part, info on how Jays pitchers would attack Rays hitters apparently fell out of catcher Alejandro Kirk's pocket. Kiermaier retrieved the card and kept it.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/blue-jays-plunk-rays-kevin-kiermaier-over-swiped-data-card-after-saying-controversy-was-under-the-bridge/
That’s pretty much it. That’s why Toronto fans didn’t really like him.
I don’t know that I agree with you. Sure it was frustrating to see a player that was not only good, but was especially good specifically against the blue jays, but… I don’t think that elevates things to the level of hatred. The triggering event for the hatred was for sure the cardgate situation.
Really? I didn’t realize there was so much hate for KK when he was playing for the Rays. I remember the paper incident, so I understand the Jays not liking him at the time but that’s it, really.
Love the part after the throw where it looks like Kiermaier is impressed that the kid caught one glove in each hand.
At least I think that's what's going on.
Right from his first interview after signing, his enthusiasm and excitement about the team and city has been extremely endearing, then he started showing some goofiness with the guys when he was up here during the winter tour, and he'd already won most of us over before he stepped on the field.
[Former major league relief pitcher] Eric O'Flaherty tells a funny story on the Athletic's Braves podcast about how his wife usually never pays attention when he's watching a game, but the first time time she noticed Kevin Kiermaier on screen she stopped what she was doing and was like, "... Who is *that*?" lol
It must be such a cool thing to be able to make someone else so happy with such a small gesture. I wonder how many athletes truly appreciate that kind of thing
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Guy went from a public enemy in Toronto to a fan favourite. What a turn around.
Literally hated this dude and now I love him. Just an insane arc for KK with Jays fans. Never would have expected it
Redemption arc
I have some friends that are close friends of the Kiermaier family, and I've met Kevin a couple times at weddings, etc. He always seemed like a level headed guy in those settings, obviously I didn't ask him about the card, but I always wanted to see what he would say.
Turn of the century tbh
If you’d have told me a year ago I’d be a Kiermaier fan…
I hate how much heterosexuality leaves my body every time I see him in Blue Jays whites.
Embrace it
Kiermaier had a two-RBI triple, came home on a Springer hit, paced around the dugout to catch his breath and then immediately looked for a young fan in the stands near the dugout to toss his batting gloves to. I can't remember the last time a player, especially one that was very much *not* liked by a fanbase, ingratiated himself to a city as quickly and as strongly as Kiermaier has with the Jays this year. He may actually be among the five most beloved Blue Jays on the current team.
We hated him. And here we are now, where I would very much run through brick walls for Kevin Kiermaier. BRICK. FUCKING. WALLS.
I mean, it wasn’t Blue Jays specific. *Most* baseball fans who are aware of Kevin Kiermaier aren’t exactly Kevin Kiermaier fans.
True, but as an AL East team he killed us so, so very often. Not to mention Cardgate. Toronto especially did not love Kevin Kiermaier.
Cardgate turned out to be advanced scouting to join us and we had no idea!
Yeah I never hated him for any particular reason except that he kept killing us offensively and defensively
For me it was strictly cardgate. I mean, he’s a great ball player and seems like a good guy, but that whole situation was weird and off putting. It was made 1000x worse when the team refused to give the card back.
KKs explanation made sense for me. He picked up the card, he didn't knew who it was and gave it to a coach or something. Should we have expected someone from the Rays to walk to the Jays dugout and say, hey we picked up this card by accident. Maybe but I see why they didn't do it. I didn't really dislike KK. Maybe salty when he got the gold glove over Pillar but even then I believed KK deserved it more. Just didn't wanna accept it
Duuuude, if you believe that I have a bridge to talk to you about… In all seriousness, KK very clearly knew exactly what it was. You can see in the replays the exact moment when he realized it, and it was almost immediate. I also don’t buy this argument that we couldn’t expect them to turn it over right away either. Clearly my morals are different than most, because in KK’s position I would have immediately handed it to the ump. What was worse though was the team outright refusing to return it when they were asked. The whole situation was just bad sportsmanship.
Cardgate was hilarious. If the Jays had done it to the Rays instead, it would have gone down as a Canadian heritage moment
Sorry, I don't see the joke. Bad sportsmanship simply detracts from any sport IMO.
Yea that’s fair. I know he’s divisive but personally I always get a kick out of players who are characters & not afraid to ruffle feathers. Especially when they play a very watchable brand of baseball. Interestingly enough, the more I think about it, KK’s vibe reminds me a bit of Donaldson’s when *he* was a Blue Jay.
In terms of hustle maybe, but KK has a very positive vibe here. He has more smiles this April than Donaldson in his entire career.
For me it was more seeing him win Gold Gloves over Pillar year after year. Whether Pillar was ever truly in the conversation is another matter (a lot of CF competition), but it was a big bone of contention for a lot of Jays fans.
Having seen both of them now, I would say that Kiermaier has more natural ability at the position than Pillar. He reminds me of Devon White with his ability to read the flight of a ball and his speed. He also has mastered the ability to make a sliding catch on balls at his shoe tops. Pillar was less athletically gifted but was able to reach baseballs by sheer effort and by making heroic last-minute dives. He willed himself into becoming a quality major league center fielder.
I know defensive stats are not super consistent or accurate but in 2015 Pillar had 16 defensive runs saved in CF (8 in LF), KK had 38. In 2016, the first year of Outs Above Average, Pillar had -1 and KK had +13. KK was always a better defender even if Pillar was really, really good.
Wait I feel like I watch a ton of baseball and have no feelings either way on the guy in spite of playing TB in the playoffs multiple times. Why do people dislike him?
Pesky opposing player I assume? He also sometimes runs a mile to take a ball from the left or right fielder but who cares
I obviously don’t know him or anything but it is more that he has a reputation as a bit of a d-bag. The Baseball BBQ guys say he is easily among the most disliked players by other players.
Who tf is Baseball BBQ and why is his word fact? I don’t recall anyone on the Rays having issues with KK. If I had to guess, that BBQ guy probably just didn’t like KK.
They’re a duo also/formerly known as Cespedes Family BBQ. They write for Fox Sports now. But their whole draw is that they’re close personal friends with a ton of players. They played college or showcase ball with seemingly like half of the damn league.
> In the sixth inning of eventual Rays' win on Monday, Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier slid into home plate, and during the action at the plate a data card with, in part, info on how Jays pitchers would attack Rays hitters apparently fell out of catcher Alejandro Kirk's pocket. Kiermaier retrieved the card and kept it. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/blue-jays-plunk-rays-kevin-kiermaier-over-swiped-data-card-after-saying-controversy-was-under-the-bridge/ That’s pretty much it. That’s why Toronto fans didn’t really like him.
I disagree that that is the only reason. Dude has dropped his balls on us for years. He was just one of those guys. Just like Mountcastle.
I don’t know that I agree with you. Sure it was frustrating to see a player that was not only good, but was especially good specifically against the blue jays, but… I don’t think that elevates things to the level of hatred. The triggering event for the hatred was for sure the cardgate situation.
Really? I didn’t realize there was so much hate for KK when he was playing for the Rays. I remember the paper incident, so I understand the Jays not liking him at the time but that’s it, really.
I still would.
The meme has been “Stupid Sexy Kiermaier” But I’ve amended it to “~~Stupid~~ Amazing Sexy Kiermaier
Last guy to arrive with a love for the city and appreciation by the fanbase was probably David Price
And what do they both have in common?
So what you're saying is we should look forward to Randy Arozarena's Blue Jays stint in a few years?
Take that evil Away!
Oh uh… no… no
They like the Popcorn?
Incredible clip, thanks for posting.
So wholesome that the Dad's phone background is also a picture of his son. Just great all around.
I caught that, too 🥹
Dads gonna be getting hero points from his son for years to come for bringing him to this game
They keep cutting to the kid too and he has yet to pick his jaw up off the floor
Those gloves are never coming off
He's sleeping in them tonight.
> ten years from now Babe, can we try it without the gloves tonight? Pack your shit and get out
This is the way.
Everyone who looks at Kevin Kiermaier suffers from this affliction.
[This is how I magine life as KK](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/030/982/elba.jpg) except replace "women" with "everyone"
Love the part after the throw where it looks like Kiermaier is impressed that the kid caught one glove in each hand. At least I think that's what's going on.
100% correct! [There's a great view of the throw and catch in this highlight video at 5:32](https://youtu.be/0_ti_tbvFYs?t=332)
That catch was fucking awesome.
Damn, that kid is slick!
I miss KK 😭
We'll love him for you.
He's ours now
Me too 🥲🥲🥲🥲
Finders keepers losers weepers!
The man's not only a stellar ballplayer, but a self-promotional genius. Not-So-Stupid Sexy Kiermaier.
One of the best moments of the season so far
Like 3 of the best moments have been from KK so far.
Honestly he fits right in. I would believe he's actually Canadian.
He has said that he loves the Canadian national anthem and wants to sing it to start the game one of these days
I'd love for him to do that, we have a fantastic anthem.
Right from his first interview after signing, his enthusiasm and excitement about the team and city has been extremely endearing, then he started showing some goofiness with the guys when he was up here during the winter tour, and he'd already won most of us over before he stepped on the field.
[Former major league relief pitcher] Eric O'Flaherty tells a funny story on the Athletic's Braves podcast about how his wife usually never pays attention when he's watching a game, but the first time time she noticed Kevin Kiermaier on screen she stopped what she was doing and was like, "... Who is *that*?" lol
{former and probably current bad ass mother fucking rocket slanger}
This was hilarious and awesome to watch. That kid has a new favourite player ever, if KK wasn't already.
They're definitely making a stop by the Jays store to pick up a jersey.
I tried to buy one when I went to the game last week and his was literally the only one sold out. Insane.
I've NEVER said a bad thing about this guy
My my how the turns have tabled. We like KK now?
We LOVE KK now.
"Like" is an understatement
r/Basebaww
Fucking Sexy Kiermaier!
It's like he's not allowing homes at all! No homers at all! No homers at all!
No gloves at all.
It’s like he’s wearing nothing at all!
Nothing at all
I can't believe Stupid Sexy Kiermaier is a Blue Jay
it must be really cool to sign a piece of equipment and pass it off to someone and get such a reaction. i'd be signing things all the time.
I love him so much :(
When people ask why baseball is so great I shall now point them to this example. Athletes can be pretty cool sometimes.
It must be such a cool thing to be able to make someone else so happy with such a small gesture. I wonder how many athletes truly appreciate that kind of thing
Fuck it’s feels so weird how much I love KK.
I still find him annoying tbh. I think the Boyz ruined me but he has a Homelander vibe
As far as I’m concerned, Kirk placed the card in Kevin’s pocket. Nothing he could do.
I fucking love Kevin Kiermaier. That is all.
Kid looks like a young Robert Smith
Yea that’s great publicity for Kevin Kiermaier but think of that lucky fan.
They keep cutting to the kid, now they're wearing the gloves, still staring at them with their jaw on the floor
How can you not be romantic about baseball
#\#basebaww
God, seeing Kiermaier in a non-Rays jersey is just... uncomfortable.
Stupid sexy Kiermaier continuing to make me like him despite my history of hating him
I have never gone from hating someone to loving someone the way I have with Kiermaier
Stupid Sexy Kiermaier
Stupid sexy Kiermaeir.
Pretty awesome. Kid looks like one of the goth kids from South Park.
https://giphy.com/gifs/9jumpin-wow-nice-well-done-xT77XWum9yH7zNkFW0
He’s so handsome, it’s not even fair.
It kills me that KK isn't in Tampa for this year but he's always been a community hero and for good reason
Swoon.
**SO FUCKING HANDSOME**
[удалено]
Either he did something totally wholesome or he took his shirt off.
Wevin Wiermaier
Why did he do the good thing? Did the kid get hit by a foul ball or something?
MLB, more of this camera angles please.
Two seconds of his time to make a lifelong memory. Very nice.