The villain, who was hated by Toronto Blue Jays fans, has now emerged as a blessing. Outfielder Kevin Kiermeyer (33) of the 3rd Gold Glove Award received enthusiastic cheers for his impressive performance in his Toronto home debut.
On the 12th (Korean time), in the 2023 major league home game against the Detroit Tigers, which was played at the Toronto Rogers Center in Ontario, Canada, Kiermeier started as a 9th hitter in center field and scored 1 hit and 1 RBI in 4 at-bats. One hit was a home run that made the game 3-3 in the 5th inning. Season 1’s Horseman’s home run contributed to Toronto’s home opener 9-3 victory.
Toronto fans cheered even in defense, his major. In particular, in the second inning, Kerry Carpenter stretched out his left arm to catch a ball that went over the fence in the middle of the fence, and caught it with a jump catch. Through the remodeling of the stadium, Kiermeyer succeeded in a picturesque super catch above the height of the fence from 10 feet (3m) to 8 feet (2.4m). Pitcher Alec Manoa took off his glove and clapped with a smile. The 42,053 Toronto fans who filled the Rogers Center for the home opener also gave a standing ovation.
This was unimaginable even two years ago메이저놀이터 After making his debut at the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013, Kiermeier, who worked for only one team for 10 years, was recognized for his outfield defense with three Gold Gloves. He is a semi-hota player who has recorded double-digit home runs and stolen bases in five seasons each, but two years ago he got involved with Toronto.
On September 21, 2021, the incident started when he came home in the 6th inning against Toronto and bumped into catcher Alejandro Kirk and was tagged out. At this time, a note containing the relative power analysis fell out of Kirk’s wristband. Kiermeyer, who secretly picked up the note that had fallen on the ground, took it to the Tampa Bay dugout without returning it.
Toronto, who recognized it belatedly, asked to return the note during the game, but Tampa Bay refused, and controversy over bad manners arose. It was Kiermeyer who said, “I picked it up without knowing what it was,” but the day after the incident, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash apologized to Toronto. On the 23rd, the last match of the season, Kiermeyer had to be hit by a beanball stuck in the back.
Afterwards, Kiermeyer, who was booed at the Toronto expedition, changed his uniform to Toronto after the season last year. Kiermeyer, who became a free agent when Tampa Bay did not exercise a $13 million team option, signed a free agent contract with Toronto for $9 million a year. Although he was not well-liked by Toronto fans, he emerged as a lucky player not only in wide defense as a center fielder, but also in batting with a batting average of .382 (13 hits in 34 bats), 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and an OPS of .971 in 9 games.
Toronto local media’The Star’ said,’Kiermeyer, who was one of the most hated players in Toronto, may now become popular enough to be elected as the next mayor. From the home opener, he played a pivotal role in Toronto’s victory and received several standing ovations. He wasted no time in winning over new home fans and boosted his approval ratings,’ he said.
Kiermeyer said, “After becoming a free agent, I wanted to be recognized. When he signed with Toronto, he recognized me at the club. He wanted to show me the best I have,” he said. The fans here know how much we want to succeed. We will pop champagne at the end of the year,” he said confidently of winning.