‘I got bad news’: Toronto Blue Jays’ Kiermaier says bike was stolen from garage
Posted August 2, 2023 10:29 am.
Last Updated August 2, 2023 10:32 am.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is quickly getting acclimated to his new team and city, sharing a rather upsetting but perhaps unsurprising update regarding his new life in the 6ix.
Kiermaier, who joined the Blue Jays as a free agent after spending his entire baseball career with the Tampa Bay Rays, told CityNews ahead of Tuesday’s game that his bike was stolen from his Toronto home.
“I got some bad news,” Kiermaier told CityNews sports reporter Lindsay Dunn. “My garage door was malfunctioning during a road trip, and it was going up and down. The neighbour said it was left open for maybe more than a day, and it was real enticing for someone, and they yanked it.”
The 33-year-old was using his bike to get around the city, including to the Rogers Centre, for home games.
“It’s alright, though. It got me to and from the park. I am thankful for my bike rides.”
Kiermaier is everything Blue Jays could have hoped for
Kiermaier has been a valuable member of the Blue Jays this season. After struggling with a lingering hip issue for much of 2022, the veteran outfielder had offseason surgery and was deemed 100 per cent healthy when the Blue Jays came calling.
On and off the field, Kiermaier has been everything the Blue Jays could have hoped for. He’s hitting .270/.334/.417 in 90 games with five home runs, 24 RBIs, five triples and 11 stolen bases.
Defensively he remains one of the game’s elite centerfielders, entering Wednesday with 3.1 wins above replacement (WAR), currently third behind Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette.
“I try to always make my time here on the field count. I want to make the best of this,” Kiermaier said.
“I know my teammates appreciate it. The fans appreciate it. For me, It’s who I am… I like having fun out here, and winning makes it a lot better. That is what we’re going to try and do here these next few months.”
The Blue Jays enter Wednesday’s game against Baltimore with a 59-49 record and seven-and-a-half back for first in the AL East Division. They currently occupy the third and final Wild Card spot.
