Kirk did not know that he was the first Mexican with a home run in the World Series
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk said he “didn’t know he was the first Mexican” to hit a home run in a World Series
TORONTO — Alejandro Kirk made history for him mexican baseball. And more importantly, cooperated with the bat and with their launchers so that their Toronto Blue Jays they won to Los Angeles Dodgers in it Game 1 of the World Series.
Kirk hit a two-run homer to seal a nine-run sixth inning for the Blue Jays and in the process converted in it first mexican that hits a home run in it Fall Classic.
“I didn’t know I was the first Mexican,” he said after the game in the Blue Jays clubhouse. “I knew I was the first catcher to hit a home run in the World Series. I feel proud and happy for the traffic we have made. Happy for my family and all the support they have given me.”
Kirk also sealed a spectacular offensive night with the home run, as has been his entire season. He had three hits in the same number of official at-bats; He also drew a walk and drove in two runs.
“I am very happy and proud to have contributed a little,” he added. “But the most important thing is that we won today.”
The victory of the Blue Jays in the first game of the series gives an important statistical advantage, according to the history of the Major Leagues.
The winner of Game 1 has taken the Fall Classic 64.2 percent of the time (77 times). This has been the case in 18 of the last 22 World Series and 23 of 27 starting in 1997.
Kirk also became the second Blue Jays catcher to hit at least three hits in a World Series game, as he did Pat Borders in 1992 when he reached base three times in Game 6.
Overall, he is the 25th catcher to reach base four times in the Fall Classic and the sixth to do so in the opening game, as happened with Thurman Munson (1977); Elston Howard (1962); Wes Westrum (1951); Bill Dickey (1938); and Hank Gowdy (1914).
“Alejandro did a great job with the bat but also managing our pitchers,” said his teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “He carried out the game plan and helped the starter and relievers when he had to. It should surprise no one. He is the best.”
Game 2 of the World Series will be played this Saturday at the same Rogers Centre, in Toronto, where 44,331 people paid tickets this Friday. The winner of the second game of the series has been crowned 65 percent of the time and 18 of the last 25.
For the Dodgers, their Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 2-83) will start. The Blue Jays will send Kevin Gausman (2-1, 2-00).
“Tomorrow (Saturday) we have to go out and compete and have fun more than anything,” Kirk said. “It is a very important game just like today.”
