Dodgers Outfielder Retires As World Series Champion
The Toronto Blue Jays wanted Kevin Kiermaier to sail off into the sunset on top which is why they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline.
It was an under-the-radar move but the Blue Jays knew what they were doing.
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On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series with a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees and while Kiermaier wasn’t on the roster, he had a front-row seat from the dugout railing along the third base line.
After the victory, SportsNet reporter Hazel Mae congratulated Kiermaier on the remarkable win and inquired about his experience being part of such an impressive team. Kiermaier offered a humble response, highlighting the significance of the moment.
“I was only here for three months but these guys never quit,” he said. “Never out of games, too much firepower through the lineup one through nine. I always say the best teams have the best players, the players who care the most and it’s hard to match up against these guys and how dedicated each and every player is showing up to the field each and every day.
“Here we are and we reap the reward and benefits from it. Amazing feeling.”
Because of an injury to shortstop Miguel Rojas, Kiermaier was active in the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. He had four at-bats, going 0-for-2 while scoring two runs.
The Gold Glove center fielder knew he was going to retire at the end of the season but playing for the Dodgers injected new life into him.
“Yeah, they’ve pumped life into me,” Kiermaier told the Los Angeles Times in August. “Playoff atmosphere, a team that plays in October every year, this is what I want. My situation earlier in the year in Toronto was … I love the guys over there, but when you’re not winning, life is not as fun.
“Coming here, being in first place in the division and going to battle with these guys each day is an absolute blast. I just want to do my part each and every day.”
Before coming to Los Angeles, he spent parts of 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, reaching the World Series in 2020 and losing to the Dodgers in six games. After signing with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2023 season and re-signing for 2024, he was traded to Los Angeles at the deadline.
Kiermaier has a career batting average of .246, but he struggled this season, hitting just .197 across both teams. His most productive offensive years were at the start of his career, where he posted a .263 average in 2014 and 2015.
Photo Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
