The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired veteran closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder AJ Pollock.
Kimbrel, 33, split 2021 with the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. After struggling with the Cubs in 2019 and 2020, Kimbrel regained his form and earned a NL All-Star selection. However, the Cubs went into sell mode after the All-Star Break and Kimbrel was sent crosstown to be the set up man for Liam Hendriks. That didn't go so well.
In Chavez Ravine, Kimbrel will go back to a more familiar role succeeding Kenley Jansen who is now pitching in Kimbrel's old stomping grounds in Atlanta. He enters the 2022 season with 372 saves which makes him the all-time leader among active pitchers and 9th on MLB's overall list. Kimbrel needs only 6 saves to pass Joe Nathan and 19 to pass Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley.
But the most interesting aspect of this trade is that now Mary Hart can impersonate Kimbrel at every Dodger home game or at least every home game where L.A. has a lead in the 9th. During Game 3 of the 2018 World Series between the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, in the midst of the infamous 18 inning game, the somewhat lubricated former host of Entertainment Tonight impersonated Kimbrel distinctive pitching style.
Under the circumstances, I am surprised no one in the sports media has taken note of it. Although with everything that has happened since 2018, four years ago might as well be in the Middle Ages. I can only hope Mary Hart will remind us once more.
No comments:
Post a Comment