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Kiermaier thanks Blue Jays fans in heartfelt video: "I love you people"

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Nov 20 2024, 10:18 pm
Kiermaier thanks Blue Jays fans in heartfelt video: "I love you people"
Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports

One thank you message wasn’t all Kevin Kiermaier wanted to give Toronto Blue Jays fans for all the support they have shown him.

Kiermaier was a member of the Blue Jays for parts of two seasons, having been signed ahead of the 2023 campaign and remaining with them until being traded to the LA Dodgers at the 2024 deadline.

At the time he was traded, Kiermaier sent out a message to Blue Jays fans thanking them for the support and love they showed him, even when he wasn’t performing at his best. Now, fresh off of a World Series ring, the recently retired outfielder once again took some time to thank all the fans in Toronto, and Canada, for all the love they showed him.

“What’s up Blue Jays fans. How you doing? Kevin Kiermaier here,” the four-time Gold Glove Award winner said. “Look, I’m two weeks into retirement, fresh off a World Series, happy as can be to end my career going out like that, as a champ. Fourteen-year-pro career, a lot of ups and downs, but it was the best journey I could have ever asked for. I learned so much about myself, other people, so many things. What a journey.

“Part of that journey was my year and a half in Toronto, let me focus my attention on the Blue Jays fans, because I love you people. I love you so much. The way you treated me from the get-go, what a dream. What a dream to be in that situation and be viewed the way I was viewed in Toronto by you people. Nothing but love from you guys. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Though he struggled this past season, Kiermaier was very productive for the Blue Jays in 2023, hitting .265 in 370 at-bats, while also winning his fourth and final Gold Glove Award.

Fittingly, the 34-year-old, who announced before the trade that he would be retiring at the end of the season, was able to join the Dodgers and win the first World Series championship of his career, much to the delight of the Blue Jays’ fan base.

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