Alejandro Kirk's Mexican hometown has epic way to honour Toronto Blue Jays star
The Toronto Blue Jays might be Canada’s team, but they’re making a decent case to become Mexico’s team, too.
While the country doesn’t have any major league franchises of its own, support among Mexicans has been spread out across various MLB markets.
Toronto’s opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers, has a big stranglehold on the market, partially influenced by the sensational performances of young pitcher Fernando Valenzuela for the franchise in the 1980s and 1990s.
But for a younger fanbase, Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk has become a fan favourite.
Born in Tijuana, the 26-year-old catcher has been sensational throughout the postseason. A two-time All-Star, Kirk’s five home runs in the playoffs are already fourth-most all-time by a Jays player, trailing only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (seven), and Joe Carter and Jose Bautista (six each).
Since making his MLB debut in 2020, Kirk has become a favourite of both fans and his fellow teammates.
“Kirky does it on both sides,” said Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer earlier this week, per MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. “He’s back there grinding and calling a game. But he’s also lethal at throwing out baserunners… His bat is such an important bat in our lineup. He can have long at-bats and hit the ball to all fields, and he’s a tough out. He means a lot to our ballclub.”
And back in his hometown, a massive mural of the catcher has emerged under a bridge, via Mexican journalist David Faitelson.
Mientras tanto, bajo algún puente de Tijuana… pic.twitter.com/4xkYddQ36I
— David Faitelson (@DavidFaitelson_) October 28, 2025
While we don’t have too much info on the mural or its creator, a series of letters on the painting reads IMJUV, which appears to stand for Instituto Municipal para la Juventud, which roughly translates to “Local Youth Institute.”
Kirk and the Blue Jays are now just two victories away from a first World Series title since 1993, in what would be one of the biggest moments in Toronto sporting history. Though we can’t guarantee how the rest of the series will go, we can only assume that Kirk has created fans all throughout his home country over the course of the playoff run.