Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk makes MLB history

Until Alejandro Kirk made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020, Alex Treviño was undisputedly the greatest Mexican catcher in Major League Baseball Baseball history. No Mexican-born catcher has played in more games in the majors than Treviño, who caught some of the greatest pitchers in baseball history over his stellar 13-year career. 

Treviño, a member of Mexico’s Baseball Hall of Fame, caught National Baseball Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Dun Sutton. He also caught the legendary Mexican ace Fernando Valenzuela and superstars Jerry Koosman, Vida Blue and Orel Hershiser.

Treviño, an accomplished radio broadcaster with the Astros, is now perhaps one of Kirk’s biggest fans. He is excited to see that Kirk make history as the first Mexican-born catcher to play in the World Series when the Blue Jays play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the Fall Classic on Friday night at Rogers Centre.

‘A great honor’

“To me as a Mexican it’s an honor, especially to see a native of Mexico,” Treviño says of Kirk’s feat. “He was born in Mexico, and they signed him out of Mexico. It’s a great honor.”

Kirk, who was born in Tijuana not far from the border with San Diego, Calif., has made history already. In 2021, he became the first Mexican-born catches selected to the All-Star Game. He even drew the honor of catching the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium from Valenzuela before that All-Star Game. Kirk earned his second All-Star berth this year.

Kirk is now set to make the type of history every Mexican catcher has sought: an appearance in the Fall Classic.

“It’s the dream you have had since you were a little boy,” Kirk told the media on Thursday in Toronto. “It would mean a lot for me and for Mexico.”

Kirk and Astros backup Cesar Salazar, who has split the last two seasons between Houston and Triple-A, were the only Mexican catchers in the majors this year.

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The late Francisco “Frank” Estrada was the first of eight Mexican catchers in the majors. He played only one game, though, for the New York Mets on Sept. 14, 1971, against the Montreal Expos. Interestingly enough, Estrada was born in Navojoa, Sonora, the same municipality where the great Valenzuela was born.

He was followed by Sergio Robles, who played 16 games in the majors in cameos over parts of three seasons. Geronimo Hill played in 277 games over parts of six seasons from 2001 to 2007. Noe Muñoz played two games in 1995. Miguel Ojeda played 212 games from 2003 to 2006. Salazar has played in 36 games  Ali Solis played in 13 games from 2012 to 2014.

‘A leader’

Kirk will try to guide rookie Trey Yesavage through the Dodgers’ perilous lineup in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Fall Classic. 

“He’s a great guy to talk with,” Yesavage said of Kirk. “He’s a leader behind the plate and in the clubhouse and in the dugout. So everywhere he’s at he’s a leader, and being able to have him at my disposal is huge.”

Most of the Mexican catchers in the majors have been known more for their defensive skills than their prowess at the plate. Kirk is a rarity even by current big league standards. He hasa potent bat and excellent defensive skills. He hit .282 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs.

“He’s been a key part to the Blue Jays’ pitching staff,” Treviño said of Kirk. “Kirks does what you need in a catcher for a contenting team, receive well, throwing batters out. Also, he has a great offensive ability. He doesn’t strike out. Offensively, he gives you what you need.”

Kirk has hit three home runs this postseason. He had one home run with four RBIs and four walks in the American League Championship Series against the Mariners. In a lineup with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, Kirk finds himself in the middle as an important bat.

“We have to go out and play the same game we’ve been playing, keep fighting on every at-bat and every pitch,” Kirk says. “I think it’s something that we’ve been doing, and we’ve been doing it very well.

“I think today it’s a more complete team. Everybody is putting in their part. Everybody is doing their job, and that’s what has us here in the World Series.”