George Kirby undeserving of criticism after recent comments

George Kirby received backlash due to comments he made after Friday’s loss to the Rays, but the negativity alluded to a lack of understanding.

Sometimes … make that a lot of times … when it comes to professional athletes, there is a lack of appreciation, objectivity and understanding. One such example is the backlash George Kirby received after some comments he made.

More specifically, comments Kirby made following Friday’s 7-4 loss to the Rays. Speaking to the media, he said:

“I wish I wasn’t out there for the seventh to be honest. I was at 90 pitches (after six innings) and I didn’t think I needed to go anymore. But it is what it is.”

The backlash these comments received, highlighted the ugly side of the media and fans. Starting with the media, it highlighted a long-time frustration for this particular writer.

The irrational frustration of the media

When players offer perceived bland and uninspiring responses to questions, the media often gets irritated by the lack of a compelling soundbite. However, when an athlete does say something remotely interesting or controversial, the same media jump all over it, using this as an opportunity to criticize said athlete for their comments.

How can the media have the audacity to complain about the lack of headline-worthy comments, when they know full well how they’ll respond when they do get one? Can you really blame players for holding back on what they really feel, when they know what being more honest will result in?

In terms of Kirby’s comments specifically, there was the added aspect of them being blown out of proportion by peopl. And this is where we now bring the fans into the equation.

Fans showing no compassion

For all those responding negatively to what the 2023 All-Star said, this shows how little they really pay attention to who he is. He is renowned for being a pitcher who wears his heart on his sleeve; he is extremely competitive and puts a lot of expectations on himself.

Kirby was already frustrated, due to giving up two walks. This is a guy who had allowed just 14 walks all season, prior to Friday’s start.

Now add in allowing a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, and it is entirely understandable why the righty was wound up. And with the Mariners going on to lose the game, you know he felt bad for letting the team down.

In respect of letting the team down, this was one of the criticisms Kirby received about his comments. Essentially, how could he criticize manager Scott Servais in public?

George Kirby no different to most other young adults

Here’s the thing though, how many people out there can claim they’ve never said something they later regret? The only difference is, Kirby made his comments in a public setting -most people in ‘normal’ life don’t have a microphone shoved in their faces, when they are still felling angry, let down, or whatever about something which just transpired.

And for all those who say it comes with the territory and they get well-paid for it, you’re right, but it still doesn’t make an athlete immune from mistakes. Where is the compassion and understanding for what Kirby — or whoever — was going through?

In addition, let’s not forget the young man is only 25. Who among us can say they never made mistakes at such a young age; it’s par the course and almost a rite of passage for everyone negotiating through the first few decades of their life.

A show of maturity

Ironically, Kirby showed a lot more maturity than arguably the majority of his critics when they were a similar age, by apologizing the following day. Speaking to the media, he said:

“Obviously, I screwed up and, you know, that’s not me. (The manager has) always got to pry that ball out of my hands. Just super uncharacteristic of me as a player, and who I am out on that mound. I love competing.”

Kirby then went on to provide more insight into the rationale behind his feelings following Friday’s game. He said:

“That first inning was just weird. I never walked two people in my life like that. But no, I beared down and got the rest of those innings done and unfortunately, let up that home run at the end. I think there’s just a lot of frustration coming out. Clearly I wasn’t in the right state of mind when I came to talk to you guys last night. So it is what it is. I (will) go live with it and I’ll just move on.”

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So what happened?

With everything that’s been said these last couple of days here’s this writer’s opinion, without any inside knowledge whatsoever. What’s probably happened is, Friday was just one of those games where Kirby knew he didn’t have it on the night.

The 2019 20th overall draft pick has then likely relayed this message to the coaching staff after the sixth inning, saying it’s best if he comes out. At this point, we would anticipate Servais has asked him to go out for one more inning,

The reasoning for this would be because of how tired and over-used the bullpen has been of late. In addition Servais was probably thinking ahead, knowing he was going to deploy a bullpen game rather than use a proper starter for Saturday’s game.

As such, when Kirby lasted only one more out and gave up the tying run, he would have understandably been frustrated and felt somewhat let down. Effectively, he would have seen the outcome as justification he was right to ask to be taken out previously.

Ultimately though, this is one of those things where too much has been made of what Kirby said, along with the aforementioned lack of compassion, understanding and objectivity. Now, as the pitcher himself is doing, everyone else should just move on.

Where do you stand on the backlash from the comments by George Kirby? Do you think he deserved the criticism or not, and why? Let us know in the comments section below.