Mariners' George Kirby gets roasted by former All-Stars after postgame comment

Seattle Mariners young starter George Kirby, an All-Star for the first time this summer and a vital part of their playoff push, found himself as perhaps the most vilified player in the game Saturday thanks to a single soundbite. 

Kirby, 25, had everyone from seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens to All-Star pitchers Mark Mulder, Jered Weaver, Brandon McCarthy and Dallas Braden, to World Series champion Doug Mientkiewicz, openly berating him on social media, questioning whether he deserves to even be a major-league player.   

Baseball executives and scouts also privately revealed their disgust towards Kirby when they saw the video clip on X, formerly Twitter Friday night complaining that he should been taken out of the game after six innings instead of going out for the seventh. Kirby had thrown 93 pitches and had a 4-2 lead heading into the seventh. He then gave up the game-tying homer on his 103^rd and final pitch, with the Mariners losing 7-4 to the Tampa Bay Rays. 

“I wish I wasn’t out there for the seventh, to be honest,’’ Kirby told reporters. “I was at 90 pitches.  I didn’t think I needed to go any more. But it what it is. …. 

“There will be a conversation soon.’’ 

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Kirby’s complaint went absolutely viral. 

Mulder posted: “Can’t imagine ever having that thought at any point on the mound or during a game. Much less repeating to reporters. Crazy that someone can be so mentally weak who plays a sport at a high-level.’’ 

Weaver: “This is why I’ll never any kind of coach in the big leagues to be honest… I shouldn’t have been out there? I threw 90 pitches? What the [expletive]? Embarrassing truly embarrassing.’’ 

Mientkiewicz: “You have 3 weeks left in a playoff race and you want out after 90? Sadly this is how most minor league systems are “developing’’ starters these days.’’ 

Clemens: “This is tough to hear… would not fly in the old days! Unfortunately this is how players are being taught with modern analytics…. What are y’all’s thoughts?’’ 

McCarthy: Don’t know all the details here but this is really weird. I get the feeling if you’re of gas but can’t imagine ever verbalizing this publicly.’’ 

Kirby spoke to Mariners manager Scott Servais on Saturday morning and apologized. 

“Obviously, I screwed up,’’ Kirby told reporters. “That’s not me. Skip’s always got to pry that ball out of my hands. Just super uncharacteristic of me as a player and who I am on that mound. I love competing.’’ 

Kirby, 10-9, 3.48 ERA, has been struggling of late. He is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in his last four starts. 

Follow Nightengale on X, formerly Twitter: @Bnightengale