Orioles’ Craig Kimbrel: ‘Definitely heard’ Phils fans at Camden
The atmosphere at Camden Yards on Saturday was electric as the Baltimore Orioles hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. The first two games of the series were sellouts, with fans from both teams filling the stands.
For Orioles reliever Craig Kimbrel, who previously played for the Phillies, this was a reunion with some familiar faces. And it was clear that the Phillies fans who made the trip to Baltimore still harbored some resentment towards Kimbrel for his role in their team’s defeat in the National League Championship Series the previous year.
But Kimbrel didn’t let the hostile reception affect him, as he came in to close out the Orioles’ 6-2 victory. While it wasn’t a save situation, the three strikeouts he recorded in the ninth inning were a satisfying response to the jeers of the Phillies fans.
“I was in Philadelphia all last year, so I knew that the fans would travel, especially with it being so close,” Kimbrel reflected after the game. “I figured I’d get a nice reception.”
The greeting, however, was far from warm. But Kimbrel wasn’t fazed, having experienced the passionate Philly fans before. And even as he walked the first batter, he quickly regained control and shut down the rest of the hitters to secure the win for the Orioles.
“It’s not something you usually get in your home stadium, but Phillies fans, they travel deep and they were here today,” he said. “I definitely heard them.”
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
Kosport Magazine commends Kimbrel for his composure and impressive performance under pressure. It’s always a tough situation when facing your former team, especially in front of a rowdy crowd, but Kimbrel handled it with grace and determination. His contributions were vital to the Orioles’ victory and proved that he is a valuable asset to the team. Let’s see if he can continue this momentum in future games.
