A TSN radio host deleted his Twitter account after retrieving video showing Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk sprinting from first to home plate, “embarrassing for the sport.”
In a now-deleted tweet, screenshots of which continue to circulate on the site, Weekend Game Plan host at TSN 690 in Montreal, Matthew Ross, had responded to a video shared by the Blue Jays. official twitter account on Tuesday. Bell Media is the parent company of TSN and CTV News.
The Jays played the second game of a double-header against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
Kirk would score from first base with a double from teammate Teoscar Hernandez in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Jays would go on to win 7-2.
Ross responded to the video by saying: “It’s cute and all, but it’s also embarrassing for the sport. Giving guys such prominence feeds negative stereotypes.”
The controversial statement erupted after Alek Manoah, the Jays’ pitcher in that game, came to Kirk’s defense. also writes on Twitter: “What’s really embarrassing for the sport is people who go by the name Matthew and have never played a day in the big leagues because they think they can control the narrative and stereotypes. Tell this 8-year-old who is 10 pounds overweight to stop now. Or… just step away from the keyboard and let KIRK inspire these kids to keep pursuing their dreams and chasing greatness.
In response to Manoah, Ross said, “You’re too narrow-minded to see that I’m defending baseball. Ratings, visitor numbers and interest in younger demographics are declining. And the image of the athletes and who is being marketed to the masses is important.”
He would add, “Imagine how much better he would be if he were in better shape.”
manoah answered: “So now you’re saying attendance has gone down because there are too many big boys playing this sport? Then let me ask you why did he get millions of votes to start the all star game? And what’s tight is your nose, you should probably fix that. Their ratings have gone down because of it.”
Ross’ Twitter account remained deleted as of Friday afternoon.
Kirk has had a career season with the Jays this year since his major league debut in 2020.
As of the Jays’ final game on Thursday, the 23-year-old from Tijuana, Mexico, was a season-high in MLB with 56 carries, 125 hits, 19 doubles, 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Fans voted Kirk and Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. into the American League starting lineup for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, a first for the catcher.
At the time, Kirk was leading all qualified catchers with a .310 batting average.