What to know
- Alejandro Kirk surprised Toronto Blue Jays fans Saturday by stealing second base in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners, earning a standing ovation at Rogers Centre.
- It was Kirk’s first stolen base of the 2026 season and just the second of his MLB career, with his first coming just over a year earlier against the Texas Rangers.
- Kirk also contributed at the plate with an RBI single that helped the Jays overcome a 3-0 deficit and beat the Mariners 4-3. His unexpected speed became one of the biggest talking points of the game.
- Fans and MLB announcers were stunned by the rare sight, with social media users praising Kirk’s hustle and joking about his surprising burst of speed. The Jays faced the Mariners again Sunday in the series finale.
Toronto Blue Jays fans were on their feet in the grandstands on Saturday for something one catcher did that they’re not exactly known for.
Alejandro Kirk wowed the weekend crowd after he stole second base in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners.
It was Kirk’s first stolen base of the 2026 season, and the second one of his MLB career.
Fans at the Rogers Centre rose for a standing ovation following the surprising swipe.
Kirk tends to have more luck behind the plate as a catcher than for his runs between bases. However, he still decided to take off for second while the ball was live.
And while the Jays’ first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr didn’t make the hit when he was at the plate, the short few seconds the ball was airborne allowed Kirk to make the surprising, yet successful play.
The move brought the Toronto crowd to their feet and baffled MLB announcers.
“What in the world?” one of them said.
Earlier in the game, Kirk had already made a hit at the plate, which sent the ball into right field and brought a teammate home to score. His impact helped the Blue Jays make a comeback from a 3-0 deficit, ultimately beating the Mariners 4-3.
Kirk’s first and formerly only stolen base in his career happened almost exactly a year earlier, when he took one against the Texas Rangers on Aug. 15, 2025. That feat had Vladimir Guerrero Jr. notably present Kirk with the actual second-base bag after the game.
‘Dude can actually move’ Fans bring their surprise online
The seemingly once-in-a-season play for Kirk also surprised audiences watching from home, with many noting how he brought the momentum to help his team turn the game around.
“Helped start the comeback. Kirk was gone like the wind,” one X user said.
“Almost like he was attached to an invisible parachute,” another wrote.
Many fans noted Kirk’s speed and dedication to the game.
“Seeing Kirk run is way too hype! No wonder this got a standing ovation, totally get it,” one fan wrote on X.
“This guy… no matter how slow, he hustles his a** off every single game,” another X user said.
The uncommon sight has fans excited. Kirk’s steal was the talk of the game.
“Stealing a base out of nowhere and getting a standing ovation is just too hilarious lol,” one X user noted. “Getting to see such a rare moment is the best ⚾️”
“Both me and the fans look so happy, it’s just way too awesome lol,” another said.
The steal and hype from Saturday’s game had fans more hopeful for future games and possible access to the World Series.
“Oh, we coming for that wild card!! Let’s go Blue Jays!” one fan on Instagram wrote following the steal.
“20/20 season incoming,” another fan said about Kirk’s performance.
“I think we needed this game for more than just the win!” an Instagram user said.
With Kirk’s momentum, both the Blue Jays and their fans hope they can carry this success into their future games.
The Jays play their third and final game against the Mariners on Sunday, with first pitch around 1:37 p.m.
