Well, let me tell ya, this Craig Kimbrel fella, he sure does have a pitching stance that gets folks talking. Y’know, most pitchers, they stand all proper-like, with their arms behind their backs, lookin’ like they mean business. But not Kimbrel. No, sir. This guy’s got a whole different way of standin’, and folks, they call it “the Kimbrel Strut.” Ain’t that somethin’?
Now, if you ever watched him pitch, you’ll notice he stands real funny. His hands go up on his hips, and his right foot is all the way up front while his left foot stays back, kinda like he’s ready to make a move. I reckon it’s like a fighter gettin’ ready to box. Ain’t nobody else standin’ like that on the mound, so you can’t miss it.
Why does he stand like this, though? Well, turns out, it ain’t always been like that. Kimbrel, back in the day, used to stand regular, with his arm behind his back just like every other pitcher. But a few years ago, he started havin’ some trouble with his arm. The poor fella had biceps tendinitis. That pain sure can make it hard to do things the same ol’ way. So, he figured he needed a change. That’s when he started holdin’ his arm out to the side, and, over time, his stance just sorta grew into what it is today.
Now, let me tell ya, it’s more than just a way to stand. It’s a whole part of his pitching style. That stance is part of the reason he’s been so good at what he does. People in the stands, they don’t just talk about his pitching—no, they talk about how he looks on that mound, all unique-like. It’s become a signature for him. When folks see that stance, they know exactly who it is without even needin’ to check the jersey.
What’s the big deal with this stance? Well, it’s like this: when you pitch, you gotta have confidence, and Kimbrel, with his quirky stance, sure does exude that. He’s been known for his big saves and his cool head under pressure. You see, when you’ve been around the league as long as Kimbrel has, you learn to make your own mark. And that stance? It’s all part of how he stands out. The man’s got style, there’s no doubt about it.
But don’t go thinkin’ that this is just a fancy way of standin’. Kimbrel’s done some serious work to get that arm of his into a position where it don’t hurt no more. You see, it’s not just about lookin’ different. It’s about comfort and makin’ sure that arm can do its job. He’s been pitchin’ in the big leagues since 2010, and that’s a long time to keep your body in tip-top shape. It ain’t easy, I’ll tell ya that.
What happened to Kimbrel recently? Well, I hate to say it, but things ain’t lookin’ too good for Kimbrel right now. The Baltimore Orioles, they decided to cut ties with him just before the 2024 MLB playoffs. They didn’t keep him on the roster, and that’s a tough blow for a guy who’s been an All-Star closer multiple times. It’s a shame, but that’s the way the game goes. The Orioles had hopes for Kimbrel as a stopgap closer for their other fella, Félix Bautista, who’s out for the season after a big ol’ surgery. For a while, Kimbrel did his job, but it looks like his time with the Orioles has come to an end.
Is this the end for Kimbrel? Well, nobody knows for sure. Maybe Kimbrel’s got a few more good years left in him, or maybe he’ll hang up the cleats. Either way, his stance will always be remembered. That “Kimbrel Strut” has become a symbol of his career, and whether he’s pitchin’ or not, folks will be talkin’ about how he stood out on that mound.
So, next time you watch a game, keep an eye out for Kimbrel. Even if he ain’t pitchin’ for the Orioles anymore, you can bet he’ll always be remembered for that stance that made him so unique. And hey, who knows? Maybe he’ll find a new team and show ‘em all how it’s done.
Tags：[Craig Kimbrel, Kimbrel Strut, baseball pitching stance, MLB, pitching style, Craig Kimbrel history, Orioles, MLB playoffs, closer pitcher]
