8:20pm: Ken Davidoff of the New York Post has confirmed Kirby is set to be hired.
8:05pm: Wayne Kirby appears to be joining the coaching staff of the Mets for 2022, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets that Kirby and Joey Cora are “likely” to be manning the first base and third base coaching boxes, respectively. (Cora’s hiring was reported yesterday.)
It was reported back in November that Kirby was in talks to join the Angels as a first base coach, though nothing official was ever announced. Today’s report from Rosenthal focuses on how the lockout is leaving Adam Eaton in a state of limbo that is preventing him from being hired to the coaching staff in Anaheim. At the end of the piece, Rosenthal mentions that the Angels didn’t finalize a deal with Kirby, who is “expected to reunite with Buck Showalter with the Mets.”
As noted by Rosenthal and Heyman, this would be a reunion for Showalter and Kirby, who were together with the Orioles from 2011 through 2018. The Orioles made the playoffs three times during the years Showalter and Kirby were on the staff together, but neither were brought back after a 115-loss 2018 campaign which kicked off the current O’s rebuild. Prior to coaching, Kirby, now 57, played parts of eight seasons with the Indians, Dodgers and Mets, stealing 44 bases in 1,325 career games.
Kirby didn’t coach during the 2019 season, but joined the Padres as part of Jayce Tingler’s staff for 2020 and 2021. In recent months, Tingler was fired, with Bob Melvin taking over as bench boss in San Diego. Melvin’s hiring was just the first of many changes, including David Macias taking over Kirby’s role as first base coach.
Showalter was announced as the new manager of the Mets just over two weeks ago. Things seemed to stay quiet over the holiday break, at least publicly, but the club has been busy lately, with the reports of Cora and Kirby emerging in recent days. More news figures to be on the horizon, as the club still needs a bench coach, hitting coach, bullpen coach and assistant coaches. Although the name of the next bench coach isn’t yet known, it was reported earlier today that it will be a “headline-grabbing hire.”
He definetly fits his name…
Both Kirby’s were so close to debuting the same year, too.
He looks like he’s pregnant. He might have preferred if they didn’t post the full belly shot.
Might have to add a few more pinstripes…
Waylon & Willie say:
Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Kirbys.
They’ll never stay home…
Not with Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s being open 24/7.
They smoked a bone on the roof of the White House with Jimmy Carters son.
Wouldnt be mlbtr without your daily mets briefing.
Wondering if the mets are hiring for bullpen catcher, ballgirl or pitcher?
Stop reading if you don’t like it
newsflash: there are 29 other mlb teams. try reporting on the other teams on occasion.
Who else is doing anything news worthy? Thought so
So why do you bring up how many bases he has stolen and nothing else? Hmmm?
If Wayne Kirby played the John Candy role in a baseball-themed remake of Stripes.
Tell us about your playing career, coach.
Well, I stole 44 bases…and a few dozen pizzas…har har har…
Uncle Kirby
38/50 93-95. Remember him well. Stacked lineup. Great team. Deep team. Once Bartolo came along circa 96/97 became pals. A few meals here and there couldn’t run anymore , was outta Mlb. Great guy. Everyone loves Kirby. Pass the ketchup.
GOAT
He’s the next best Kirby in MLB behind Kirby Snead! Yates is still King though.
George Kirby is waiting in the wings
Kirby Puckett is looking down, shaking his head in sorrow…
Kirby Puckett is not current MLB, otherwise you’d have quite an argument. I remembered George Kirby after posting this, so good on you Chipper. He should be overtaking Yates in short order.
After MLBTR is done announcing the coaching moves for MLB, I guess they go to administrative staff, then concession staff, then maintenance staff, then ticket sales staff, then scalpers, etc.
I personally can’t wait for the “Employee of the Month” announcements.
Can they get a new CBA done already!?!?
I bet Ozzie Guillen is their bench coach. He loves Joey Cora and wants to manage again. It would be a good gig for him to show he won’t be a distraction for the wrong reasons.
Great call!
Ozzie would be better off in the White Sox FO.
He’s the only guy employed by them since the turn of the centaury that had/has the ability to recognize winning players. He did everything he could to get guys with those attributes to the team.
That team is currently teetering and may well be at a tipping point resulting in their years-long rebuild imploding. The owner should hire Ozzie and listen to him. He’s the one guy associated with the franchise that can get them back on track.
Grats Mets Nation, you guys are getting a real one!! Gunna miss WK around these parts but we wish him all the best!
Kirby’s a very nice man. He often interacts with the fans (especially spring games in AZ) and is good for the game.
Jacobs Field grand opening was won on a Kirby oppo driving in Eddie Murray.Clev fans went nuts!
Now that the Orioles are loading up on Astros castoffs, let’s turn the Mets into the Orioles of a few years back. The possibilities are endless as there are dozens of former staffers who have been unemployed in MLB since their time in Baltimore.
This man can handle himself. Witnessed an inning-long-exchange between Kirby & a heckler in Dunedin a few years back – Kirby schooled the guy with ease. Well done, sir.
Looks like he could still play
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