New York Yankees fans being won over by Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s honesty about losing starting shortstop job this year: "Just wants to help the team win"
After endless months of wanting him gone, New York Yankees fans are being won over by utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
One of the members of the Yankees' "Mount Hatemore" for most of his time in pinstripes, New Yorkers are starting to figure out that they have a gamer in the sixth-year MLB veteran.
"I don't think my numbers last year were good enough to hold the spot. It is what it is. I didn't do good enough last year. I was given another opportunity to be here, so I'm just trying to do everything I can to show what I can do and prove why I'm here."
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa https://t.co/T1hKrOkyfj
Isiah Kiner-Falefa started 138 games at shortstop for the New York Yankees in 2022. He batted .261 with 22 stolen bases, and managed to hit even better — .278 — in last year's playoffs. Not bad for a one-time Gold Glove defense-first middle infielder.
And yet, Yankee Nation loved to loathe him. New Yorkers were more interested in Kiner-Falefa being moved out of town rather than moved to the outfield this spring as rookie Anthony Volpe debuted with the promise of being the second-coming of Derek Jeter.
After Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, he was asked by reporters about losing his starting role and becoming a jack of all trades for the Yankees this season. He responded:
"I don't think my numbers last year were good enough to hold the spot. It is what it is. I didn't do good enough last year. I was given another opportunity to be here, so I'm just trying to do everything I can to show what I can do and prove why I'm here."
And suddenly, the hate of a fan base turns into devoted love.
@snyyankees I respect him so much. Plus, watching him play this year has been fun
@snyyankees ikf is honestly one of the most respectable players right now. doesn’t care about what his role is, just wants to help the team win however he can.
@snyyankees There’s one thing I’ll never say about IKF. I’ll never say that IKF hasn’t put forth the effort and tried. Man tries everything he can and takes accountability 100% of the time.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa came to the New York Yankees from the Minnesota Twins in the Josh Donaldson trade last March. After four decent years with the Texas Rangers (he never played for the Twins), he took over as New York's primary shortstop last season.
Perhaps because he was just another man that wasn't the next Jeter, he never lived up to even the low expectations that Yankees fans had for him. He began this spring part of Yankee Nation's triumvirate of hate along with Aaron Hicks and Donaldson.
These days, Hicks is gone and Donaldson hasn't been seen in over a month due to injury. And now, apparently, Kiner-Falefa is just the kind of player New York needs.
@snyyankees Really great answer from IKF. Admits he wasn’t good enough last year but now he’s put in the work in the outfield to be stable enough for them to DFA Hicks
@snyyankees Great answer. This dude give 100% effort all the time no matter the spot he’s put it. Just a gamer.
@snyyankees great role for him, he was put in a tough spot last year
Quite a few New York Yankees fans out there scrubbing their social media of any previous Isiah Kiner-Falefa mentions.
@snyyankees The kind of players u want in a clubhouse
@snyyankees I like IKF more and more each day.
@snyyankees I like him tbh he doesn’t deserve the hate he gets. He tries hard.
Kiner-Falefa is still hitting a career-low .211, so we'll see how long the Yankee love lasts.
@snyyankees Love it. Love seeing him succeed
New York Yankees fans hearts have thawed for Isiah Kiner-Falefa — for now
Yankees fans either love or hate their players with immense passion. Kiner-Falefa is on the verge of becoming one of the few to break out of the hate category.