Now, you know folks, if you ever watched a game where Craig Kimbrel’s pitchin’, you can’t help but notice how he stands before throwin’ that ball. It’s somethin’ real special, ain’t it? They call it “Kimbreling,” and if you ask me, it’s like watchin’ someone get ready to wrestle a wild boar. Real fierce. Kimbrel does this little jig where he stands all funny with his right foot out front and left foot back, and his hands all perched on his hips like he’s gettin’ ready to take on the world. Ain’t nobody else quite like him on the mound, no sir.
Now, I know some folks might be scratchin’ their heads wonderin’ why he does it that way, and I’ll tell ya. It ain’t just for show. See, this here stance came about when Kimbrel was just startin’ out, back when he had himself a nasty case of bicep tendinitis. Poor fella, it was tough for him to throw like everyone else. So, to ease that pain, he started raisin’ that arm of his up high, like he’s tryin’ to shake a tree full of apples. It helped him throw better, you see, and that’s how the Kimbrel Strut was born.
When he gets on that mound, it’s like he’s takin’ a moment to collect himself. He bends down a bit, sorta like he’s lookin’ over his shoulder at someone, and makes sure he’s got a good grip on that ball. Then he stands up tall, looks all focused, and wham! That ball’s flyin’ faster than a chicken on a hot stove. It’s just part of his rhythm now. Been doin’ it for years, and folks all around know when they see that stance, it’s game time.
But now, don’t think it’s all just about lookin’ cool on the mound. The Kimbrel Strut serves a real purpose. Kimbrel’s been pitchin’ for over a decade now, and that ol’ routine keeps him calm and ready to strike fear into those batters. He ain’t just messin’ around, ya know? He’s built up quite the reputation with that stance, and folks from all over the country come to watch him pitch. It’s like a little dance before a big performance, only the performance is pitchin’ that ball faster than you can blink.
Other pitchers? Well, they stand differently. Most of ‘em keep their arm behind their back, but not Craig. He’s got his hands on his hips, sittin’ proud. That stance ain’t just somethin’ he does for looks—oh no, it’s all about makin’ sure he’s steady and strong before each pitch. That’s how he’s been able to stick around for so many years, throwin’ save after save, closin’ out game after game. Some even say it’s part of what makes him so dang good at what he does.
As the seasons go by, this Kimbrel Strut gets more and more famous. You can’t think of Craig Kimbrel without thinkin’ about that stance. And you know what? It don’t matter if he’s playin’ with the Cubs, the Red Sox, or any other team—everybody recognizes that stance when they see it. It’s just part of who he is now, like how a rooster crows at the break of dawn. It’s all part of the routine.
Now, I don’t know much about all them fancy stats and stuff, but I do know this: that man’s got a way of standin’ on that mound that makes everyone sit up and pay attention. Whether he’s closin’ out a game, or just gettin’ ready to pitch, that stance means business. And if you’re ever lucky enough to see it live, well, you’ll know you’re watchin’ somethin’ special.
So next time you see Kimbrel out there on the mound, watch for that little strut of his. You might just learn a thing or two about how to stand tall and get things done, just like him.
Tags:[Craig Kimbrel, Baseball, Kimbrel Stance, MLB Pitching, Baseball Stance, Kimbrel Strut, MLB Players]