San Diego Padres fans cried foul Saturday as a pitcher other than Kirby Yates was named the 2019 National League Reliever of the Year.
As the award is named after the Padres’ former closer Trevor Hoffman, who presented it on the field at the World Series, it would have been a special moment for fans to see the Hall of Famer hand the trophy to another Padre.
However, he gave it to Milwaukee Brewer Josh Hader. Hader received the award for the second consecutive year.
Fans vented on social media.
Wait – you spelled Kirby Yates wrong? #Padres @KauaiKirby39 https://t.co/7Hc72Xt34n
— Andy McHargue (@colts1090) October 26, 2019
In 60 games, Yates posted a 1.19 ERA while saving 41 games and striking out 101. He did this while playing for an also-ran that stumbled badly post All-Star break, a factor some fans feared counted against him.
How is Kirby Yates not the NL pick? My @Padres get no love, man. He was the MLB saves leader. https://t.co/UlxT7M5IcW
— Brian LeTendre (@SeeBrianWrite) October 26, 2019
Yet Yates’s season has not gone unnoticed. He received Baseball Digest’s Relief Pitcher of the Year Award earlier this month.
The World Series continues in Washington D.C. Sunday after the Houston Astros drew even with the Washington Nationals 2-2 Saturday. That ensures a return to Houston and a second series appearance for San Diego State alum and Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg.
Kirby Yates or Will Smith should have won in the NL. Anyone but Chapman or Osuna should have won in the AL. (Pagan, Greene, Hendricks, anyone) https://t.co/Py1jp6RjBw
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 26, 2019
– Staff reports