Inside The Mariners

Seattle Mariners' George Kirby Enjoying Homecoming in Series with Yankees

The M's All-Star grew up just 30 minutes from Yankee Stadium and he discussed his excited homecoming before Tuesday's contest with Mariners on SI:
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) reacts following an out against the Kansas City Royals to end the top of the first inning at T-Mobile Park on June 30.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) reacts following an out against the Kansas City Royals to end the top of the first inning at T-Mobile Park on June 30. | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

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NEW YORK - Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby isn't slated to pitch in this series with the New York Yankees, but he's still very much enjoying his trip to the Bronx, as it's just a half hour or so from where he grew up in Rye, N.Y.

Speaking with Mariners on SI before Tuesday's series opener, Kirby said the available down time is actually welcome, as it allows him more opportunity to see his family, and he said he plans to see them during Thursday's off-day before the team heads to Detroit for a series with the Tigers.

Additionally, Kirby spoke with us about what kind of pitcher he was like at Rye High School, and he reflected on the players that he grew up playing against in the area. He also talked about giving back to his high school program, which he did this past season:

Yeah, I ​always ​stay ​in ​touch ​with ​(head coach Mike) Bruno ​and ​Charney, ​when ​he ​was ​there. ​He's ​somewhere ​else ​now, ​but, ​it ​means ​a ​lot that I was able. ​Nike ​was ​kind ​enough ​to ​give ​me an ​account ​where ​I ​could ​give ​back ​and ​do ​all ​that ​stuff. ​So, ​I ​thought ​it ​was ​well ​overdue ​that ​I ​did ​that. ​And ​just ​to ​see ​the ​smile ​you ​put ​on ​the ​kids ​faces ​and ​stuff ​like ​that. ​There's ​like ​10 ​or ​12 ​of ​them ​coming ​tonight ​or ​tomorrow ​just ​to ​say ​hi ​or ​whatever, to ​thank ​me ​for ​it. ​So ​it's ​just ​cool ​to ​see. ​It's ​cool ​to ​give ​back.

You can hear our full interview with Kirby on Thursday's special edition of the Refuse to Lose podcast, and we'll have a special interview with Coach Bruno as well.

An All-Star in 2023, Kirby is 3-4 with a 4.22 ERA. He missed nearly two months with a shoulder injury.

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