Ball Fields of Tijuana to MLB All-Stars, Alejandro Kirk and Jonathan Aranda come full circle 20 years later.
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Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has been best friends with Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda for 20 years.
The two Tijuana natives began playing together when they were 4 years old, starting in Little League and travelling to national showcase games together before splitting off to sign with different franchises in the American League East.
Nestled in a hitters' meeting filled with iPads and advanced reports on July 6, Alejandro Kirk found out he was returning to the midsummer classic.
The catcher's teammates exploded in the room as manager John Schneider broke the news.
«I can't believe this,» Kirk said through Blue Jays interpreter Hector Lebron. «Thinking about two little kids that have known each other for such a long time, played little leagues together, signed pro, made it to the big leagues, and now going to an All-Star Game together. It's just unbelievable.»
Kirk and Aranda played together for 12 years and still meet each day in the offseason.
They work out at the same gym in Tijuana, run through drills on a field and their families unite for dinner at least once a week.
If needed, they find an excuse to throw a party. They're also the godfathers of each other's daughters.
«Above the baseball, that family connection was really what made this all happen,» Aranda said through interpreter Melissa Rodriguez Strozza. «So I know it's going to be special for the families to share in this moment together.»
The pair were always the best hitters on their team, but the showcase events featured more tailored competitions. They often earned medals. Aranda starred in the baserunning drills while Kirk kept to the home run derbies.
«Obviously, he was faster than I was,» Kirk said with a toothy smile.
In an era when top international prospects earn million-dollar bonuses, Aranda signed for $130,000, and Kirk received $30,000.
Neither jumped up prospect rankings until deep into their minor-league careers. Neither imagined they would one day be MLB All-Stars.
When Aranda found out he'd made the AL team, the Rays infielder shot Kirk an immediate text:
«We're going to share a field together.» It's normal, in a way - they played together every week for over a decade.
They run infield drills every winter. But they never dreamed of sharing a clubhouse during the Midsummer Classic.
«I think when we were little,» Aranda said. «I don't think that we could have imagined this. I don't know that we did.»
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 15 | 153 ANSWERS Ball Fields of Tijuana to MLB All-Stars, Alejandro Kirk and Jonathan Aranda come full circle 20 years later. Who would you rather have as your catcher Alejandro Kirk or Cal Raleigh? | ||
| Alejandro Kirk | 104 | 68 % |
| Cal Raleigh | 49 | 32 % |
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