A's Blackburn says Blue Jays' Kirk called for grooving fastballs to Pujols in All-Star Game

National League first baseman Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

A's Paul Blackburn says Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk called for grooving fastballs to Albert Pujols in All-Star Game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 7/21/22

One pitcher apparently tried to extend Albert Pujols’ Home Run Derby to the next day.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn seemed to reveal to the media on Thursday that he intentionally grooved fastballs to Pujols during the MLB All-Star Game. Blackburn said he noticed while on the mound that catcher Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays (his battery mate for the day) was calling for nothing but inside fastballs with Pujols at the plate. Blackburn added that he went along with it, per Athletics announcer Vince Cotroneo.

The St. Louis Cardinals veteran Pujols, playing in his final season and his final All-Star Game, faced Blackburn in the bottom of the fourth inning. Pujols did get a good pitch to hit on a 2-2 count, lifting one deep into left field that was caught for an out just shy of the warning track. It ended up being Pujols’ only at-bat of the game.

Even during the All-Star Game, grooving pitches (or at least speaking openly about doing so) is a controversial topic, seen by some purists as the breaking of an unwritten rule. Several years ago, another pitcher admitted to similarly grooving fastballs for a legend at the All-Star Game and got backlash for it.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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