Kevin Kiermaier's hug to carry Mallex Smith over the dugout fence represented ultimate #squadgoals
By
Andrew Mearns
High-fives have proven to be a perfectly fine way to celebrate. Elaborate handshakes are pretty good too. That being said, nothing quite compares to a big ol' bear hug -- especially if it involves some carrying, too. Kevin Kiermaier demonstrated this during the Rays' 11-3 victory on Friday against the Blue Jays. In the top of the sixth, Austin Meadows pinch-hit for Ji-Man Choi with the bases loaded in a 4-3 game and smacked a single to right for his first hit in a Tampa Bay uniform. C.J. Cron scored, and Mallex Smith zoomed in behind him to increase the lead to 6-3. Smith's momentum carried him all the way to the edge of the Rays' dugout ... where Kiermaier was waiting for him with a huge hug:
That's some serious strength on Kiermaier's end, but also some serious affection too. That's what being a teammate is all about, and the Rays know it -- just ask teammate Daniel Robertson, who has also been on the receiving end of a big Kiermaier hug:
On second thought, it looks like those Kiermaier hugs are so strong, they hurt. At least we know he can rub Smith's shoulders in case they're sore afterward.
