Kyle Schwarber is one of those baseball players who fans — regardless of their favorite team — have trouble rooting against. He just exudes a likable energy when he’s out there on the field.
That doesn’t change during the postseason either.
In the third inning of Sunday’s American League Division Series Game 3 between the Red Sox and Rays, Schwarber botched a routine toss to the pitcher at first after fielding a ground ball. It was a play that gets practiced frequently during spring training, but there was clearly some rust seven months later. The underhanded toss wasn’t anywhere close, and Schwarber knew he messed up immediately.
E3 • Kyle Schwarber pic.twitter.com/UIiGKk5UN9
— MLB Errors (@mlberrors) October 10, 2021
But it was how Schwarber responded that had the Fenway Park faithful giving him a standing ovation.
Here's the video
The next inning, Schwarber had another chance at virtually the same play: grounder to first, toss to the pitcher. And this time, he executed it to perfection.
But look at his reaction:
After the error last inning, Kyle Schwarber celebrates making the routine 3-1 putout and takes off his cap lol pic.twitter.com/YAk21rl1su
— MLB Errors (@mlberrors) October 10, 2021
Schwarber fielded the grounder with the backhand and made a perfect toss to Nathan Eovaldi for the out. With the earlier error fresh on his mind, Schwarber raised his arms in celebration, unleashed a fist pump and tipped his cap to the crowd.
He celebrated a routine play like it was a game-winner, and frankly, the fans at Fenway loved it. So did the fans watching at home.
This was how Twitter reacted
Kyle Schwarber gets it done this time
😂😂😂
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 10, 2021
Are people happy about having Kyle Schwarber on the Boston Red Sox yet? pic.twitter.com/Smidm8CVHD
— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) October 10, 2021
It is impossible to dislike Kyle Schwarber. pic.twitter.com/F1IpTyONaF
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) October 10, 2021
I want Kyle Schwarber in Boston forever. That celebration for a successful underhand toss was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen during a game.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) October 10, 2021
Kyle Schwarber. What a fit in Boston. So funny. pic.twitter.com/O4HO8F2G79
— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) October 10, 2021
Kyle Schwarber knows you have to celebrate the exceptional moments in this game. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/DbJy5mfgnt
— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) October 10, 2021
Schwarber is a hoot. Made a clean feed to Eovaldi and raised his arms in truimph, pumped his fist and tipped his cap.
Fenway loved it. That was fun. Good for him.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) October 10, 2021
I love Kyle Schwarber pic.twitter.com/Nrvu098NRR
— Bo Tilly 🇰🇷✌🏽 (@BoTilly) October 10, 2021
Kyle Schwarber is national treasure.
Makes a brutal underhand toss early in the game 8 feet over his pitchers head, but the delivers a perfect toss to first in the top of the fourth.
Pumps his fist, and then takes his cap off to wave to the home crowd.
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) October 10, 2021
That’s the kind of response that keeps an entire clubhouse loose. You love to see it.
