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Kiger is a crazy hybrid sterotype. He's Jeter 'n' Rose all in one.
This profile has it all, except some references to Bedhead Barbie.
Mr. Clutch: Kiger delivers big plays for B-Mets
By Brian Moritz
Press & Sun-Bulletin
BINGHAMTON -- It happened again Sunday.
The Binghamton Mets erased a two-run deficit to the Connecticut Defenders, scoring four runs in the eighth inning.
The key hit was a two-run go-ahead triple by Mark Kiger.
It seems like it has been that way all season. When there's a big play involving the B-Mets, whether it's in the field or at the plate, chances are Kiger has been involved.
"It's just the game," Kiger said. "If you're prepared, if you're able to kind of foreshadow and see what could happen, the game just shows up."
Today, Kiger is one of four B-Mets playing on the Eastern League Northern Division's All-Star team, along with Caleb Stewart, Brett Harper and Kevin Mulvey. The game is set to start at 7:30 tonight at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Conn.
Other players have better numbers than Kiger. Other players are considered higher profile prospects. But nobody has made more big plays for the B-Mets this season than the 26-year-old third baseman, including when he started a triple play against Connecticut on May 23.
Kiger has four game-winning hits on the season, including a pair of game-winning home runs. In a remarkable show of his consistency, he has reached base in all but five of the games in which he has recorded a plate appearance.
"He's the one guy, and we all had that one guy on our team in high school or college who everyday, his uniform got dirty and he will do anything to win," said Tim McNab, who spent the first two months of the season with the B-Mets before being promoted to Triple-A New Orleans. "He'll walk through a wall for the team."
Kiger's no stranger to the big stage. Last season, Kiger became the first player in the game's modern era to make his major league debut in postseason.
Kiger has been one of the B-Mets most valuable players over the season's first half. It's not just his .308 batting average that's among the team's best. It's not just the seven home runs and 35 RBI.
"His value is what he brings to the entire team as a leader -- he's like an extra coach," B-Mets manager Mako Oliveras said. "The way he gives himself to the game is so big. You get to the point where the ball is hit to third, you're expecting Kiger to make a play. He finds a way to get in the middle of it."
Kiger traces his ability to make big plays at big times to his big-time baseball pedigree.
He played three seasons at the University of Florida and spent his first five years as a pro in Oakland's system. After hitting .280 last season (including .307 at Double-A), he went home to San Diego and started working with a travel team of 14-year-olds. After the first practice, he got a call. Mark Ellis had broken his finger, and the A's were calling him up to fill out their roster.
Kiger made his big-league debut on Oct. 13 as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against Detroit. He also played in Game 4 as a defensive replacement and was on the field when Magglio Ordonez hit a three-run, game-winning home run for the Tigers.
He's the first player to make his big league debut in the playoffs since Bug Holliday did it in 1885 for Cincinnati.
"I think once you're put in that situation, everything else is easy," Kiger said. "After you're up there at a time when it's win or go home and playing in front of 65,000 people, playing in Binghamton is not too stressful."
Kiger signed with the Mets as a free agent in the offseason, figuring a National League team would be a better fit for his utility player skills.
He's been a perfect fit for the B-Mets. He's a voice of experience on a young team.
"Before I talk to the team, I ask for his input," Oliveras said. "The way he talks and the way the other players react around him, I know they're listening."
Plus, Kiger has been that guy. The one who always makes the right play at the right time.
"He's been very clutch," second baseman J.E. Cruz said. "When the time comes, he's the one you want at the plate."
Take the triple play. Remember the situation -- bases full of Connecticut Defenders, nobody out in a 0-0 game. Steve Holm bounces a ground ball to Kiger at third.
Almost every time the third baseman would throw home for the force out, preventing the run and starting a potential double play. Kiger admitted that's not the typical play. But this ball was hit to his left, right in front of the bag, giving him a chance. He quickly stepped on third and threw to second to start the triple play, with Wilson Batista making a spectacular relay throw to first to complete it.
"If you're unprepared, things don't happen that are good," Kiger said. "If you're prepared, good things happen. If you're mentally strong, you'll be in situations where you can produce and know you've been there before and done it, and you continue to do it."
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