New York Mets rookie Jefry Yan made an unforgettable Major League debut during the team’s 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. The 29-year-old left-handed reliever stepped onto the mound and immediately made his mark.
Facing pinch-hitter Angel Martinez in the sixth inning, Yan caught him looking with an 88.7 mph slider for his first MLB strikeout. Reflecting on the moment, “Honestly, I was really excited. I was also a little nervous,” Yan said through a translator.
The signature celebration
Right after the third strike was called, Yan launched into a high-flying celebration, leaping into the air, landing on the mound, slapping the grass and lifting both arms up.
“Once I had him with two strikes I said, you know what, I’m going to throw that slider,” he said. “And if I freeze him which is exactly what I did, I celebrated accordingly.”
Escaping the bases-loaded Jam
The Guardians soon loaded the bases with two singles and a walk but Yan quickly shutdown the threat with another strikeout and an inning-ending groundout.
“Once I was able to get out of the inning, I said, you know, I can finally breathe right here,” he said. Mets manager Andy Green praised his effort, stating, “It’s real stuff. It’s really impressive. To get out of a bases-loaded jam, get your first punchout, just excited for him.”
Embracing the crowd’s reaction
As Yan walked off to the dugout, Cleveland fans booed but the rookie remained unfazed. “If they want to yell at me, if they want to boo me, they can do whatever they want,” Yan said. “I’m in my zone. And Yeah, I’m going to enjoy my game any way that I want to.”
