Getty Image / Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/iStockphoto/Ganna Bozhko
New York Mets reliever Jefry Yan dancing in front of a disco ball
The New York Mets finally introduced Jefry Yan to Major League Baseball on Wednesday, and the 29-year-old rookie treated his debut like a one-man nightclub with a radar gun. He hit 101.1 mph, escaped a bases-loaded mess of his own creation and celebrated three outs with enough choreography to qualify for a backup-dance union card.
The Yan experience lasted one scoreless inning during New York’s 6-5, 10-inning win over Cleveland. That was apparently plenty of time for him to throw the eight fastest pitches by any Met this season, draw boos from a crowd of 29,033 and become the most entertaining person in Ohio.
Jefry Yan Brought His Entire Celebration Package To MLB
Yan froze Angel Martinez with an 88.7 mph slider for his first major-league strikeout, then immediately launched himself into the air, spread his legs, landed near the front of the mound and slapped the grass.
Most rookies record their first strikeout, ask for the baseball and quietly attempt to remain employed. Yan looked like he had just won Game 7, hit the Powerball and remembered there were mozzarella sticks waiting in the clubhouse.
The inning then became considerably less fun. Yan surrendered two singles and a walk to load the bases with one out, which was a bold decision for a pitcher making his debut on the road.
He responded by getting Chase Delauter on a check-swing strikeout that also got Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt ejected. Yan followed by inducing a forceout from Jo Adell, stranding all three runners and unleashing another celebration featuring a jump, glove slap, several screams and a kiss toward the sky.
Cleveland fans booed him into the dugout. Yan was unmoved.
“They can do whatever they want,” Yan said. “I’m in my zone, and I’m going to enjoy my game.
That is exactly the correct attitude after surviving a jam you personally survived. You gotta love it.
The Celebration Is Great, But The Fastball Is Very Real.
Yan’s routine was not invented for television. He became known for the leaping, near-split celebrations in the minors and Dominican Winter League, and he promised before his promotion that reaching MLB would not turn him into a corporate-retreat version of himself.
The performance also made it clear he is more than a novelty act.
Yan threw five pitches at least 100 mph and topped out at 101.1. His eight fastest offerings were the eight fastest pitches thrown by the Mets this season. That is a strong opening argument for keeping the dancing left-hander around.
His path makes the moment even better.
Yan signed with the Angels as a teenager and underwent Tommy John surgery after injuring his elbow at 19. He spent more than four years outside affiliated baseball, worked as a roofer, pitched in men’s leagues and eventually rebuilt his career through the Marlins’ system, Japan, the Rockies and the Mets.
Before his call-up, Yan recorded a 3.24 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He did not reach the majors because somebody thought the celebrations would perform well on TikTok. The man can pitch.
New York eventually won when Bo Bichette delivered the go-ahead single in the 10th and Daniel Duarte earned his first save. Yan did not get the decision, but he unquestionably won the evening.
After 12 years, one rebuilt elbow and a career that briefly involved actual roofing, Yan finally reached baseball’s highest level.
Then he tried to dance a hole through the mound.