Jefry Yan is quickly discovering that in Major League Baseball, it is wise to make sure the umpire agrees before celebrating a strikeout. The 30-year-old New York Mets reliever learned that lesson the hard way for the second time in less than a week.
Yan once again jumped into his trademark celebration before confirming that his pitch had actually been called a strike. This time, the mistake came during a dramatic ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox, and the Mets eventually suffered a painful 6-4 loss in front of 31,599 fans at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Mets interim manager Andy Green said Yan’s enthusiasm simply got the better of him.
“Jefry will learn not to jump before the play is over,” Green said, per SNY Mets on X. “That’s something he’s still working through. I think the emotions of the moment got him there. Then settled in nicely.”
For Yan, it was another reminder that MLB games are not finished until the umpire says they are.
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Yan’s Celebration Causes Trouble Again
Yan has developed one of the more unusual strikeout celebrations in baseball. After believing he has recorded a punchout, the right-hander often jumps into the air and kicks his legs upward.
It is entertaining when the strikeout is official. It becomes considerably less fun when the pitch is ruled a ball.
That happened last Saturday against the Washington Nationals. Yan celebrated after a pitch to Nasim Nunez that he believed was strike three. He even questioned the call, only for a review to confirm that the pitch had missed the strike zone.
Yan eventually regained his focus and recorded the strikeout later.
Against Chicago, however, the consequences were much more painful.
Ninth-Inning Drama Turns Into a Walk-Off Loss
The Mets sent Yan to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 4-4. With Colson Montgomery batting and the count at 1-2, Yan threw a slider just below the strike zone.
Believing he had finally secured the third strike, Yan immediately launched into his celebration.
Unfortunately for him, home-plate umpire Ramon De Jesus had other plans.
The pitch was called a ball.
Yan then threw two more balls and eventually walked Montgomery, turning what looked like a potential strikeout into a baserunner with the game hanging in the balance.
He did settle down and quickly retired the next two hitters. But Jake Rogers was waiting at the end of the inning.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, Rogers crushed Yan’s 98-mph four-seam fastball 401 feet to center field for a walk-off home run. Montgomery scored the winning run, sending the White Sox into celebration and leaving the Mets searching for answers.
It was also the first home run Yan had allowed during his seven-game MLB career.
Green Wants Yan to Keep the Energy — Just Wait
Despite the repeated mistake, Green does not appear interested in taking away Yan’s personality.
Instead, the Mets want their young reliever to learn when to turn the enthusiasm on and when to keep it in the toolbox.
“His rookie year, learning, growing through it, brings a lot of enthusiasm,” Green said. “Certainly, we’ve encouraged him very strongly to wait till the play is over before that.”
That is probably fair advice. There is nothing wrong with showing emotion in baseball. The trick is making sure the baseball has finished its sentence before you start celebrating.
Yan has spent more than a decade working through the minor leagues, making his arrival in New York a significant moment in his career. The Mets recalled him from Triple-A Syracuse on August 4 after he posted a 2.40 ERA across 14 appearances.
His big-league numbers before Friday’s game showed plenty of promise. Through 6.1 innings, he had allowed three runs on six hits while recording seven strikeouts.
Yan Promises the Celebration Won’t Happen Again
After the latest incident, Yan acknowledged that the moment became a learning experience.
Speaking through an interpreter after the game, he said the focus has to remain on executing pitches before thinking about celebrating.
“You can’t go out there and lose the goal, which is to execute the pitches,” Yan said postgame, per Underdog MLB.
Yan added that he believes the mistake will not happen again and stressed that celebrations should come only after the job is completed.
That mindset will be important as the Mets continue evaluating what they have in their bullpen.
Yan Wasn’t the Only Reason the Mets Lost
While Yan gave up the walk-off homer, blaming the entire loss on the rookie reliever would be unfair.
The Mets entered the later stages of the game holding a 4-0 advantage before the White Sox erupted in the sixth inning.
Sean Manaea surrendered three consecutive home runs to Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk and Montgomery, allowing Chicago to erase the four-run deficit and pull level at 4-4.
That comeback ultimately set the stage for Rogers’ ninth-inning heroics.
Yan’s premature celebration certainly provided an awkward subplot, but the Mets’ bigger concern is how a comfortable lead disappeared in the first place.
Jefry Yan has already provided Mets fans with plenty of personality, but his latest celebration is a lesson the hard way: wait for the call before jumping for joy.
The 30-year-old reliever remains a promising young arm who is still adjusting to the speed, pressure and unpredictability of MLB competition. His aggressive energy can be an asset, provided he learns to channel it at the right moment.
The Mets will hope Friday’s loss becomes a valuable learning experience rather than the beginning of a recurring blooper reel. For Yan, the message from his manager is simple — make the pitch first, check the umpire second, and then feel free to fly.
FAQ:
Who is Jefry Yan?
Jefry Yan is a 30-year-old relief pitcher for the New York Mets who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on August 4.
Why did Jefry Yan’s celebration become a problem?
Yan celebrated what he thought was a strikeout before the umpire confirmed the call. The pitch was ruled a ball, forcing him to continue the at-bat.
Did Jefry Yan make the same mistake before?
Yes. Yan had a similar premature celebration against the Washington Nationals less than a week earlier.
What happened after Yan’s premature celebration against the White Sox?
Yan walked Colson Montgomery after the missed strikeout opportunity. He later faced Jake Rogers, who hit a 401-foot walk-off home run.
Did Jefry Yan allow his first MLB home run?
Yes. Jake Rogers’ walk-off homer was the first home run Yan had surrendered during his seven-game MLB career.
What did Mets manager Andy Green say about Jefry Yan?
Green said Yan needs to learn to wait until the play is over before celebrating, while noting that the reliever’s enthusiasm is part of his growth as a rookie.
How did Jefry Yan perform in Triple-A?
Yan posted a 2.40 ERA in 14 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse before earning his MLB recall.
Did Jefry Yan take responsibility for the mistake?
Yes. Yan called the incident a learning experience and said his focus must remain on executing pitches before celebrating.
Who hit the walk-off home run against the Mets?
Jake Rogers hit the game-winning home run in the ninth inning, giving the Chicago White Sox a 6-4 victory.
Were Jefry Yan and his celebration the only reason the Mets lost?
No. The Mets had a 4-0 lead before Sean Manaea allowed three consecutive home runs in the sixth inning, helping Chicago tie the game before Rogers’ ninth-inning blast.
Also Read: Did the Cubs-White Sox Rivalry Go Too Far at Wrigley Field?
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