From Pinstripes to Queens: A Yankees Fan’s Bittersweet Take on Clay Holmes Mets Transformation
It’s the eighth inning, the Yankees are ahead but barely. They’re making a call to the bullpen, who will come in as relief? Please let it be Luke Weaver. Of course it’s not though. In comes Clay Holmes, and suddenly all hope for a win flies out the window.
Seeing Holmes on the mound was a painful sight for a Yankees fan in the final innings of a game. He just never really seemed to deliver when he was needed most. Then suddenly he’s gone, and to the Mets no less while we’re already mourning the loss of Juan Soto. Is he missed in the Bronx? It’s hard to tell. Yes, watching him leave the Bronx for Queens stung of course, but the pain of watching him blow yet another game for the Bronx Bombers will never be felt again.
Holmes seems to be getting comfortable with his new New York team during Spring Training. Transitioning from a reliever to a potential starting pitcher is not an easy task, but Holmes seems to be taking to it nicely. In yesterday's game against the Nationals, Holmes dished out eight strikeouts in just three innings. He also only allowed one hit and allowed the Mets to hold onto their lead with no earned runs.
One thing stands out though. Despite his strikeout percentage visibly improving, he is still walking more athletes than he should. Three innings and three batters walked doesn’t seem like a lot, but for those that are familiar with Clay Holmes’ pitching it’s a scary statistic to look at. He can keep that in Queens. It’s not a Yankees fan’s problem anymore.
Holmes does seem much more comfortable with his new position. Yesterday’s performance was not his only notable Grapefruit League appearance with the Mets. Maybe the pressure of coming in as relief in the eighth was too much for him or maybe he simply has been improving. It’s nice to see him playing well, as long as I never have to sit with my heart in my throat watching him blow yet another game for the Yankees ever again. Congratulations Clay Holmes, you may have found your place in New York, it’s just not with the Yankees.
