Yankees’ relief pitcher, Clay Holmes, has recently revamped his entry routine at Yankee Stadium, electrifying the crowd with a spirited walk-up song and an impressive light show.
Clay Holmes’ New Stadium Arrival
Holmes, the Yankees’ closer, had an unusual encounter at the Yankees’ spring training complex. He came across some fellow Yankees fine-tuning their hits in the batting cage, while the mesmerizing strains of Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse” echoed in the background. The song’s hypnotic guitar opening sparked an idea with assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes. He suggested the track could suit Holmes as a dynamic walk-up or warm-up song.
“It’s got a bit of a raw, rowdy riff and I kind of liked the whole vibe of it,” admitted Holmes. After this initial inspiration, Stapleton’s track has become a significant part of Holmes’ reimagined entrance at the games.
Holmes’ Brand New Entry Routine
The new display, which debuted on May 17, adds a layer of entertainment for the spectators. It combines the captivating introduction of Stapleton’s song with a flashy light show and intriguing scoreboard visuals. However, the overall effect doesn’t just depend on the time of day. While the first debut was a hit, the second display didn’t pack the same punch due to it being a daytime game.
Despite the time of day, Holmes’ new entrance has struck a chord with his teammates. Many of them felt that Holmes deserved a grand entrance, especially in light of his impressive 0.00 ERA and 13 saves in his opening 20 games this season. Holmes, however, confesses that he’s much more of a “go with the flow type of guy,” accepting the idea without much resistance.
Entrances of Great Closers: A Comparative Glimpse
Holmes is far from being the first closer to get a grand entrance. In the same league, the likes of Jordan Romano of the Blue Jays and Félix Bautista of the Orioles have made their entry onto the field spectacular affairs. Rogers Centre turns into a sea of red to welcome Romano, while Bautista was greeted by the whistle from “The Wire” when he was healthy.
Over at Target Field, the Twins’ Jhoan Durán is heralded by digital flames. Meanwhile, the Mets’ closer, Edwin Díaz, is accompanied by his signature trumpets in Queens. Yankees fans will, no doubt, remember Mariano Rivera’s famous entrance to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”
Holmes’ Revamped Entrance Evokes Positive Reactions
Holmes’ new entrance has been generally well-received by fellow players and fans alike. Matt Blake has observed that every road trip inspires the same sentiment, “We’ve got to give Clay a remarkable introduction,” making this change an especially affirming one.
The graphics accompanying Holmes’ walk-up song, however, raised a few eyebrows. With intense colors and psychedelic patterns, they’re a marvel to observe. Holmes confessed to being unsure about the origins of these graphics, but remained unaffected as he never really gets a chance to look at the scoreboard while heading out to the mound.
Holmes believes that his entrance, though more subdued than some, reflects his personality well. He also sees the new routine as an excellent way to engage fans and add some vigor to the game’s final moments. After all, baseball is as much about entertainment as it is about the sport itself.
In conclusion, Holmes’ striking new entrance has brought an added layer of drama to Yankee Stadium. His simple conversation during a spring training session has led to a tangible shift in the way he is received on the pitch, generating excitement among teammates and fans alike.