Andrew Rizzo Jefry Yan plays baseball with a flamboyance that would have guaranteed a brawl in another era. The New York Mets’ recent minor-league call-up punctuates strikeouts with a celebration that looks like the opening move of an elaborate breakdancing routine, launching himself into the air before striking a pose on the way down. Traditionalists can roll their eyes if they want. For us, it gives us a perfectly good excuse to talk about the custom cleats he wore during his viral MLB debut.
The 29-year-old journeyman finally reached the majors yesterday in relief against the Cleveland Guardians, then promptly became one of the night’s biggest talking points thanks to that theatrical strikeout celebration. And if you’re going to kick your feet that high into the air, you might as well make sure there’s something worth looking at. Yan took the mound in a custom pair of Air Jordan 1 “Mets” cleats, dressed in team colors with bright orange overlays and a blue, elephant print-like pattern across the toe box and quarter panels.
Yan isn’t an official Jordan Brand athlete, and as a 29-year-old rookie, he isn’t an obvious candidate to become one. Still, viral moments have a way of creating unexpected marketing opportunities. If Yan keeps racking up strikeouts and celebrations, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some brand decide there’s value in putting a logo to his feet.
