Yankees’ Luke Weaver tenders ‘short starts’ apology to ex-mates
- August 15, 2024
- 9:16 am
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Follow UsIn a candid 20-minute segment on “Foul Territory,” New York Yankees reliever Luke Weaver took the opportunity to tender an apology to his former teammates, shedding light on his evolving perspective since transitioning to a late-inning relief role this season. The pitcher, who has spent most of his nine-year career as a starting pitcher with less success, spoke about the newfound respect he’s gained for relievers after making the switch.
When asked about his transition, Luke Weaver offered a heartfelt acknowledgment of the critical role that relief pitchers play in the game. He expressed a desire to apologize to all the relievers he had played alongside throughout his career, admitting that while there were times he may have eased their workload, there were many instances when he did not.
“The big thing, from starting to relieving is like, I just wanted to apologize to all the relievers that have been on my team through the course of my career, and just be like, man, yeah, there’s days when I feel like maybe I helped you all out and you didn’t have to throw as much, but there’s plenty of days where I didn’t,” Luke Weaver said. “I just want to be like, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize really, I don’t think starters — unless they’ve done relieving — really realize how much of a backbone they are in keeping the game intact.
Luke Weaver confessed that as a starter, he hadn’t fully grasped how his performance could impact the bullpen. He acknowledged that starting pitchers who haven’t been in relief roles might not fully appreciate the importance of relievers in preserving a game, especially during the high-stress late innings.
At 30 years old, Luke Weaver highlighted the relentless demands faced by relief pitchers, including the need to be perpetually ready to pitch and the daily grind that comes with the role. He emphasized the deep respect he now holds for the position, a respect that has grown since he embraced his new responsibilities.
Reflecting on his past performances as a starter, Luke Weaver expressed regret for some of his shorter outings and reiterated his newfound appreciation for the challenges of being a relief pitcher. His comments reveal a humbling shift in perspective, brought on by his recent experience in the bullpen.
“And just really through the finish and the day to day, being prepared to throw and the grind that comes with that,” the Yankees’ reliever told. “There’s just a lot of respect that’s been gained … I didn’t mean to have some short starts, but I do respect more than anything, what it takes to be in that position.”
Luke Weaver highlights a true state of pitching affairs
Luke Weaver’s reflections offer valuable insight into the contrasting demands of starting and relief pitching, and how stepping into both roles can lead to a greater understanding and respect for the complexities of Major League Baseball.
Luke Weaver’s shift to a relief role has not only provided him with a fresh perspective but has also breathed new life into his career. As a reliever, Weaver has delivered a solid performance, boasting a 3.50 ERA with 70 strikeouts over 64 1/3 innings, and recording 18 holds. This turnaround can be partly credited to adjustments in his pitch selection.
His career trajectory adds depth to his newfound respect for relief pitching. Drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals, Weaver’s tenure as a starting pitcher was marked by inconsistency. Luke Weaver surpassed 100 innings in a season only twice, and despite numerous chances to establish himself in the rotation, he struggled, posting a 5.05 ERA across 520 innings.
Even after a tough 2022 season, where he primarily pitched out of the bullpen and logged a 6.56 ERA, Weaver was granted more opportunities to start in 2023. This included three starts with the New York Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from the Seattle Mariners after he had been designated for assignment twice in a single month.
Luke Weaver’s transition from a struggling starter to a reliable reliever underscores the complexities of pitching roles in baseball and the potential for career revitalization through adaptability. His success in the bullpen, along with his new appreciation for the role, underscores the significance of flexibility in professional baseball and the essential contributions of relievers to a team’s overall success.
His recent remarks, laced with humor, highlight a serious point about the often-overlooked importance of relief pitchers in baseball. While relievers may spend less time on the mound than starters, the challenges they face are distinct and demanding, deserving more recognition.
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