To be a successful MLB pitcher, you’re probably going to develop a weird quirk or two over the course of your career. Some small gesture or wind-up that helps you focus or “get in the zone” while standing on the mound.
For the Padres’ Mike Clevinger — a top-flight pitcher in baseball when he’s locked in — one of his tricks appears to center around shuffling his feet over and over and over. That’s precisely what the 31-year-old right-hander did as he helped shut down the Diamondbacks (+1.5) in a 4-0 shutout win on Wednesday.
He showed off his happy feet. Over and over and over:
Imagine looking at this from the batter's box 😅 pic.twitter.com/ZshX0Hu6Xt
— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2022
I mean, hey: It is strange. But, if it works for Clevinger as he does his job, who are we to judge? He can dance if he wants to. Plus, if they don’t dance, he can leave his friends behind!
MLB fans were not nearly as charitable with their jokes about Clevinger’s pitching process.