“He’s not a closer; he does not have the stomach for it” - Actor Nicholas Turturro takes jibe at Clay Holmes, urges Yankees to make a change

Actor Nicholas Turturro had a go at New York Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes for his role in the 7-4 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. The two-time All-Star recorded his 11th blown save of the 2024 season, adding to his league-leading total.

The Yankees were leading 4-3 in the ninth inning when Clay Holmes took the mound, replacing Tim Hill. Holmes allowed a single and two walks, loading the bases.

He then gave up a 407-foot grand slam to Wyatt Langford, allowing the Rangers to score four runs, with players coming home from all bases. Turturro reacted to Holmes' performance.

“At this point in September, we have seen this guy over and over the last couple of years. He is not a closer. He is not a closer. He does not have the stomach for it. He is not the guy. They gave it to him. They gave him a chance. Put him back in the seventh to eighth or whatever,” Turturro said.

“Try anybody else, try Weaver, try anybody, maybe you put this kid Gill out there, I don’t know. But you gotta do something. You can’t, you cannot stay this way. 11 blown, 11 blown games. That’s enough. It should have been done a while ago. Something has to change.”

Nicholas Turturro, a New York native, expressed concern about the team’s situation at this point in the season, suggesting that the Yankees should try other players in the closer position.

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Yankees manager Aaron Boone opens up about closer change after tough loss

Clay Holmes threw 25 pitches, including 12 strikes. After Tuesday’s loss, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, when asked about the change of closer, said (via MLB.com):

"I’m not going to answer that right now when we’re raw and emotional. We’ll talk through and do what we think is the best thing. He’s really important to us down there (in the bullpen). We need his excellence to be part of the group down there. So, this is a tough one."

The New York Yankees (80-60), with a .571 winning percentage, are second in the AL East, after the Baltimore Orioles (81-60) overtook them for the top spot.

The Yankees lost the finale of their three-game series 10-6 to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. They start another series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field.