Looking back on Willy Adames' time with the Brewers ahead of matchup in San Francisco

Willy Adames was exactly the type of player, leader, and clubhouse presence that the Milwaukee Brewers needed when they acquired him via trade on May 22, 2021. The Brew Crew's 2021 season not only turned around the moment he arrived, but his impact on the organization over the next three and a half seasons was immeasurable.

From countless clutch, game-tying or go-ahead home runs to his ever-present smile, early batting practices, ironman streak of consecutive games, and a share of the MLB record for three-run blasts in a single season, Adames gave the Brewers everything he had and then some. There's no doubt he earned every penny of the seven-year, $182 million deal the San Francisco Giants awarded him this offseason.

As Milwaukee prepares to face San Francisco for four games spanning April 21-24, all eyes will be on seeing Adames in a new uniform. With the former heart and soul of the Brewers now an opponent, it's the perfect time to reflect on Adames' impact as a member of the Brew Crew.

Looking back on Willy Adames' time with the Milwaukee Brewers

From May 2021 to October 2024, Adames slashed .244/.323/.457 with 107 home runs, 119 doubles, 348 RBIs, and 52 stolen bases. According to StatMuse, Adames is one of three shortstops with 100 or more home runs over that stretch, with the others being Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager.

Adames’ ability to come up clutch was evident just days after being acquired. On May 27, 2021, against the San Diego Padres, he launched a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning. On June 19, that same year, he launched a go-ahead two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning. From 2022-2024, numerous more of these moments occurred.

Day in and day out, it took a lot to convince Adames to take a day off. His work ethic was unmatched, spending countless hours working on hitting with William Contreras and Jackson Chourio before games. Adames also was determined to play all 162 games. He appeared in 139 games in 2022, 149 in 2023, and an impressive 161 last season. The lone game he sat out in 2024 wasn’t due to injury, but a selfless decision made during a slump, choosing to put the team’s needs ahead of his personal goal to play every game.

Lastly, Adames etched his name into the MLB record books last season by launching an incredible 13 three-run home runs, which tied him with Ken Griffey Jr. for the most in a single season. It was a career year for Adames, who also posted personal bests with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs.

From Adames' clutch heroics, durability, and leadership, he was undoubtedly the heartbeat of the last few Brewers teams. Though he’ll be wearing a different uniform this time around, his impact on Milwaukee's organization and fan base won't soon be forgotten.