Brewers' Willy Adames Amazingly Called His Shot Before Game-Winning HR

Stephen Douglas | May 8, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals took a 5-3 lead into the top of the ninth where closer James McArthur retired the first two batters of the inning and that’s where the fun began. 

William Contreras doubled and pinch hitter Gary Sanchez, who hit one of the most exciting meaningless home runs in the history of the game a day earlier, walked. While Sanchez was working on his free pass to first, Willy Adames was in the on deck circle having a lively conversation with some Royals fans, warning them that if Sanchez got on base, the Royals were in trouble. As Sanchez took ball four, he told the fans, “Watch this.” 

Adames then walked to the plate and hit the go-ahead three run homer on the second pitch he saw.

Willy Adames for the lead in the ninth! pic.twitter.com/wK5jjvZP1h

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 8, 2024

As Adames rounded third, you could see him pointing at the stands and yelling. Manager Pat Murphy recounted watching it all unfold after the game with amazement in his voice, calling it a cool moment and revealing that Adames then went over to the fans before celebrating with his teammates. 

#Brewers Manager Pat Murphy talks about Willy Adames calling his shot to the fans in the 9th inning.

“He’s telling the fans he’s going to do it. Gary walks, (Willy) turns back and he goes ‘watch this’…bam.” pic.twitter.com/0b2BJHH6BB

— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) May 8, 2024

During Adames’ postgame interview with Bally Sports Wisconsin, they showed a brief clip of Adames actually celebrating with the Royals fans. This guy just ripped their team’s heart out and they’re high-fiving him and bowing. And then as he goes back to the dugout, they high-five each other. Their team basically just lost the game and they’re high-fiving. That’s how damn cool this moment was to be a part of. 

Willy Adames called his shot and he certainly delivered! He spoke with @SophiaMinnaert after his CLUTCH go-ahead homer in the 6-5 win over the Royals. #ThisIsMyCrew | #MLB pic.twitter.com/GanGaDzCXq

— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) May 8, 2024

It’s not often we get to see a baseball player call his shot, but when it does happen, we deserve a complete and immediate oral history, just like this. The home run was Adames’ seventh of the season, which ties him with guys like Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Fernando Tatis Jr., which should give you an idea of why he would be confident enough to tell opposing fans he was about to hit a three run home run to win the game in such a tight spot.