When your team is on the cusp of entering the postseason, there are certain things that one should not do. This is a lesson that Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams has learned the hard way.
Williams decided to take the next round of pitching hands versus walls in the eternal boxing match. And, as has been the case seemingly forever, the wall won.
Huge blow to the Brewers: Devin Williams fractured his pitch hand after punching a wall, he told media today. He’s out the rest of the year. If the Brewers make the World Series, there’s a chance he could be back for it, David Stearns said.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) September 29, 2021
Milwaukee Brewers may get Devin Williams back for World Series
The Brewers had all the hallmarks of a team that could be difficult to bounce in the postseason. Their trio of starters atop the rotation could match up with any team in the league, and may well be the best in baseball. Williams, Josh Hader, and Brad Boxberger provided an excellent trio at the back of the bullpen.
Instead, Williams may have ruined those hopes. In a fit of anger, he decided to do something that most people grow out of by the time they hit their mid 20s – punch a wall. At least in those cases, most of the offending walls are just drywall and the fist can go through cleanly. There is no indication as to why type of wall Williams had decided to provoke.
In all seriousness, he will be a major loss for the Brewers’ bullpen. Williams had posted a 2.50 ERA and a 1.185 WHiP in his 54 innings, striking out 87 batters with 28 walks. His changeup, nicknamed The Airbender because of its screwball action, made Williams a favorite of the baseball gif community.
Now the Brewers will be left to find another option for those late innings. In theory, Boxberger can move into the eighth inning, or Hader can be used in multiple innings as he had been in the past. Brent Suter or Aaron Ashby may be the most logical candidates to step up, but Williams is going to be a huge loss.
Devin Williams is used to racking up punchouts. The Milwaukee Brewers pitcher has learned that it is not as easy to punch out a wall.