Everything About the Luke Williams Walk-Off Homer Was Awesome
Good morning, friends.
The Phillies appeared headed for a second straight loss to the Braves last night by wasting brilliant pitching performances from Zach Eflin and Ranger Suárez.
Down to their final out, Luke Williams, he of two days big league experience, four major league at-bats, and current owner of eight baseball gloves, made sure it didn’t happen.
Luke Williams.
First career MLB start.
First career MLB homer.
Walk-off win for the Phillies!!! pic.twitter.com/Rht9U2grq4
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 10, 2021
Everything about this is awesome, right? Williams’ reaction, Tom McCarthy’s call, Scott Franzke’s call:
FRANZKE. WILLIAMS. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/0KZj58FZAJ
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) June 10, 2021
Especially awesome is Williams’ postgame interview with the TV crew, one that was interrupted numerous times by freezing-cold water and Powerade baths. It was also one that provided a refreshing public moment of raw emotion:
Luke Williams getting choked up while talking about his family gives you all the feels ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IiyNevjr6C
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 10, 2021
The improbability of the moment is also awesome, as Williams hadn’t homered in 71 at-bats with Lehigh Valley this season. After hitting one in walk-off fashion on Wednesday night, he became the first Phillies player to do so with their first big league bomb in nearly 25 years.
Per Elias, Luke Williams is the fourth Phillies player to hit a walkoff HR for his first major-league home run:
John Peters, 7/16/1921 vs. Reds
Rick Joseph, 9/16/1967 vs. Dodgers
David Doster, 6/21/1996 vs. Rockies— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) June 10, 2021
Hat tip to whoever snapped these two gems for the Phils’ social media account.
Baseball walk-off content >>>>>>>>> pic.twitter.com/IVSFzzT5RL
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 10, 2021
Get the man a hat.
Luke Williams is the 6th player in the last 20 years to hit a #walkoff HR in his first @MLB start.
No @Phillies player has ever done it.
h/t: @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/uotsSNVCGw
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) June 10, 2021