Rookie Luke Williams made Philadelphia Phillies history on Wednesday night when he hit a walk-off home run in his first major-league start.
Elias Sports noted that only five players around MLB have achieved this feat in the last two decades, but Williams is the first Phillies player to do this ever. According to Sarah Langs, he’s only the fourth player in franchise history to hit a walk-off homer as their first career HR.
Understandably, Phillies fans, the Phillies social team, and some former Phillies absolutely lost their minds last night. But for former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr., it was extra special. After all, he was the one who drafted Williams in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft. It would end up being his last draft class, as Amaro was let go in September 2015.
Here’s how it went down yesterday:
This is Luke Williams pregame today with Ruben Amaro Jr
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 10, 2021
Ruben drafted Luke in the third round in 2015, Ruben’s last year as Phillies GM
First Phillie ever with a walkoff HR in his first MLB start! pic.twitter.com/xvx0h5lnv6
Luke Williams. Wow. What a thrill!!!
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) June 10, 2021
So happy for Luke. Wonderful kid. So thrilled for guys who have to grind it out to live a dream. Kudos ! https://t.co/shPrWriJdW
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) June 10, 2021
Williams has been on fire since getting called up on Monday. As of the 8th inning in today’s game, he’s slashing .500/.500/1.000 with a home run, 2 RBI, and a hit in each of his first three career games. A small sample size, but there are high hopes for the rookie utility man.
Meanwhile, Amaro played two stints in Philadelphia totaling five of the eight seasons of his career, including as a member of the 1993 NL champion team. He joined their front office as soon as he retired in 1998. After a decade as assistant general manager, he was promoted in November 2008, days after the Phillies won their second championship.
During his tenure as GM, the Phillies won the division in three consecutive seasons and the 2009 pennant. They have not been back to the postseason since.
Is Ruben Amaro Jr. leaving the Phillies?
Amaro has been serving as a Phillies color analyst since last season but could be returning to the front office soon… just not in Philadelphia. Last fall, he was one of several candidates who interviewed for the Angels’ vacant GM position that ultimately went to Perry Minasian. But it was reported last month that the Colorado Rockies were interested in Amaro after Jeff Bridich stepped down in April.
Coincidentally, in his first season as Phillies GM, Amaro led the Phillies to the postseason to defeat – you guessed it – the Rockies. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?