Yankees Fans Fear Devin Williams Could Be Next Big Bust
Yankees fans know this story all to well.
A big-name acquisition, the fans are excited, the pressure is on and he struggles early. The boos start, the struggles continue and the chants and boos get louder. And soon, the question isn't just about the player's mechanics, it's about their mental makeup.
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Can he survive playing in New York?
That is where Devin Williams is now.
The closer arrived with two National League Reliever of the Year trophies and a reputation for making hitters look foolish. So far, it's been the Bronx making him look small. His fastball is getting torched. His signature changeup isn't missing bats.
https://athlonsports.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/luke-weaver-takes-over-as-the-yankees-closer-againhttps://athlonsports.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/luke-weaver-takes-over-as-the-yankees-closer-againAnd now he's lost his job.
If Williams doesn't turn it around quickly, he'll be at risk of joining a long, painful list of guys who just could not play in New York.
Former New York Yankees pitcher Sonny Gray pitches against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium in 2018.© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Joey Gallo couldn't hit here. Sonny Gray couldn't pitch here. Carl Pavano couldn't stay healthy here. Jacoby Ellsbury faded into one of the worst contracts in team history. Javier Vázquez folded under the lights. Kei Igawa, Jeff Weaver, Kevin Brown, A.J. Burnett, Andrew Heaney — all talented players, all swallowed up by the pressure, the spotlight, the expectation.
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Some found success immediately after leaving. Gray became an All-Star again. Burnett won in Pittsburgh. The stuff and the talent didn't vanish
Yankees scouts have a saying: the pinstripes weigh heavier on some players.
On Williams, it looked like the pinstripes are drowning him.
He still has time to flip the script. It is just April, which is traditionally his worst month. A step back from ninth-inning duty might help. A little breathing room might be all he needs.
But in New York, history shows that breathing room runs out fast, and he could very quickly find himself on this list of players who could not hack it in New York.
Related: Yankees Right-Hander Takes First Step Toward Mid-Season Return
Related: Luke Weaver 'Likely' Takes Over as the Yankees' Closer Again
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