SAN DIEGO — Willy Adames returns to Milwaukee with a mix of nerves and gratitude as he faces the team that helped shape his rise before he moved on to the Giants last winter.
Adames spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Brewers after being traded from the Rays on May 21, 2021. He grew into Milwaukee’s cornerstone at shortstop, totaling 119 home runs, 348 RBIs and a .780 OPS over 548 games, and helping the club reach the playoffs in three of his four seasons. This past season, Adames posted career highs with 32 homers, 112 RBIs and 21 stolen bases, finishing 10th in NL MVP voting and joining Ryan Braun and Christian Yelich as the only Brewers to reach at least 30 homers, 100 RBIs and 20 steals in a single season.
There isn’t a single moment Adames points to when reflecting on his Brewers tenure. He recalls, however, that his first season in Milwaukee was “insane” as the club turned around a 21-23 start to finish 74-44 the rest of the way, winning the NL Central before losing to the eventual champion Braves in the NLDS. “I felt loved every day,” he said, noting the camaraderie with players like Josh Hader, Devin Williams and Avisail García that helped create a special run for the franchise.
Adames’ return coincides with a major moment off the field for Milwaukee: a celebration of life for Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker, who died at 90 in January. The event will occur before the Giants’ series finale on August 24, with Bob Costas hosting. Adames plans to honor Uecker with a pair of custom cleats, a gesture he hopes captures the broadcaster’s “bright light” and the warmth he felt in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee’s side of the reunion will be bittersweet but celebratory. The Brewers, now led by a group that is pushing toward a 100-win season for the first time in franchise history, sit atop the majors with an 80-48 record and an impressive 14-game winning streak to begin August. The contrast between Adames’ new colors and the Brewers’ banner year underscores a narrative of high performance and mutual respect for the time they shared.
Adames says he’s rooting for his former teammates and for a weekend that should be heavy with emotion and warmth. “I’m always going to be grateful that I had those years there with him,” he said, referring to Uecker’s influence and the way the Brewers’ fan base welcomed him and his family.
What to watch this weekend:
– The crowd’s reception for Adames in a city that embraced him during his Brewers years.
– How Milwaukee honors Uecker at a moment when baseball memories feel especially vivid.
– Adames’ own performance and mood as he faces the club where much of his Major League journey began, and how the Giants handle a weekend that blends nostalgia with high-stakes competition.
Key facts
– Adames signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Giants last December.
– Brewers tenure: 548 games, 119 HR, 348 RBIs, .780 OPS.
– 2024 season: 32 HR, 112 RBIs, 21 steals; 10th in NL MVP voting.
– Brewers’ 2024 highlight: 80-48 record with a 14-game August winning streak; on pace for 100 wins.
– Uecker tribute set for Aug. 24, hosted by Bob Costas; Adames planning to wear cleats honoring Uecker.