Q&A: Williams talks trade, the Big Apple, Yankees fans

March 31st, 2025
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      In a recent phone interview with MLB.com, Yankees closer Devin Williams discussed a wide range of topics, from getting his first save of the season against the Brewers -- his former big league team -- to his first experience with Yankees fans last fall.

      MLB.com: How nervous were you when facing the Brewers on Thursday?

      Williams: I wouldn’t say I was nervous. There are other feelings I would use to describe it. It was different. It’s the only team I ever played for. I have a lot of good relationships with the people over there. It was definitely a unique experience lining up against them.

      MLB.com: You said you were not nervous. How would you describe it?

      Williams: It was the first game. Kind of like butterflies, excitement. I want to do well. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous in any situation. That would never be the word I would use.

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      MLB.com: Now you are playing for the Yankees. What does it mean to play for the organization?

      Williams: It’s a big honor for me. There are a small number of guys that ever played in the big leagues, and an even smaller number that ever put on a Yankees jersey. This is the most storied organization in sports, so it’s definitely a tremendous honor.

      MLB.com: This is an organization that has had great closers like Mariano Rivera, Goose Gossage and Sparky Lyle. How much do you want to have a legacy like those guys?

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      Williams: That’s the goal, right? I want to be as good as I can be. I think I have what it takes to do that. At the end of the day, I can’t really focus on those guys too much. Their careers are done. They are cemented. I’m still showing up every day trying to build my legacy. I can only be me every day. I can’t compare myself to the ghost of Yankees history.

      MLB.com: You started as a setup man until the Brewers traded Josh Hader to the Padres in 2022. How much do you like the closer’s role?

      Williams: I love it. I like being the last line of defense. I’m going to do everything I can to get those last three outs. Once it’s done, the game is over. That’s just a great feeling.

      MLB.com: Your worst moment as a closer was allowing the Pete Alonso home run in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series last year. How long did it take you to get over it?

      Williams: I mean, it takes time. I can’t give you an exact answer, but you kind of dwell on it because, at that point, the season is over. So you do kind of dwell on it. It’s not like you have a game the next day. But it took some time during the offseason. I was broken up over it. We lost. The season was over. I would say by the time I started training, I was over it. … You go on to the next thing. It’s just the mindset you have to have. That’s baseball’s mindset. Pitch by pitch, day by day, game by game, you move on to the next thing.

      MLB.com: Who helped you get over it?

      Williams: Nothing helped me get over it. It’s a game. We are out here playing a sport. We lost one game. I had one bad moment and I lost. Now we move on to the next thing.

      MLB.com: It was a big deal when you were traded to the Yankees. Besides being dealt [on Dec. 13] and all the hoopla that came with it, were you able to travel this past offseason like you normally do? What did you do?

      Williams: Oddly enough, I spent 10 days in New York during the end of October into November. Then I ended up getting traded here.

      MLB.com: What made you go to New York?

      Williams: I never spent any real time here without having to go to the ballpark. The only time I’ve been here prior to the trip is to just play. I figured New York would be a good spot to kind of explore. It ended up being pretty helpful that I got traded here. I’m pretty familiar with the city.

      MLB.com: In your time in New York last fall, what did you do?

      Williams: Everything. I walked all over Manhattan, just finding random places to eat. They all ended up being good. I did a lot of shopping. I went to some museums. Just all things I needed to do. I sat in a bar and watched the Yankees play the Dodgers in the World Series with a lot of Yankees fans.

      MLB.com: How weird was it to be with the fans? What’s the name of the bar?

      Williams: I can’t remember what bar it was exactly, but it was kind of a random bar. There were a lot of Yankees fans. It was Game 4. It was cool. It was a unique experience for sure. I was like sitting among the fans and seeing how they react with every pitch. I was experiencing their emotions from a fan standpoint.

      MLB.com: Every time I talk to you, which dates back to 2023, you seem to have that Bob Dylan personality. You are quiet, but you like to travel and observe what’s around you. Would you say that’s true?

      Williams: I’m not the loudest guy, obviously. I like to sit, listen, learn and observe others. I try to learn as much as I can, you could say.

      MLB.com: You are going to be a free agent after this year. How much do you want to remain a Yankee?

      Williams: I would love to. So far, everything has been great. The Yankees have great facilities. A great staff. Everything. At the end of the day, that’s not really up to me.

      MLB.com: It’s up to both sides, don’t you think? You and them.

      Williams: A little bit, yeah. There has to be that mutual want on both ends. It’s not just up to me.

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      Bill Ladson has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2002. He covered the Nationals/Expos from 2002-2016.