NEW YORK — Retired Yankees broadcaster John Sterling delivered a blunt message to manager Aaron Boone during his Saturday radio show, urging him to avoid using embattled reliever Devin Williams in critical moments.
Sterling’s advice was direct and uncompromising on Talk Radio 77 WABC.
“I’m going to tell him, ‘Don’t pitch Devin Williams, OK?” the 87-year-old said. “You know, I know you want to, but don’t. Don’t. OK, that’s my great advice for Boonie.”
The warning follows another catastrophic week for Williams, who has transformed from elite closer to bullpen liability since joining the Yankees. Sterling, who broadcast Yankees games for 35 seasons before stepping away after the 2024 World Series, continues hosting weekly shows where he offers candid assessments of the team.
Williams has surrendered 28 earned runs across 45 innings this season, posting a bloated 5.60 ERA. The stark contrast to his Milwaukee days becomes apparent when considering he allowed just 48 earned runs over 235 2/3 innings during six seasons with the Brewers.
John Sterling’s broadcasting wisdom carries weight
Sterling called 5,420 regular season games and 211 postseason contests during his Yankees tenure. His decades of experience watching late-inning drama gives credibility to his assessment of Williams’ current struggles.
The broadcaster witnessed five World Series championships and eight American League pennants from the radio booth. His warning reflects concerns about trusting Williams when games hang in the balance.
Sterling retired in April but returned for special occasions, including the team’s final homestand and postseason run in 2024. He now hosts weekly programming on WABC where he shares unfiltered opinions about Yankees personnel decisions.
His broadcasting legacy includes calling every game Derek Jeter played and coining memorable catchphrases that became soundtrack to championship seasons. Yankees fans recognize his voice as the sound of success during the franchise’s most recent golden era.
Devin Williams admits poor performance
Williams has been refreshingly honest about his struggles since arriving from Milwaukee in December.
“It’s pretty simple,” he told reporters Friday. “I stink right now.”
The 30-year-old right-hander endured his worst stretch between July 30 and August 8, surrendering seven earned runs while accumulating two blown saves and two losses. His recent seven-day ERA reached 12.27, alarming numbers for any pitcher, let alone a closer.
Williams lost the ninth-inning role once already this season in April before reclaiming it when Luke Weaver suffered injury. His second opportunity has produced similar disappointing results, leading to mounting pressure on Boone’s decision-making.
“It’s tough. It’s not something I’m used to,” Williams said after blowing the game against the Astros. “I really haven’t struggled like this since probably 2018 coming back from Tommy John surgery.”
Expert identifies confidence crisis
Former World Series champion Dontrelle Willis diagnosed Williams’ problems during Apple TV’s Friday broadcast. The analyst believes the reliever has lost the mental edge necessary for late-inning success.
“It’s difficult,” Willis explained. “I’ve been there when you lose confidence in yourself, when you lose trust, and you’re still trying to battle and you’re in a playoff race.”
Williams’ signature changeup, dubbed “The Airbender,” has become ineffective. Advanced metrics show the pitch grading as below-average this season after rating well above-average in 2024. His strikeout rate has dropped to 18.2 percent while his walk rate has climbed to 15.9 percent.
The psychological component appears significant for Williams, who has struggled adjusting to New York’s intense atmosphere. Yankees fans booed him during his Yankee Stadium debut against his former Milwaukee teammates.
Aaron Boone faces difficult roster decisions
Yankees manager Boone must navigate conflicting priorities as his team battles for playoff positioning. The Yankees sit at 63-56 after going 2-7 in August, a slide that coincides with Williams’ continued struggles.
Boone has shown patience with underperforming players throughout his managerial career, sometimes to fans’ frustration. Sterling’s public warning adds external pressure to make changes during a critical stretch of the season.
Luke Weaver offers another closing option after excelling in the role during 2024’s final months. He allowed zero earned runs in 13 innings this season before Williams reclaimed the ninth-inning duties.
The manager acknowledged Williams needs lower-pressure situations to rebuild his effectiveness.
“The good news for Devin is he has everything to get through this and come out better from the other side,” Boone said.
David Bednar emerges as reliable option
The Yankees acquired David Bednar from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, providing Boone with a proven alternative to Williams. Bednar brings a perfect 17-for-17 save record this season along with a 2.37 ERA.
The 30-year-old Pennsylvania native has dominated since returning from an early-season demotion to Triple-A. Bednar posted a 1.70 ERA across 37 innings after rejoining Pittsburgh’s major league roster in April.
His recent performance has been exceptional, recording a 0.39 ERA with 29 strikeouts and five walks over his past 24 appearances through July. The right-hander features a 97 mph fastball, curveball and splitter that have helped him record 51 strikeouts in 38 innings.
Bednar represents the type of reliable late-inning option the Yankees envisioned when they traded for Williams. His zero blown saves this season stands in stark contrast to Williams’ multiple failures in crucial situations.
Yankees’ championship window narrows
Every game matters for a Yankees core that continues aging while chasing another championship. Poor bullpen performance has historically derailed talented rosters, making late-inning reliability crucial for October success.
Williams’ struggles threaten what should be a organizational strength. The Yankees invested heavily in bullpen upgrades, trading prospects for Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird at the deadline.
Sterling’s warning reflects broader concerns about trusting Williams when elimination games arrive. His broadcasting experience includes calling five World Series championships, giving him perspective on what separates winners from disappointments.
The veteran reliever pitched a scoreless sixth inning Sunday in low-leverage work, showing flashes of his previous dominance. However, Sterling’s assessment suggests Williams requires extended rehabilitation before handling crucial moments again.
Whether Boone heeds Sterling’s counsel may determine how far this Yankees roster advances when October pressure intensifies.
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