Sat Sep 27 02:30:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Willy Adames Named 2025 Willie Mac Award Winner**
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In a pre-game ceremony at Oracle Park, San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames was awarded the prestigious Willie Mac Award, recognizing his “competitive spirit, ability, and leadership” both on and off the field. The award, voted on by Giants players, coaches, staff, and fans, highlights the player who best exemplifies the qualities of Giants legend Willie McCovey.
Adames, who signed a seven-year contract with the Giants in the offseason, quickly established himself as a leader in the clubhouse. Despite a slow start offensively, his positive attitude and unwavering support for his teammates never wavered.
“Willy isn’t just the kind of player who makes everyone around them better,” said former Giants coach Craig Albernaz, who worked with Adames in the Rays’ minor league system. “He makes everyone around him their absolute best. He’s going to be great for the Giants.”
His manager with the Brewers, Pat Murphy said after Milwaukee lost Adames, “I can’t say enough about who he is. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses, but who this guy is and how he goes about his business, how he treats people, how he treats his teammates, how he leads. … That’s a big void.”
“He’s just a unique connector of people in that he connects with every corner of the clubhouse,” said Craig Counsell, who also managed Adames in Milwaukee “The stats, you guys can print those out and people can tell. But there are very few players who can connect with all corners.”
Adames’ influence extended beyond the clubhouse, as he elevated his game in the latter half of the season. The 30-year-old shortstop finished the year with a .244 batting average and 28 home runs. He had 23 homers hit since June 10 are fourth in MLB in that time. He is also aiming to be the first Giants shortstop since 1897 to lead the team in both home runs and stolen bases, entering Friday with a team-high 12 stolen bases.
Adames joins a distinguished list of Giants shortstops who have won the Willie Mac Award, including Jose Uribe, Shawon Dunston, Omar Vizquel, and Brandon Crawford. Last year the award was presented to third baseman Matt Chapman, Wilmer Flores won the award in 2022. Buster Posey was the last Giant to win the award, 2012. He becomes the fifth San Francisco shortstop to win the Willie Mac award since it was instituted in 1990.
First Piper 