Will Bernie actually help the team?

by John Amato on Dec 26, 2005 4:00 PM EST in New York Yankees News

I'm glad they resigned him so he can get a nice farewell tour this year, but if Bernie struggles I can see him retiring early this year from the team. He has so much pride that if he slides down into the low .200's, I really can't see him staying on the team as an active player. Bernie just might be able to become a dangerous number eight hitter with the pressure of not having to shag fly balls in center gone and that would be a fitting end to his great career. That is a big if, but I'm going to keep the positive vibes flowing to Williams. He deserves every chance he gets to still contribute and the Yanks did the classy thing by resigning him for 2006.

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Bernie Williams

Your exactly right he does deserve every chance he can get to contribute to the club. He has been a loyal part of the organization.

by dabrunll on Dec 26, 2005 7:27 PM EST reply actions

He has been part of the organization

And he's been classy, and it was fun watching him become one of the best centerfielders in the game and sad to watch him decline.
I just hope he can help the team in a more limited role.
On a related note, have they signed Miguel Cairo yet?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Dec 27, 2005 10:31 AM EST reply actions

Bernie

<< if Bernie struggles I can see him retiring early this year from the team >>

and wouldn't that be just like Bernie? even if the Yankees are running away with the division, headed towards a 100-win season and the World Series -- you're right, his pride would be too much to simply hang around just so he could cash some more playoff checks and maybe win yet another ring. they just don't make 'em like that any more, do they?

i sure hope it doesn't come to that!

by lee on Dec 27, 2005 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Different take

I love Bernie as much as anybody, but I don't see him retiring in mid-season if he fails to perform well as a role player. Yeah, he has a lot of pride but I think he'd only hang it up if The Boss made it clear he was done - i.e. they sat him down and told him to retire.

Haven't heard about Cairo being signed yet.

But was thrilled that Kevin Millwood spurned the Red Sox' offer and signed with the Rangers.

by Yankee Fanne on Dec 27, 2005 12:09 PM EST reply actions

Bernie Baseball

Alot of people like to take shots at the Yankees organization, and perhaps some of it is warranted, however, there isn't another team in professional sports that takes better care of its own.

How many former players are in the broadcast booth, minors, front office, coaching, etc. I challenge anyone to find a team that does a better job in this area.

Take Paul O'Neill from a few years back. He had slipped noticeably the year before, but the Yankees brought him back (at a much higher price than Bernie) and gave him a final send off.

To sign a guy for a year who has been a Yankee since he was 16, is total class. Frankly, with the lineup they currently have in place, I wouldn't care if Bernie hit .220. This is a "Thank you" to Bernie from the Yankees, and an opportunity for fans to cheer and chant his name one more time.

by 22Ronster on Dec 27, 2005 2:07 PM EST reply actions