Yanks decline Bernie's option

by John Amato on Aug 3, 2005 2:20 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

The Yanks chose to decline the option, a decision that was announced on Tuesday.

That's no surprise to anyone. The Yanks weren't going to pay Bernie that much money next year. This season I've been pulling for Bernie and Moe to make it to the playoffs one more time together since they have been here for the whole run. They deserve to get one more chance at winning a ring because these guys are what the Yankee tradition is all about.
True professionals. This year has been particularly hard on Bernie as his skills have declined and in a way reminds me of Paul O'Neil at this point in his career.

You know how frustrated he must feel watching guys like Tony Womack and Melky Cabrera look foolish in center as he keeps his mouth closed the whole time? I do know that if he gets the chance to come up big in the right situation, Bernie will do just that. Am I being a blindly loyal fan to the hilt? You're damn right, but Bernie deserves that much from us. He has had such a great run in pinstripes that I hope he gets the chance to shine one more time in the big lights. If he plays here next year, someplace else, or retires, I'm looking forward to Bernie Williams Day in the Bronx.

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I like him too...

But it wasn't just Melky and Womack who looked really bad in center this year, it was Bernie too, on a number of occasions.

He's certainly earned our respect, and our loyalty, but it can only go so far. He can no longer run down the ball, and his always weak arm is now considerably worse than it was. He wants to keep playing,a nd I understand that, but it's unlikely that any other team is going to take him on. His maximum possible role is the only he's playing now: part-time player, part-time DH, pinch-hitter.

He should take a close look at the whole picture and retire with the grace he's always shown, rather than debase himself by putting his further disintegration on display.

unfutz

by Ed Fitzgerald on Aug 3, 2005 2:42 AM EDT reply actions

perhaps

it's time for him to begin "The Journey Within."

Gotta love Bernie -- you said it, Jamato: these guys are what the Yankee tradition is all about.

by The Tattered Coat on Aug 3, 2005 3:03 AM EDT reply actions

Its a shame

What's happened to Bernie, especially considering what he has meant to this franchise for the past 10+ years.

But I also know that Bernie is one of the most clutch players we have and I look forward to him stepping it up one last time in a big pennant race/playoff situation.

by SemyonKuba on Aug 3, 2005 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Bernie, Bernie, Bernie

i agree with what everyone else has said here -- Bernie has measured up to every definition of what it's always meant to be a Yankee, and i'm hoping he chooses to go out in style, the same way he has always handled everything. what a great finish to a great career it would be if he can continue to do all that's asked of him in his new "part-time everything" role, and the Yankees could somehow pull the rabbit out of the hat and get him to the playoffs one last time. in fact, there's an idea for the team -- how about dedicating the rest of the season to Bernie and using that as inspiration to get to the playoffs, and maybe beyond!

by lee on Aug 3, 2005 11:28 AM EDT reply actions