While My Guitar Gently Weeps

w  Anyways, the sad yet inevitable news in Yankee land is the departure of long-time Center Fielder and excellent classical guitarist Bernie Williams.

Bernie posted legit numbers in limited time with the Yanks, batting .281 with 12 home runs proving that he can be a legitimate fourth outfielder on most baseball teams.  Unfortunantly, the success of youngster Melky Cabrera has thrust Bernie into the fifth outfielder slot, leaving him in an unfamiliar situation: Either accept a minor league contract or retire.  Bernie insists that he will wait for a garunteed offer from the Yankees, but #51’s days in pinstripes appear to be coming to a close.

As a Yankee fan it is truly ashame, but Bernie’s departure, as with Gerhig, Ruth, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, O’Neill, and soon enough Rivera and Jeter was going to happen whether we like it or not.  Room needs to be made for youngsters such as Cabrera and highly touted prospect Jose Tabata and the older players are the ones who will suffer.

Despite Bernie’s ability to still hit, his power has simply dwindled and his ability to walk and get on-base is not as good as it once was.  His range has also suffered over the years, and he may be the only outfielder in Major League Baseball who has a weaker arm than Yanks current center fielder Johnny Damon.  I’m not knocking Bernie at all, simply acknowledging what is fact.

Bernie will always be remembered as the 4-time world series champion who graced the Yankees center field for the better part of the time period of 1990-2006.  No doubt will the former batting champion be honored in the Yankees hall of fame in Monument Park, and perhaps a Bernie Williams day will be all set for the new stadium opening in 2009 where he will be lined up with all the other greats of the team.

My only hope is he doesn’t end up like many of the other great sporting legends by retiring for a team that doesn’t define who he is.  One such example would be Willie Mays retiring as a New York Met….yuck. 

And besides, he can always go back to playing his guitar

Here is the New York Times Article on the Bernie Williams-Yankees situation