In Keeping with the Meta of this Blog
Yankees blogging!
One thing I really hope to see happen: Bernie Williams retire as a Yankee. I love me some Bernie Williams. He's a class act. He's a good ballplayer. And, as one of the commenters to the article says, he bleeds Yankees blue.
Although he's definitely past his prime, I know that another team would sign him for a year as a utility player. I think he would happily stay with the Yankees as a utility player. I think he'd even take less money from the Yankees than he would from another team. He's been loyal to the Yankees all these years. He played well for them for those years. He was a big part of the championship teams.
There's room for him on the roster, if the Yankees want there to be. Who would you rather have as a back-up first baseman? Bernie Williams or the fieldingly useless Jason Giambi, a man so slow that, as my brother once aptly put it, they measure his speed using a calendar (not that that actually makes a difference to Giambi's (in)ability to play first base, but it's such a great line I had to fit it in)? If not as a back-up first baseman, somewhere.
Bernie has been loyal to the Yankees for his entire career. I know that baseball teams aren't managed by staying loyal to players. I know that's especially true when you're dealing with George Steinbrenner*. Sometimes, though, you just want to believe that loyalty will be rewarded. That the team will forego some money in recognition of all the player has done for them in the past. That George Bailey will beat Clarence Potter**. This is one of those times.
*Besides, as much as I am grateful for Steinbrenner's willingness to open the checkbook, I still hate the man.
**Every time a batter swings, an angel gets his wings?