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Saturday, July 12, 2008

N.Y. Times: Bernie Williams Limits Playing to Guitar (RR)

The latest on Bernie Williams...World Series ring bearer.

In the next few days, he will also make his presence known again in the baseball world, first by playing guitar at a gala held by Major League Baseball at the Museum of Natural History on Sunday night in conjunction with Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Then he will be one of three judges in a competition Monday to decide who will lead the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” on Tuesday night.

The invitation to take part in the All-Star activities was extended by Major League Baseball, not the Yankees, an indication that the team and Williams still have work to do in repairing their relationship. The relationship was strained when the Yankees invited Williams to spring training in 2007, without guaranteeing him a spot on the roster. Williams declined to show up, and he has not played since.

“I am pretty much done with baseball at this point,” he said, adding that now, “my life revolves around music and spending a lot of time with my family.”

Repoz Posted: July 12, 2008 at 02:00 PM | 22 comment(s)
Related News: General, History, NY Yankees, Music

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1. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:07 PM (#2854113)

The final game at Yankee Stadium has been moved to ESPN at 8:00 instead of 1:00. I think this is an utter disgrace.

So now the post-game ceremonies will start around midnight. Good job, MLB. #### you, ESPN.

2. Justin T Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:10 PM (#2854114)

I know why they moved it, but I can't tell you.

3. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:13 PM (#2854117)

I know why they moved it, but I can't tell you.

They moved it because it's a ####### ratings draw.

It's a joke that the final game wasn't the final game of the regular season, either. MLB had a "what's it matter?" attitude about it -- uh, because it would be nice to know if the "final game" is actually the ############# final game, idiots???

4. nick swisher hygiene Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:21 PM (#2854126)

yeah, but does Bernie do his swinging at home?

5. Mr2bits Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:36 PM (#2854137)

I agree with Larry, but in defense of MLB, prior to this season most assumed it a safe bet that the final game at Yankee Stadium would be played in October.

6. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:38 PM (#2854140)

How about a compromise: No matter which teams are involved, all games of the ALCS will be played in Yankee Stadium, so they know for sure when the last game is. I'm sure Pedroia, Varitek, Longoria, Kazmir and all the rest will really feel honored by being a part of the ceremonies.

7. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 12, 2008 at 03:54 PM (#2854154)

I agree with Larry, but in defense of MLB, prior to this season most assumed it a safe bet that the final game at Yankee Stadium would be played in October.

That's some revisionist history right there.

Prior to this season, everyone thought the Yankees needed starting pitching and that they'd have a tough time getting past Boston, Detroit and Cleveland to make the playoffs.

8. Mr2bits Posted: July 12, 2008 at 04:15 PM (#2854187)

That's some revisionist history right there.

Maybe I should have been more specific: prior to the Cabrera/Willis trade everyone thought it was a safe bet. Keep in mind the schedule was made last November.

9. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 12, 2008 at 04:18 PM (#2854191)

Maybe I should have been more specific: prior to the Cabrera/Willis trade everyone thought it was a safe bet. Keep in mind the schedule was made last November.

And the Yankees were ######## about it last November.

And before they re-signed Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees were considered a mortal lock to MISS the playoffs.

Nobody at any point in the last year thought the Yankees were a safe bet to make the playoffs this season. Had a good chance? Sure. But the Yankees haven't been a lock for October since 2004.

10. Mr2bits Posted: July 12, 2008 at 04:24 PM (#2854203)

OK, prior to this season everyone thought the Yankees had a good chance at making the playoffs. I didn't mean to suggest they were a "lock". But I wouldn't be surprised if their playoff chances factored into the decision making...then again, maybe I give them too much credit.

11. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 12, 2008 at 04:30 PM (#2854212)

What does "lock" mean? 100% chance? I think this year's Red Sox might be the only team in the last 5 years for whom that was the consensus expectation. Since, as Larry points out, the 2003 Yankees, who then lost Clemens and PEtttite before 2004.

12. 洋基's Biggest Fan! Posted: July 12, 2008 at 05:01 PM (#2854248)

Since we in a thread about a Yankees centerfielder, Bobby Murcer passes away today.

13. Mr2bits Posted: July 12, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2854252)

I'm not sure what is a "lock" and what isn't...Semantics aside, there's usually a good chance that the Yankees will be playing in October.

I don't agree with the decision-making process (or lack thereof), and think MLB should have reconsidered, but this decision is not without precedent. Candlestick, Comiskey, Tiger Stadium, Fulton County Stadium, and Riverfront all sat dormant while their teams finished out the regular season on the road. And even if they'd scheduled the last game of the season at Yankee Stadium, there would still be no guarantees of finality, as one game playoffs are regular season games.

14. HOPE: Madison Obamagarner (Flynn) Posted: July 12, 2008 at 05:12 PM (#2854263)

RIP Bobby Murcer.

15. Max NYC Posted: July 12, 2008 at 05:14 PM (#2854266)

Since we in a thread about a Yankees centerfielder, Bobby Murcer passes away today.

What incredibly sad news. He seemed like a wonderful man.

16. Jolly Old St. Nick (now, with Screen Name history) Posted: July 12, 2008 at 05:56 PM (#2854320)

Terrible news about Murcer. I was just watching a DVD of the 1971 All-Star game and taking a break, and it couldn't have been more than twenty minutes ago that he was up there facing Dock Ellis. Sad coincidence.

17. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: July 12, 2008 at 05:58 PM (#2854322)

When Tiger Stadium closed, the last day of the regular season would have been absolutely certain to be the last game.

18. salajander Posted: July 12, 2008 at 11:40 PM (#2854588)

The final game at Yankee Stadium has been moved to ESPN at 8:00 instead of 1:00. I think this is an utter disgrace.

Honestly, this is enough to push me over the edge and sell my tickets. I was sitting on the fence, with the baseball fan in me fighting the ZOMG $2000/ticket. But a 8 PM start? Midnight for all the ceremonies? That complete and total #### for about 10,000 reasons.

F*ck you, MLB. F*ck you, ESPN.

19. Rich Posted: July 12, 2008 at 11:46 PM (#2854592)

I echo everything Larry said.

20. Leroy Kincaid Posted: July 13, 2008 at 12:30 PM (#2854785)

Bernie's a very good guitarist but he butchered "Honky Tonk Women" in a Yankee promo commercial (with Paul O'Neill on drums) some years ago.

21. Scoriano Flitcraft Posted: July 13, 2008 at 12:35 PM (#2854789)

I'm a big fan but I think any post-game ceremonies should be limited. I'd like to see them celebrate before the last game, when the game goes official, and little to nothing at the end of the game.

22. KronicFatigue Posted: July 13, 2008 at 12:49 PM (#2854795)

i realize that the vast majority of people at the game will be suits who can afford the crazy prices, but does mlb really want to give new yorkers an entire day/evening to tailgate before this game? people are going to be trying to steal everything that is or is not nailed down.

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N.Y. Times: Bernie Williams Limits Playing to Guitar (RR)

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