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Friday, December 12, 2008

Bernie Williams hopes to play for Puerto Rico

Former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams has never retired.

And there may be a reason why.

ESPN’s Bonnie Bernstein has learned Williams will fly to Puerto Rico next week to play winter ball with the hopes of representing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in March.

The 40-year-old Williams, who won four Gold Golves in 16 seasons with Yankees, hasn’t played since his contract expired after the 2006 season.

Instead, he has been focusing on his music career. His second jazz album is due out next spring.

So, if Bernie gets a spot on the PR team and does well, anyone think he might get a few offers? Or will everyone just tell him to play some more music?

Gamingboy Posted: December 12, 2008 at 03:45 AM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: international, yankees

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1. The George Sherrill Selection Posted: December 12, 2008 at 08:59 AM (#3027243)

Rickey thinks this means Rickey has a shot at coming back!

2. jwb Posted: December 12, 2008 at 11:27 AM (#3027254)

Glad to see the Puerto Rican Winter League is back in business.

3. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:18 PM (#3027280)

Bernie, we loved you, at your best you an MVP-caliber player. But it's over, buddy.

4. Posada Posse Posted: December 12, 2008 at 02:30 PM (#3027294)

Bernie, we loved you, at your best you an MVP-caliber player. But it's over, buddy.

Yeah, I would agree. Jose Oquendo, the PR manager recently said “I don’t want to put a guy who might one day go into the Hall of Fame out there to embarrass himself”, so he probably agrees also. At this point Bernie likely can't play the outfield adequately and PR has good options at first base (Delgado) and DH (one of their surplus catchers from the Geovany, Pudge, Molinas glut) so Bernie would be sort of pointless on the team.

5. jwb Posted: December 12, 2008 at 10:21 PM (#3027879)

Possible Team Puerto Rico Roster
Position Name
P Fernando Cabrera
P Willie Collazo
P Pedro Feliciano
P Ivan Maldonado
P Joel Pineiro
P Saul Rivera
P J.C. Romero
P Jonathan Sanchez
P Javier Vazquez
C Yadier Molina
C Geovany Soto
C Ivan Rodriguez
IF Carlos Delgado
IF Felipe Lopez
IF Ruben Gotay
IF Ramon Vazquez
IF Alex Cora
OF Carlos Beltran
OF Alex Rios
OF Lou Montanez

They seem to have a better option for CF. From the WBC site.

6. Big Train Posted: December 12, 2008 at 10:23 PM (#3027880)

If I was a ballplayer, I would be playing until they took the bat from me. If a winter league team wants to give him a job, let him take it.

7. RJ in TO Posted: December 12, 2008 at 10:28 PM (#3027883)

If I was a ballplayer, I would be playing until they took the bat from me. If a winter league team wants to give him a job, let him take it.

So you're a believer in the Rickey school of retirement. I think I'm in agreement with you - they'd have to take the bat from me at gunpoint.

8. Randy Jones

Posted: December 12, 2008 at 10:30 PM (#3027885)

They seem to have a better option for CF.

The Yankees had this same choice and decided to stick with Bernie...

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Bernie Williams hopes to play for Puerto Rico

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