Monday, October 10, 2005

Jack Curry: 'Ber-nie' Can't Deliver, But Fans Keep Chanting

The New York Times
By JACK CURRY
Published: October 10, 2005

Bernie Williams was a passenger in an armored vehicle barreling along a highway in Colombia in his role as a cultural ambassador for the United States Embassy last February. Military policemen dotted the sides of the two-lane road, and Williams had been warned about possible kidnappings, but he was relaxed and reflective.

The start of spring training with the Yankees was less than a week away, and Williams was eager to talk baseball. He told stories about Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. He described how exciting it was to win four championships. He even smiled about the tense environment created by George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner.

Because 2005 was the final guaranteed year of Williams's contract, he was asked if this would be the end. Williams had earned more than $100 million in his career, had won four World Series rings and had captured a batting title. What was left?
Apparently, a lot.

"There's too much out there for you to just leave," Williams said. "If you keep working hard, you can get it."

With those words, spoken long before Williams had a disappointing season - he lost his full-time job in center field - he made it evident that he wanted to continue playing after 2005. Williams has not changed his mind. More stubborn and proud than his gentlemanly demeanor would suggest, he says he can keep going for at least one more year.
The Yankees are not as certain.

So as they played a do-or-die game against the Angels last night at Yankee Stadium, there was also a chance they were saying goodbye to Williams. The fans understood, and they cloaked Williams in cheers while waiting for the Yankees to do something, anything, against John Lackey.

Eventually, the Yankees rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to squeeze out a 3-2 victory over the Angels in Game 4 of their division series. Williams received four standing ovations, one video tribute and countless "Ber-nie, Ber-nie" chants. He started the game as the designated hitter and went 0 for 4, but fittingly, he was in center field when the game ended. It had been his home for so long.

"I appreciate all the support they gave me today," Williams said. "To me, it was one of those, 'Just in case you don't come back, we want to show you how much we love you.' "
As Williams batted in the eighth inning, cameras flashed and the fans chanted his name. At one point, Williams asked for a timeout. He smashed a shot to center that, for a millisecond, delighted the fans. But Steve Finley hustled back to corral it.

The fans were not done. After Williams returned to the dugout, they continued to chant his name. They wanted to honor him one more time. With the decibel level rising, Jorge Posada stepped out of the batter's box and peered into the first-base dugout. Williams emerged and waved. It might have been the first curtain call for a player who was hitless in four at-bats.
"I was forced to go out there and acknowledge the crowd, which was pretty cool at that point," Williams said.

The Yankees will probably not try to sign him for 2006. Williams, who has been a Yankee since signing as a 17-year-old in 1986, may have to continue his career with another team.
How weird would Williams look in a Rangers or a Blue Jays uniform?

Four hours before yesterday's first pitch, the end was not a subject Williams wanted to discuss for long. He was marching toward the player entrance, and he eyed an escape. But in his haste, he tripped over a sidewalk curb. He recovered and trotted into the Stadium. Even after the game, Williams tried to avoid reporters.

Before the game, Manager Joe Torre said he did not think about the possibility of a goodbye for Williams because "we don't want it to be."

Torre said the Yankees had teased Williams about it to avoid the lingering emotions. "When the time comes that he's not in this uniform, I think it's going to hit you more so than anticipating when it's going to happen," Torre said.

As much as Williams was focused on a team victory yesterday, part of him had to ponder the personal ramifications. He would have had to have been a robot not to wonder if the 2,064th game of his career, including the postseason, would be his finale as a Yankee.
Now he gets a 2,065th.

When Paul O'Neill, who had announced his plans to retire, played in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series, the fans recognized his contribution to the Yankees by serenading him with numerous chants. As he stood in right field, O'Neill covered his face with his glove because his eyes were turning moist.

Williams was batting behind O'Neill in the lineup and was alongside him in the outfield in that game, experiencing the fans' outpouring of affection from up close. Williams has played 15 years in New York, six more than O'Neill, and the only Yankees with more hits are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mantle.

There was no doubt Williams would receive the same kind of adulation. Williams lowered his head and said, "I know it's coming," when he was reminded of O'Neill's farewell. "I think I know how O'Neill must have felt when they did that to him," he said afterward. "To me, it felt great, but it was bittersweet because I was hoping to get a couple of hits and be a contributor to the game."

Williams was enthusiastic during batting practice as he fielded grounders. He shook hands with reporters and even posed for one picture by the dugout. He seemed to be soaking up as much of the Stadium as he could. If the Yankees win tonight, he will get back here after all.

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