This man walked to the plate in the eighth inning as 56,226 people strained their vocal chords to express their devotion for him.
This man lined out to centerfield, and 56,226 people still strained their vocal chords to express their devotion for him.
This man jogged back to the dugout after making an out for the fourth time in the game, these same 56,226 people lauding him.
The screaming continued. It reached its crescendo when this man – Bernie Williams – came to the top step of the dugout – his dugout – and greeted 56,226 fans with a wave of his arm.
This man may have played his last baseball game in Yankee Stadium. Or, this man may have played his latest baseball game in Yankee Stadium.
We will learn of the Yankees’ fate minutes before midnight Monday when Game 5 of the ALDS concludes in Anaheim. We will of Bernie Williams’ fate as a Yankee in the days and weeks ahead.
The Yankees already declined his option for next season, but Williams can still re-sign with the team, sign somewhere else or retire a Yankee.
He’s a pinstripe lifer, all 15 of his seasons played for the Yankees. In centerfield. As a designated hitter.
Yankees fans have watched Williams grow up. In 1991, he was a scrawny, all-legs outfielder who was fast enough to make Yankee people think he should hit leadoff, but never fast enough to steal bases consistently.
In 1997, he became a Gold Glove-winning centerfielder. In 1998, the American League batting champion. That same season, he won his second Gold Glove and World Series title, becoming the first – and only – baseball player to win those three in the same season.
By the end of this season, Williams ranked in the top seven on the all-time Yankee lists for hits, at-bats, runs, home runs, RBI, doubles, walks and games played.
It’s a testament to his longevity and much as his talent. Since that first game on July 7, 1991, Williams has hit in every position in the lineup.
Watching Williams get benched this season hurt many Yankee fans as much as it did him. It was necessary, though, making it even more painful to watch. Williams may not be the best baseball player, now or ever, but he’s revered in New York and has been a wonderful addition to the history, tradition and legacy that is centerfield for the New York Yankees.
Williams started Game 4 as the designated hitter, a sign of his advancing age and declining ability to perform at a level that made him an All-Star every year from 1997-2001.
In the eighth inning, Williams moved into centerfield. Why Joe Torre puts in a player who is usually taken out in the late innings for defensive reasons is why players love playing for Joe Torre.
The Game 4 crowd chanted “Ber-nie Will-yums!” in a reverent but subdued tone. They wanted to acknowledge Williams for his contributions to this city and their lives. But full acknowledgement meant the Yankees’ season would end either that night or tonight.
Williams went 0-for-4 in Game 4. And he lined out to centerfield in the eighth inning of 3-2 game. He was cheered for making an out. How many Yankees can say that?