Ken Davidoff's baseball insider

Bernie Williams is sitting at home in Westchester, while Ruben Sierra is doing the same in the Miami area. Neither man is technically or spiritually retired. Both could be helping a New York team right now, if only they hadn't let their egos guide their decisions.

Bernie, you know about. How he turned down the Yankees' spring-training offer of a minor-league contract. How he could made the team _ over Josh Phelps, for instance _ or, barring that, could have been summoned a week into the season, when Hideki Matsui went on the disabled list. How he could be the starting designated hitter Wednesday night against Baltimore left-hander Erik Bedard.

Sierra _ not as beloved in New York, but as important and famous a figure in the baseball community _ took the Mets' minor-league offer in spring training, and Mets general manager Omar Minaya had his old Rangers pal Sierra pegged for Triple-A New Orleans, where he would mentor Carlos Gomez and Latings Milledge and be available as an injury replacement. Ruben, who reported to camp out of shape, said thanks but no thanks. Given the injuries to Moises Alou, Endy Chavez and Shawn Green, it's not outrageous to think that Sierra would've gotten a shot, no matter how bad his defense is.

Instead, Sierra has held discussions with the independent Newark Bears about playing, a person familiar with the situation said. Meanwhile, Bernie is supposedly keeping in good shape but also moving forward with his life, as he'll be performing in an Aug. 18 concert in the Bronx.

We all know that Bernie would rather be elsewhere in the Bronx, all things being equal, and that Sierra wishes he were still in the big leagues. If both hadn't been so reluctant to lower their standards, even just for the short term, they might be far happier right now. And the Yankees and Mets might be better off.