Bernie Williams Yankee Career Over?

Bernie Williams is definetly a name you think of when you think of the New York Yankees. Williams commented to Newsday this:

"I think if they wanted to have me on the team, they would have signed me already," said Williams, 38. "Having the option to go to spring training to see what would happen is something that ... I don't think at this moment it's something I want to consider." -Bernie Williams to Newsday.

The Yankees wanted to sign Bernie Williams as a non-roster player, but Williams leaned towards declining the non-roster Spring Training invitation from the Yankees. Williams commented about the issue at his benefit concert at Faith Church saying he couldn't imagine playing somewhere else, or for another team. His pin-striped uniform days are most likely over.

In 2006, due t the injuries sustained to other players Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams played more than usually in the 2006 season. Williams has a .281 batting average, batted 12 home runs, 61 RBIs, in 420 at-bats, and in 131 games.

Williams has been a Yankee since 1991, and signed a contract regarding this on Williams' 17th birthday in 1985.

Brian Cashman (general manager for the New York Yankees) comments to Newsday he had this to say about the decline from Williams about the Spring Training session:

"I certainly respect where he's coming from. I understand and respect his unwillingness [to accept a non-roster spring training invitation]. There's not much more I can say." -Brian Cashman, New York Yankees general manager to Newsday.

Obviously Bernie Williams is upset by the matter. Williams understands and accepts the fact that the New York Yankees will most likely not include him on their 2007 season roster. After 16 amazing seasons, the pin-stripes have worn off of Bernie Williams. Hopefully in the future Bernie Williams will be present on the New York Yankees roster, but that future looks grim.

Although Bernie Williams may not play for the New York Yankees, please keep into consideration Bernie Williams also played the guitar, and could possibly boost his jazz/blues musical career. Maybe Bernie Williams will play for another baseball team instead (even though he leaned towards declining that as well when it came to comments).

New York Yankees position reports come out on February 18th, so Bernie Williams is looking for the final statement on whether he will be playing for the New York Yankees this year. Keep an eye out for Bernie Williams news in the near future.