By Geoff Walter / SNY.tv

 

 

Bernie Williams has been a fixture at Yankee Stadium for 16 years. That's three more than Joe DiMaggio and two less than Mickey Mantle. He has won numerous awards, records, championships and the love of the fans. The Bombers recently offered Williams an invite to Spring Training, but not a guaranteed roster spot because they now have a plethora of outfielders. There has also been talk of moving Bernie to platoon at first base with recent acquisition Doug Mienkiewicz.

A third option does exist. In Game 5 of the 2001 World Series, fans chanted Paul O'Neill's name over and over, and they did the same to Williams in the 2006 playoffs. O'Neill retired right after the loss to the Diamondbacks, and, as Spring Training approaches, will Bernie take a similar route? Here's your chance to see my take on Bernie's offer from the Bombers, and respond with some thoughts of your own.

Williams has been offered an "open-ended" invitation to Yankees Spring Training. That means that he'll have to compete like every other player without a guaranteed contract. What this really amounts to is a Minor League deal. Williams wants to play for the Yankees. The only problem with that is that the uniform may have the words "Scranton-Wilkes Barre" in front instead of "New York."

There's an old saying in baseball that it's easier to go from infield to outfield than outfield in. Remember what happened when they tried this with Gary Sheffield? He at least had some experience at first base. Bernie has said that there are other things that are becoming as or more important in his life than baseball -- his family and his passion for music. The question is which of his passions will win out.

It's hell getting old. A couple of years ago, the Yankees were statistically the oldest team in baseball. The front office has made it a point to start getting younger, and a 38-year old outfielder doesn't fit in too well with their plans. At a recent press conference, GM Brian Cashman said that Williams has "obviously meant a lot to the franchise and been a big piece for quite some time. It's been a great marriage." When Yankee Stadium was named the home of the 2008 All-Star Game, general partner Steve Swindal, remarked that Bernie "has contributed so much to the success of this franchise and the run we had. You cannot underestimate how important he has been to us." Notice the use of the past tense.

In 2006, Williams played in 131 games, received 420 at-bats and hit .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBIs because of wrist injuries suffered by outfielders Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield. Those same injuries also allowed Melky Cabrera to come up and gain significant play time as well. Cabrera is now the utility outfielder, and Johnny Damon, Matsui and Bobby Abreu are healthy -- for now. Barring any injuries, that leaves Williams out in the cold.

Pitcher Jeff Nelson, 40, recently signed a ceremonial deal with the Yankees then immediately announced his retirement after being invited to Spring Training. It wouldn't be that bad for Bernie to go out the same way. It would, however, be an indignity for an outfielder -- let alone a 16-year Yankee veteran -- to end his career on a down note playing in the Minors, far from where he achieved the greatest accomplishments of his career, and basically as a way to get more gate.

Michael Jordan is an immortal for his legacy with the Bulls, but that legacy was tarnished in many fans' eyes by his stint with the Wizards. As Bobby Womack said, "leave them wanting more and you know they'll call you back." Bernie, go out on top with your head held high, and we'll see you at your own day in the big ballpark in the Bronx.

Wanna argue with the Ref? Don't like the call? Go ahead and make your own!