Lost in the A-Rod-Jeter "love-lost" fest has been the story of longtime Yankee Bernie Williams. As the two infielders indulge the reporters with sound bites on their relationship, Williams continues to sit sans-media attention and wait for a little more respect. Many players are standing up for the loyal centerfielder. The Yankees are walking a fine line with regards to how their treating a long time veteran and signs of a rift between the organization and closer Mariano Rivera are evident. It's obvious that pinstripe lifers Jorge Posada and Rivera, as well as their leader Joe Torre, are doing all they can to ensure Williams spot on the roster.
On the surface this issue seems complex. Do the Yankees owe him better treatment? There's a lot of grey area. Yes, he's had an amazing career. Yes, he's still capable of producing. Does that necessarily mean they have to guarantee him a coveted roster spot? Unfortunately, no they do not. It's actually surprisingly simple. Brian Cashman's decision to platoon at first and shift Giambi to DH keeps the team from holding on to a fifth outfielder. Anyone capable of rational thought knows that Melky Cabrera is better suited for the primary backup slot, so it leaves no room for Williams. The bigger problem I have is that, with the re-signing of Miguel Cairo, they're planning to keep four players on the roster capable of playing first base yet only four capable of playing the outfield. Considering two corner outfielders got injured last year, this does not seem to make a whole lot of sense. Forget his years of loyalty. Forget what the organization owes to him. Even put aside what it could mean to the future of Rivera in pinstripes. The Yankees need Williams in camp because a fifth outfielder is more important than carrying three first basemen.
Hopefully the team re-considers their roster plans and makes sure Bernie is in camp. According to Jon Heyman of SI, the waiting game may indicate he's more willing to take the Yankees offer.
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2 comments:
Jon,
I appreciate the work you to do keep us informed daily with your take on the sports world. You are a good writer, and I enjoy reading your thoughts. However, I believe I speak for many when I say I simply cannot take this Yankees coverage. Nobody cares about the soap opera. Maybe if they were still a championship team it would be different, but until that happens I suggest you take it easy on the coverage. There is stuff that is far more interesting, such as watching grass grow and paint dry. There I recommend that in order to keep this loyal component of your readership on board, that for lent you give up the Yankees (or at least writing about them).
I obviously disagree with Jess. The Yankees are not "a hot story," they are not any story. I will help Jon out here by contributing a much more interesting sports story:
This afternoon I was listening to sports radio on my way home and they were discussing an incident involving Tennessee Titants CB Pacman Jones. There was a shooting at a strip club while Jones was there. There are various reports about any involvement by him, but there is talk of him starting something by "biting a stripper."
Nothing here is that surprising given the sports world and Pacman's personal history. What was great though, was that the radio host referred to Pacman as a "thug." A few minutes later a young gentleman, probably 25-30 years old, called in and was very upset saying to the host (in all seriousness without a sarcastic bone in his body) "Don't call Pacman a thug. He's not a thug. He didn't shoot anyone, and seriously, who HASN'T bit a stripper at some point in there life? I know I have and so have most people I know."
The host's only reply was "Lord Almighty."
I thought this was great. Maybe Pacman IS getting a bad rap. I'm glad this guy called to remind us that before we get on Pacman's back, we all need to look ourselves in the mirror and ask "Do I bite strippers rountinely?"
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