Sweet! Never had the top spot before. I'd like to thank my family, the Yankee staff, Alex and Cliff, my fellow Banterers, and of course Darryl Strawberry.

1 and i'd like to thank you for making me giggle after a long day of work! : )

i'd much rather pena or choi than scrabble. or guiel or craig wilson, for that matter...

it is going to be sooo sad to see bernabe go. : (

0 - I thought SG at the RLYW had a chart showing Scrabble projected about as well as anybody available economically.

No, actually he didn't compare the above:
http://yankeefan.blogspot.com/2006/12/whos-on-first.html
More:
http://ndai.blogspot.com/2007/01/mientkiewicz-or-why-steven-goldman-is.html

Slogging through the thick evening traffic on 80 West, I caught every word of Kay's Murcer "event" the other day. You had to just smile listening to Bobby graciously accepting the praise and prayers of his fans, acknowledging how blessed he is.
Be strong, Bobby.

Good ole Bernie? Yeah, I'd still rather see the at-bats wasted on him than Doug Out ("Stinky Minky" -- good one, Cliff) but I agree it's time for Bernie to pass the baton (bat on) to the next generation of Yankees.

Dig this excellent passage from Sherman today:

"I have enjoyed chatting with Williams as much as any player during the years. He was unique, an artist in a jockstrap. He was contemplative. He actually considered questions, and was a cliche-free zone. He was bright, articulate and insightful in his second language. He was polite, dare I say a gentleman in a forum that does not beget many."

It's sad to read about Bernie's qualities in the past tense, eulogized while he still holds hope for another at-bat for the Yanks.

I'd like to see him get a few televised swings during Spring Training just for old time's sake -- and I hope he's getting ready to embrace the warm farewell he's going to receive.

The Journal News caught up with Bernie at a gig last night.

http://tinyurl.com/2xx98t

Somewhat off-topic, but I guess related to Bernie, as pinch hitting was supposed to be his primary role last year. Does anyone know if there are any studies about pinch hitters? I'm thinking along the lines of what type/age of player tends to succeed in the role consistently, if that's even possible, and what counts as 'success' as a pinch hitter.

I continue to hope Bernie does retire, but I understand why he's hanging on. The needs of the Yanks outweigh the needs of Bernie, though, and so I think we've seen his last MLB at bat in pinstripes.

0 BTW, I have just have to say, Pete Abraham is hilarious:

"Having been on vacation, I have no idea what this will be about. I assume they've made some kind of partnership with a team from Asia. Either that or they're invading some small country."

That was what I now think of as a Sliced-level funny (i.e., I laughed out loud and my co-workers are looking at me wondering what's so funny).

6 Shaun, Hardball Times had this piece on pitchers as pinch hitters, the way it used to be:

http://tinyurl.com/28clbq

Who knows what untapped pinch-hitting prowess secretly lurks in the Yankees bullpen?

The hardball piece also cites a book called "Stand and Deliver: A History of Pinch-Hitting" which I've been meaning to pick up.

8 Thanks, Sliced! I'll check it out.

While I hope Bernie "wants" to retire, there is a part of me that thinks the Yankees owe it to him to bring him back. Fans always complain about loyalty, but as Bernie stated, it is a two way street. There is no reason the Yankees can't slot Bernie into the 25-man in place of some retread reliever or pathetic 1B platoon of Andy Phillips and Doug M.

Bernie is still a useful RH bat off the bench. Although a very limited role for sure, he can still make a contribution. Bernie is a Yankee and should stay that way.

10 "While I hope Bernie "wants" to retire, there is a part of me that thinks the Yankees owe it to him to bring him back."

What you need is a replacement part... and has Cliff got the deal for you! Tell 'im, Sliced... >;)

10 Let me preface this argument with the fact that I love Bernie, however, there is no space for him on this team. A bench player should be a capable fielder (to be used as a LIDR), speedster (a pinch runner) or a good pinch hitter. Bernie is none of these things. His defense in the OF is awful, and there's no evidence at all that he can learn to play 1B this late in his career. Last year (in an admittedly small sample size) he was terrible as a pinch hitter, and he was always bad at stealing bases. His only purpose on the team would be to take ABs away from Melky, which makes no sense. The Yankees were loyal last year to take him on, but how many years do they have to be loyal for? He was supposed to retire 2 years ago, did not, last year and still hasn't. I love the guy, but from a baseball standpoint, its time to move on. He will hurt the team moving forward.

4 I have to give Jay Jaffe credit for "Stinky Minky." I got it from him.

As for Bernie's pinch-hitting, he's a career .217/.351/.326 hitter in the role (57 plate appearances). A full 22 of those PAs came last year and he went 3 for 19 with three walks. Terribly small samples, but such is the nature of the job.

The big question is, who is he going to pinch hit for? The only time he'd be a better option than the starter would be when the ninth spot in the order (the first base platoon) is facing a lefty, and in those situations the opposing manager could easily bring in a righty to turn Bernie around and make him useless (remember the lefty Bernie hit .261/.305/.383 last year, which basically means he was Nick Green). What's more, using Bernie as a pinch hitter for the first baseman is a three-player move (starting 1B, PH Bernie, defensive replacement 1B). A tremendous waste of resources for what's at best a tiny strategic advantage (if any at all given Bernie's struggles in the role last year and the fact that he'll be 39 before the season's over).

I'm sorry, I love Bernie, but he's absolutely useless to the Yankees at this point.

Love Bernie, but it's time for him to be a fulltime musician.

Good news on Bobby. Damn shame I won't be able to hear him thanks to Bud's idiotic Directv deal.

Hey, no props? I beat Tyler Kepner on the Bernie idea by a week:

http://tinyurl.com/2qhfvl

15 Prop-master!

15 The "minor league invite then retire after Spring Training and let him pick a position with the team" is a good idea, Steve, and I hope Bernie considers it.

But part of me thinks saying anything else, like, "If an injury pops up, you're the guy we call" is a disaster. Say Giambi were to suffer an injury and would miss the first half of the season. I hope the Yanks could do a lot better than Bernie as a replacement. Similarly, say an OF goes down to injury for a long time, making Melky a full time player. I would much rather have able-to-play defense Kevin Thompson as the 4th OF over Bernie. Especially because, as always, Torre would play Bernie far too often, to the Yanks' detriment.

I love Bernie too, but as Cliff and tommyl showed above, he's pretty useless to the Yanks even in the face of injury.

The moment the Yanks announce "Bernie Williams Day" at the Stadium, I will find a way to be there, unless its the day my second child is due. Hmmm . . . I wonder if my wife would accept Bernie as a middle name for this one . . .

17 ... not if its a girl ....

(then perhaps Bernice, Bernadette)

While I'd like to see Bernie just retire, I feel he's being shortchanged on his value the team.

Sure, he's no longer got homerun power and that throws off the SLG & OPS numbers that many people use to guage a hitter's value. But Bernie is still a great doubles hitter. Yes, I said great. In fact, he was the 2nd best doubles hitter on the team last year behind only Robinson Cano.

Based on Plate Appearances (400 or more):

Cano 508PA - 41 dbls - 8.50%
Bernie 462PA - 29 dbls - 6.27%
Jeter 715PA - 39 dbls - 5.45%
Damon 593PA - 35 dbls - 5.21%
Melky 524PA - 26 dbls - 4.96%
Jorge 545PA - 27 dbls - 4.95%
Giambi 579PA - 25 dbls - 4.31%
Arod 674PA - 26 dbls - 3.85%

While a double isn't as sexy as a home run, it's still a rally-starter or a base-clearer. Despite Bernie's age, slowness, failing eyesight and overall decrepitude, he can still hit the doubles with the best of them.

Just saying. Let's not shortchange him here.

I agree that there is no room for Bernie, but should the Yankees make room?

Personally, if Bernie would promise to retire next season, then I'd sacrifice someone like Phillips and let Minky be the full-time 1B for now (until the M's are ready to dump Sexson). What value does Phillips have anyway? Albeit a PR move, I'd rather use the spot for Bernie than a guy like Phillips.

Quite frankly, because the Yankee bench is so weak, that last roster spot shouldn't have an impact on winning the division/World Series. Therefore, I'd rather keep Bernie happy and keep him out of another uniform.

20 "Quite frankly, because the Yankee bench is so weak, that last roster spot shouldn't have an impact on winning the division/World Series."

You'd think so, and once upon a time, I did too. But take a look at the bench in the '01 Serious, where the Yanks' options to pinch hit late in games were awful at best and didn't-belong-on-a-major-league-bench at worst. One can make a very convincing argument that this did contribute heavily to the Yanks losing the '01 Serious, and IIRC, someone did (I don't remember who, though - it might have been Cliff).

If Bernie wants to put on another uniform, it won't be the end of the world. The Babe did it, Yogi did it, Reggie did it, Randolph did it, the list goes on.

Reggie still had pop when the Yankees traded him, unless you're referring to his last year in Oakland before he retired.

My hope is that if Bernie wants to stick around, it's as a coach. He could impart a whole lot to the youngsters about work ethic; staying in good shape and being focused. I wonder if Bernie looks at Paul O'Neill, who had to be carried off, as a motivator for his desire to continue (I hope it's not Rickey H.) We'll see come Spring Training.

20 Because Phillips can play several IF defensive positions. There is also a possible upside to Andy, whereas there is none for Bernie. If you want the Yankees to make decisions based on PR moves, that's fine, but then you can't demand they win every year as well. I love Bernie, but the Yankees are a lesser team with him on it.

19 Bernie's EqA last year was .260, that is the definition of league average. Melky gave the same EqA, with much better defense and improved throughout the year.

17 Can't be much worse than activating Chris Chambliss for an AB...

A Bronx vs Brooklyn feud is brewing......

With the Boss Behind Bars, a Borough Battle Brews
BY JERRY CAPECI
January 25, 2007
URL: http://www.nysun.com/article/47392

Fifty years after zealous Yankees and Dodgers fans duked it out in the bleachers of Yankee Stadium and Ebbets Field, there's a new Bronx-Brooklyn feud brewing that could be every bit as intense.

This one is between factions of the Luchese crime family, and through it hasn't gotten bloody like the all-out Colombo family civil war that left 12 dead around the city in the early 1990s, law enforcement sources say the potential for violence clearly exists.

Sources say the feud has been festering for more than a year and began heating up last summer. The issue — no surprise — is control of lucrative mob schemes.

"Whenever you have mobsters wrangling over money, murder is always a distinct possibility" is how one law enforcer put it.

I think people are making the wrong comparison. the choice shouldn't be between Bernie and, say, Andy Phillips; it should be between Bernie and the @#%^ 12th pitcher. Every year the Yankees make sure to save one bullpen spot for a pitcher Joe doesn't like and never uses - I think of it as the Randy Choate chair.

I would much, much rather have another bench player than that last stupid pitcher. I'm not saying Bernie's the answer, but I think that's the choice.

And if Bernie stays in shape and sits by a phone that never rings, well, he's in good company. Rickey Henderson's still waiting for that call, and you know he's still in shape.

15 Sorry, Steve, I didn't see that post.

10 williamnyy23, I'm confused. You think the Yankees "owe" it to Bernie to bring him back due to his loyalty, but you are okay with MLB disregarding its most loyal fans by forcing them to switch to DirecTV. I'm not trying to rehash yesterday's thread, but I have to ask: Since baseball is a "business", shouldn't the Yankees be able to make the same kind of sound business decision concerning GOB that you say Bud Selig is making concerning DTV?

10 "Fans always complain about loyalty, but as Bernie stated, it is a two way street."

I think the Yanks showed loyalty by outbidding the Red Sox by a fair margin in 1999, by opting out of taking Carlos Beltran in 2005, and by giving him a contract last year. He's had more loyalty than anyone I can think of.

He's was a great player. In 2007, stick a fork in 'im.

29 The Beltran move wasn't out of loyalty to Bernie, it was out of Giambi-induced shark hands on long-term big-money contracts and perhaps a bit of crying poor after having sunk their bread into Pavano and Wright. Regardless of why, it was the final mistake of a broken system. Thank Cashman that's behind us now.

28 (Hee-hee) Let it go, Bama. Perpetual motion is a figment of our imagination, remember? >;)

30 I think it was immediately after the Unit trade/extension that they suddenly decided they didn't have any more big bucks to spend.

This may be off topic for this discussion, but going back to the Direct TV discussion for a minute....Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy said on their XM show yesterday that it was their understanding that this deal was going to take place in 2009. Has anyone heard anything else about this? Or is the deal to begin this coming season?

33 I would be shocked if Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy have ever been right about anything.

33 I think they are thinking about the new baseball channel that is scheduled to start in 2009. Everything I have read says that the new deal with DirecTV starts this season.

32 I never really bought into the RJ or Beltran as an either/or proposition argument, but that's certainly more feasable than the Yankees passing on Beltran out of loyalty to Bernie.

36 If I recall correctly, Bernie all but suggested Beltran become his successor - so loyalty to Bernie probably had nothing to do with it.

I was very surprised (and disappointed) they passed on him.

Think about it. Had the Yanks signed Beltran instead of Unit:

- the Yanks would probably still have Navarro as the backup catcher -- and our pal Jim Dean would be writing daily odes to Cashman -- or repeatedly criticizing the Yanks lack of RHP prospects.

- Mike Cameron would probably still be on the Mets.

- Damon would probably still be in Boston, and because of that, the Red Sox might not have gone as crazy to sign Matsuzaka and he'd be a Met now.

31 Sorry, I'll let it go... I'm not someone who likes to keep something going. ;-)

"This perpetual motion machine Lisa made is a joke, it just keeps going faster and faster," -- Homer Simpson

36 I'm not sure I buy the loyalty to Bernie explanation, except when it comes to Torre.

But what prevented them from getting a CF for 2005?

At least in 2004 they got Lofton, even as Torre didn't play him. Then in 2005 they go through Bubba to Womack to Reese to Bernie back to Bubba colliding with Shef in Game 5.

37 Ha! Speak of this devil...

37 That last point's debateable; the Mets might not have been in a disposition to make such a high bid for him in the first place. Beltran had a lot to do with them doing so well that getting DM would be considered a key acq as opposed to taking a chance on rebuilding. But as you quite correctly stated, Jim Dean would definitely find something to complain about.

40 Yeah, what's the difference between scrambled eggs and deviled eggs?

42 And why wouldn't Eggs Benedict turn your stomach?

21 I am not sure you can argue the bench killed the Yanks in 2001 when they were handled easily in three loses and had Mo on the mound to close out game 7. Having said that, your point would be relevant if the option was Bernie or a quality bench player. Unfortunately, it isn't. In a big spot, wouldn't you rather have Bernie batting over Phillips anyway?

23 Andy Phillips will be 30 on opening day…I don't think he has much upside. Also, while solid at 1B, I don't think you'd want Phillips playing anywhere else. Besides, even if he was a great defender elsewhere, Torre is going to play Cairo anyway.

26 That's not a bad thought either, although this year, hopefully that 12th pitchers spot will be going to a quality young arm instead of Scott Erickson.

28 I also don't want to rehash the issue because the debate wasn't very productive, but yes, they should be able to make a "business" decision with Bernie. I am not arguing that they shouldn't, but am instead suggesting that the other options do not merit cutting ties with Bernie.

I also don't see validity in your analogy. Bernie and the Yankees have a personal and professional business relationship that is specific to him. The EI issue involves a general availability issue that is potentially detrimental to a small few and potentially beneficial to not only the sport, but also fans in general (if it means increased investment in innovative products and the financial health of the league). Also, I would imagine that more Yankee fans feel strongly about Bernie one way or the other than care about the EI issue.

29 The Yankees paid Bernie fair market value in 1999. That's not exactly showing loyalty. I'm sure Bernie could have squeezed even more money out of the Sox, or another team, if he really wanted. Regardless, loyalty really comes into play when one side doesn't need the other, which is the case right now. As for Beltran, if the Yankees could have afforded him, it would have been bye-bye Bernie.

Had the Yanks signed Beltran instead of Unit? Would he have ever survived his first year in NY?

Excellent point 26

Now the reason Bernie is twisting in the wind is the Melky trade for starting pitching (Johan my Johan). Melky to the twinkies + young arms and Bernie gets his last year and his last Serious Appearance. Twinkies get to spin off Torii Hunter and cut further payroll.

This is just so happening I have to pinch myself in disbelief.Trade talks will be going down in China where Cash can get in under the radar by talking about "Yo-Han" and "the year of the pig (matsuzaka)"

what, you think I make this stuff up?

39 BTW: Remember that someone (not the GM because he wasn't in "control" yet) traded Lofton for a RHRP (Felix) in 2005. Brilliant!

42 Mmmm....eggs.

But I actually don't complain about much else in life. I'm pretty chill, Will. I just think the GM could do better, esp. when he's had years to do so. See I find it hard to believe that because of the meddling Tampa contingent he couldn't:

a) Get a CF prospect with the impending doom of Bernie

b) Get a C prospect with the impending doom of Jorge.

c) Get a 1B prospect with the impending doom of Giambi.

It doesn't take a genius to realize that all three have been needed for at least three years now.

Given the last two years now, it's obvious Cashman sees there's no need