New York Yankees Editorial: Mason Williams Gives Credit To His Dad

New York Yankees outfielder Mason Williams is no stranger to the harsh sports life a minor league player can have. They often have to come together to find decent living situations that mix well with the back-and-forth living style of a baseball player. However, Williams found it worth nearly hour long trips to the Yanks’ Double-A team in Trenton to live the minor league life with someone who isn’t a stranger to the life a professional athlete leads, his father.

Derwin Williams was a wide receiver for the New England Patriots from 1985-’87, and very well understands what his son has had to go through. Mason was in Trenton for some time lacking confidence from not moving through the Yankees’ system as quickly as he wanted.

Last year he was batting only .223 with a .594 OPS. After keeping confident he could turn his career around, he found himself in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and now he finds himself in the Bronx taking the place of All-Star Jacoby Ellsbury during his injury. With that came support of GM Brian Cashman, talking on how William’s grew on and off the field. If that isn’t enough, Mason showed that promise in his MLB debut, hitting a home run for his first major league hit. That home run was his first one all year, at any level.

When the Yankees play the Tigers on Father’s Day, Derwin will be there to hopefully see Williams get back on the field following his shoulder injury which is labeled as “day-to-day”. The two have no special plans Sunday, but mostly for going out to the ballpark with each other being enough. What more could you ask for as a son or father? Playing for the New York Yankees in front of your dad, or seeing your son play professionally, and reach what he’s worked so hard for, it’s a gift for both sides.

Though reaching the big leagues clearly isn’t enough for Mason, he has been helping the Yankees heavily in a position that has been a mystery without Jacoby there. He finds himself hitting .286, with a .890 OPS, and .318 OBP. Derwin has made it a point to Mason on how to conquer the game in the mental aspect of it as well, which can be just as important as the actual playing. Staying confident through any adversity, or any slump is key.

Had Mason not had that support from his father for all this time, to have it in himself, he very well might not be where he is now. Now it’s up to him to keep showing the Yankees his potential so he stays in the front of the organization’s minds, and his father and the rest of his family will be right there with him for the support he needs to do that.

As any player, whether it be minor leaguers down to young teens, the help from family can never be overrated. Family can be that extra bit of motivation and help to take you to the next step in whatever you do, Happy Father’s Day!

New York Yankees Editorial: Mason Williams Gives Credit To His Dad

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