But those who followed him closely all remember his smile. It is such a part of his character, that it seems as if it is a permanent part of his body. The rest of us were created with a mouth, Williams was given a smile. (more…)

• Mark Feinsand argues that #20 deserves a spot in Monument Park.
• Yogi Berra has some nice words to say about Posada as a player and as a person.
• Jack Curry shares his memories of Jorge.
• Tyler Kepner of the NY Times looks at where Jorge ranks among all-time Yankees catchers.

The other big news yesterday was the Hall of Fame announcement. Congratulations to Barry Larkin on his election!

• Bernie Williams got a total of 55 votes out of the 573 ballots submitted (9.6%). He has a LONG way to go if he is ever going to be elected, but the fact that he exceed the 5% mark means that he will remain on the ballot for at least one more year.
• As for Don Mattingly, this was his 12th year on the ballot, and he received a total of 17.8% of the votes. With only 3 years left of eligibility, it looks as though Mattingly will not be inducted into Cooperstown.

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Barry Larkin – 72.7 %
Tim Raines – 63.6 %
Edgar Martinez – 47.7 %
Lee Smith – 45.5%
Don Mattingly – 40.9%
Alan Trammell – 40.9%
Jack Morris – 38.6%
Dale Murphy – 36.4%
Mark McGwire – 29.5%
Larry Walker – 29.5%
Fred McGriff – 25.0%
Rafael Palmeiro – 18.2%
Bernie Williams – 11.4%
Juan Gonzalez – 6.8%

Jeremy Burnitz. Bill Mueller, Tim Salmon, Terry Mulholland, Phil Nevin and Brad Radke each received less than 5% of the vote, and Eric Young, Tony Womack, Ruben Sierra, Javy Lopez, Brian Jordan, Vinny Castilla received no votes at all.

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The offense finally solved Juan Nicasio in the fifth inning as Robbie Cano broke up a perfect game with a one-out single to left. Swish Dog followed with a homer to right and Posada followed suit with a solo jaunt into the Yanks’ bullpen. It was just the third time this season that the Yanks have hit back-to-back homers, the last coming on May 8 at Texas when Jeet and Grandy went yard.

The Yanks added a run in each of the next three innings to seal the victory. A-Rod knocked in Gardy in the sixth and now has a seven-game hitting streak and a six-game RBI streak. Eddie Nunez had an RBI single in the seventh and Tex crushed a solo homer to left in the eighth. It was Tex’ 298th career homer and 23rd this season, which ties him with Jose Bautista for the ML lead.

Ivan Nova didn’t have as good a game as he did his last time out, but he did enough to keep the team in the game. SuperNova went six innings and gave up four runs on six hits — including a career-high three homers — with four strikeouts to three walks. He wasn’t great by any means, but he kept the team in the game for the most part. The bullpen took it from there.

Ayala came in for the seventh and gave up a single to Chris Iannetta, but it was lights out from there as Boone Logan retired the next three batters in order. He had his third straight great outing and lowered his ERA from 3.50 to 3.32. Baby steps.

D-Rob was lights out as usual, fanning two in a perfect eighth, and Mo struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save. D-Rob has now struck out at least one batter in 23 of his last 25 appearances, and the Yanks moved to 22-4 in day games this season.

The actual game was almost as good as the 65th old timers’ game, which saw Bernie Williams (first timer) hit a double and Tino Martinez crush a two-run homer in a 2-0 affair. Joe Torre also made his first appearance at OTD and got the biggest ovation out of anyone, narrowly edging Bernie.

The team is off tomorrow before welcoming the Brewers for a three-game set starting on Tuesday.

So, Bernie Williams is mulling over a comeback after his stint with the Puerto Rican team at the World Baseball Classic, and it wouldn’t necessarily be with the New York Yankees either. Williams played 16 seasons with the Yankees from 1991-2006 and never officially retired, so a return for a 17th season with the Bronx Bombers is quite possible. You never know, right? But where would he play?

At centerfield, it’s a tight race between Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera and I don’t see Bernie having the range to cover center anymore. Call me crazy, but the guy is 40 years old. Unless he shoots himself up with some of that A-Rod juice, Williams won’t be as pliable, quick, or have the endurance to survive a whole season of manning the middle of the outfield.

How about designated hitter then? Forget it as there are already four players on the depth chart for this position – Hideki Matsui, Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada, as well as Johnny Damon. So, basically, it comes down to this – thanks for 16 seasons, Bernie, but there just isn’t spot for you on the team, but you’ll always have a spot in our hearts.