Happy Birthday, Bernie Williams!

Today is Yankees legend Bernie Williams’ birthday! Cheers!

The pioneer of the homegrown core that led the Yankees of the 1990s into the history books turns 52 today.

During the early days of this pandemic lockdown, I took the down time to catch up on progressive rock music, particularly the Canadian trio Rush. While I’ve always enjoyed the band’s music, until I revisited it, I never fully appreciated its magnificent blend of extravagance and power.

Back in the late-90s and at the heart of those great championship New York Yankees teams was a player, who, now, 14 years after his last at-bat, evokes a very similar reverence and appreciation.  We all knew when we watched Bernie Williams, we were watching greatness. But looking back now one truly appreciates his indispensable role as a member of that dynasty.

1992 was a turning point season for the Yankees. It was Buck Showalter’s first season as manager and some of the young talent he and GM Gene Michael had been allowed to retain and nurture during George Steinbrenner’s exile from MLB was starting to make it to the majors.

One such talent was a lanky, bespectacled outfielder named Bernie Williams. The kid had raw tools but to the untrained eye he wasn’t anything special. In fact, another young outfielder named Roberto Kelly seemed to have more promise.

The Yankees finished the year 76-86, 20 games out of first place.

That offseason Michael made moves that would lay the foundation for one of the greatest teams of all time. The Yankees signed free agents Wade Boggs and Jimmy Key, and traded the talented Roberto Kelly for a then-mediocre outfielder named Paul O’Neill. Moving Kelly gave Bernie full ownership of center field. And guys like Boggs and O’Neill were instrumental in the patient, get on base approach that defined the team for years to come.

By 1994 and 1995 the Yankees were bonafide contenders again. And the lanky centerfielder was blossoming. From 1995 through 2002, Bernie Williams averaged 177 hits, 32 doubles, 24 home runs, 101 runs batted in, and hit .321. Bernie’s on-base percentage was .406, he slugged .532, and only struck out 84 times per season. He won the AL batting title in 1998, hitting .339 in that record-breaking season. Oh … and he won four Gold Gloves, was a five-time All-Star, and finished in the top 20 of the MVP vote six times.

Bernie’s lethal, switch-hitting bat in the middle of that late-90s lineup was crucial to its success. His smooth defense in CF was also a key component.

It really is baffling that Williams is overlooked, especially when the media and fans speak of the “Core Four” of Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettite and Mariano Rivera. One can argue Williams, as much, if not more, was at the core of the homegrown talent that propelled that team to excellence. And he was first. He played with Don Mattingly and experienced some lean years during the roster makeover.

Again, his steady consistency and quiet demeanor has likely played a role in his under appreciation. He wasn’t the matinee idol Jeter was. He wasn’t the shutdown master Rivera was. Bernie just quietly did great things, like putting the team on his back in the 1996 ALCS vs Baltimore, hitting .474 with a 1.531 OPS and winning the series MVP.

Nowadays, Bernie tours as a classically-trained guitarist and occasionally makes appearances at Yankee Stadium. He stills flies under the radar and always represents the Yankees organization with class and dignity.

Happy Birthday, Bernie! Bern, Baby, Bern!

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