All Things Bubba: Bernie to retire?

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Bernie Williams did a charity concert last night, with Chynna Wilson of Wilson Phillips. He talked to the press beforehand, and said he was going to turn down the Yankees' offer of a minor league contract and spring training invite. He doesn't think he has a legitimate chance to make the team that way, so he's not interested.

So what is he going to do? He didn't seem to know. He talked about how he's got a lot of other interests besides baseball, but added that he didn't mean he was going to retire. When asked if he was considering playing for another team, he said, "Not yet."

My impression is that Bernie is in denial. He's not ready to face the prospect of retirement or of playing for another team yet. Intellectually, he knows his career in pinstripes is likely over. Emotionally, he's struggling to accept it. He understands why the Yankees are doing what they're doing, but he feels hurt and betrayed anyway.

And he's hoping against hope that they change their minds. Maybe the injury bug will bite again. Maybe Melky Cabrera will be traded during spring training. Maybe the entire outfield will be abducted by aliens. If the Yankees call, Bernie will be ready.

Meanwhile...this guy thinks the Yankees will never win another championship with A-Rod on the team. Of course, he's got an ulterior motive. He wants A-Rod to play for the Giants. He claims that San Francisco won't mind that A-Rod is as phony as a $3 dollar bill. New York hates phonies, he says, but SF doesn't care if you're a phony, as long as you put up good numbers.

And in Redsland, Krivsky shocked everyone by signing Arroyo to a two-year extension. Arroyo still had two years left on his deal, and the rumor was he didn't like Cincy and wanted to go back to Boston. But Boston was not a factor. He said he loves Cincinnati, and the fans have "embraced" him. He just wishes more of them would come to the games.

This is good news for Reds fans. Signing Harang and Arroyo to long-term deals is a declaration of serious intentions.

Elsewhere...Kenny Rogers didn't have pine tar on his hand:

According to someone who would know, that substance on Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers' glove in the World Series was the tacky adhesive used by trainers in wrapping ankles.

Then there's this. NESN is planning a reality dating series called Sox Appeal. Each episode will be shot in Fenway Park, at a Red Sox game. An eligible single will spend two innings with each of three different dates, then pick one of them to watch the rest of the game with.

What a dopey idea. I mean, who'd want to date a Red Sox fan? (Just kidding, Lisa, if you're reading this. ;-)

Labels: MLB, Reds, Yankees

posted by BubbaFan, 12:21 PM

4 Comments:

This actually has nothing to do with Bernie and retirement. Just a little tidbit of trivia for you about Bubba. Today his brother Tommy is getting married. Also, this past August Bubba became an uncle for the first time. His sister had a baby girl. Just some "extras" for you. :)

Thanks! I guess this means Bubba is not in Florida yet?

And tell his sister-in-law not to let Tommy get away with giving her one present for both Valentine's Day and their anniversary. ;-)

That's funny. I'll tell Tommy. Bubba came back this past week for the wedding. He was in Arizona doing some conditioning, batting, etc. the last few weeks and is now heading to Florida. He better kick some butt while he's there - there are way too many outfielders showing up at ST. :)

Arizona, eh? Interesting. I read somewhere that Bubba usually works out only in his backyard in Houston in the off-season.

Yes, there are a lot of outfielders vying for a spot. I think he would fit well into the Reds' roster, as long as he avoids crashing into Ryan Freel, anyway. :-) But who knows how it will work out. I expect he will be called up eventually, even if he starts the season in the minors. Their outfield is rather injury-prone.