41 Facts About Bernie Williams

Bernie Williams played his entire 16-year career in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees from 1991 through 2006.

Center fielder, Williams was a member of four World Series championship teams with the Yankees.

Bernie Williams was a five-time All-Star and won four Gold Glove Awards, a Silver Slugger Award, the American League batting title in 1998, and the 1996 AL Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award.

Bernie Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest switch-hitting center fielders in history.

Bernie Williams was active in track and field, winning medals at an international meet at the age of 15.

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At the 1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Bernie Williams won gold in the 200 metres, 400 m, 4 × 100 m relay, and 4 × 400 m relay events for competitors under the age of 17, and the silver medal for the 4 × 100 m relay among competitors younger than 20.

However, Bernie Williams was a few months shy of his 17th birthday, when he would become eligible to sign with an MLB team.

Bernie Williams managed to break into the majors in 1991 to replace the injured Roberto Kelly for the second half of that season.

Bernie Williams was demoted to the minors until Danny Tartabull was injured, and Williams earned his stay at center by putting up solid numbers.

Bernie Williams had become the regular Yankees center fielder by 1993.

However, Bernie Williams got off to a slow start that season, and Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner, impatient with Bernie Williams, insisted that Gene Michael, the team's general manager, trade him.

Bernie Williams was a consistent hitter but only had mild home run power.

Bernie Williams hit 18 home runs and led the team in runs, hits, total bases and stolen bases.

Bernie Williams picked up where he left off in the ALCS against Baltimore, belting an 11th-inning walk-off homer in Game 1.

In 1999, Bernie Williams recorded 200+ hits for the first time in his career and won his third straight Gold Glove Award.

In 2002, Bernie Williams won the only Silver Slugger Award of his career, as he hit.

Bernie Williams started 99 games in center field and 22 games as designated hitter, but his already weak arm was highlighted as his fielding and batting abilities considerably weakened.

In 2006, Bernie Williams saw a good amount of playing time in the corner outfield spots with both Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield out with wrist injuries, and did spot duty in center field on days when starting center fielder Johnny Damon was given time off to rest, playing more than was expected when he signed his one-year extension with the Yankees in 2006.

Bernie Williams played for Puerto Rico in the 2006 MLB World Baseball Classic, joining Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Mike Lowell, Javier Vazquez, and Jose Vidro amongst others representing the island possession in a team managed by St Louis Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo.

On July 26,2006, Bernie Williams got his 2,300th career hit, becoming the 11th active player in the Majors with 2,300 or more career hits.

Bernie Williams continued to climb the Yankees record books by hitting his 443rd career double on August 16,2006, surpassing then-bench coach Don Mattingly for second-most as a Yankee.

Bernie Williams had hoped to return to the Yankees in 2007 and was willing to accept a role as a back-up outfielder and pinch hitter.

Bernie Williams wanted a guaranteed roster spot and declined the invitation.

On September 21,2008, Bernie Williams made his first return to Yankee Stadium since 2006 for the ceremonies preceding the final game at the stadium.

Bernie Williams was the last former player to be introduced and received a standing ovation that lasted a minute and 42 seconds.

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Bernie Williams was interested in gauging his condition prior to possibly participating in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

On February 19,2009, Bernie Williams worked out with the Yankees at the team's spring training complex.

Bernie Williams hinted that if he performed well in the World Baseball Classic he might consider returning to the Yankees.

At the February 2011 retirement press conference for Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams acknowledged that his career was over and stated that he would officially announce his retirement soon thereafter.

Bernie Williams officially retired on April 24,2015, with the Yankees.

Bernie Williams is third all-time in postseason home runs and games played while being second in doubles, total hits, walks, total bases, and runs scored.

Bernie Williams appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2012.

Classically trained guitarist, Bernie Williams plays and composes music with influences that include jazz, classical, pop, Brazilian, and Latin sounds.

Bernie Williams signed with Paul McCartney's publishing company, MPL Communications, and his major label debut, The Journey Within, was released on June 22,2003.

Also joining Bernie Williams was an all-star ensemble of musicians including multiple Grammy-winning banjo player Bela Fleck, keyboardist David Sancious, percussionist Luis Conte, bassist Leland Sklar, guitarist Tim Pierce, and drummers Kenny Aronoff and Shawn Pelton, among others.

Bernie Williams was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Moving Forward.

Bernie Williams received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music on May 13,2016.

Bernie Williams performed onstage with students and signed some guitars to be auctioned.

In July 2018, Bernie Williams went to Puerto Rico to take part in a special episode of Bar Rescue on the Paramount Network to help people affected by Hurricane Maria, rebuilding a bar and baseball field.

On June 14,2018, Bernie Williams stated he was divorced during an interview on ESPN's Highly Questionable.

Bernie Williams appeared on an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld as himself.