From the "give it up already, dude" file:
Bernie hasn't been on a major league roster since the final game of the 2006 season (AKA "The Year the Yankees Coughed it up to the Tigers and Ruined My Weekend in Vegas"), but he is not content to bask in our adoration and enjoy his twilight years. Despite there being no signs of any interest in him as a player from any team (much less the Yanks), Bernie has yet to retire and has even said he may never do so.
After almost two years of living the recluse life (and by that I mean he was harboring a grudge against the Cash Man for choosing sensibility over sentimentality), Bernie made his triumphant return to New York last September when the Yanks bid adieu to the old stadium, looking the whole time like he was half a second away from trapping Damon in a closet, stealing his jersey and taking the field in his place. Apparently jogging around the infield that night only served to further convince him that he is still capable of playing. Since then he's signed on to play for Puerto Rico in this Spring's WBC, and this week he's down in Tampa working out with his old crew and even hit some pitches off the Wangster.
It's pretty obvious to me that there is virtually zero chance of Bernie ever playing in the MLB again, but I hope someone has (gently, perhaps with a Torre-supplied pat on the back) relayed that information to the man himself. His refusal to retire is a tad on the pathetic side and leaves everyone in limbo - how can your number be retired if you're pretending to be a viable active player? I'm crossing my fingers that his WBC experience will serve as a lovely and fulfilling last hurrah and he can finally bow out with some dignity.
Watching Rickey Henderson play on the Surf Dawgs was a little bit sad. Let's not repeat that.
I'm convinced it's to help his album sales. Buy Moving Forward on April 14.
ReplyDeleteCome on YC, I know A-joke, eh A-roid, eh A-rod has upset you a greatly. But why the hate towards Bernie? He was treated like yesterday's trash by the Cashman and replaced by somebody with an even weaker arm (Damon). He could mentor Melky and Gartner maybe even sign a Clemens like contract and come back to the club after the WBC and his concert in April.
ReplyDeleteGo Bernie go!!
Good Luck
JG
I love Bernie - one of my all-time faves, no question. I just think it's time to officially hang it up and move on to the next stage, which hopefully includes coaching or something else that will keep him in the baseball world!
ReplyDeleteAccording to a Taiwanese report I read on yahoo, Bernie was able to knock Wang's sinkers out. Maybe things would work out for him.
ReplyDeleteI think Bernie could still be a make a positive impact as a pinch hitter/5th Outfielder for one more season. I just wish Cash would of given Bernie a major league contract in '07 so he could of finished his career a Yankee.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the WBC should be a last hoorah for Bernie.
ReplyDeleteHe's a good guy. Would likely make a good coach.