Bernie Williams to Finally Retire

Jim McIsaac

It has been nine years since Bernie Williams last played in a major league, but that will not stop the 46-year-old from having an “official” retirement ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Friday, April 24.

The New York Yankees released a statement on Wednesday announcing the ceremony in which Williams will sign his formal MLB retirement papers. The signing will take place in the form of a press conference before the Yankees square off against the Mets at 7:05 p.m. Williams will also throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch. The presser will begin at 5:45 p.m. and Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman and Assistant General Manager Jean Afterman will be in attendance.

Not only will Williams be making his long overdue official retirement, but the Yanks will also be unveiling a new logo designed to commemorate Williams’ Monument Park plaque and number retirement ceremony, which will take place on May 24.

While Williams’s retirement did not require a formal notice at this point, it is nice to see the former center fielder come back and close the book on what was a spectacular career. A fan favorite, Williams played 16 seasons in the Bronx, finishing with a .297 average, 449 doubles, 287 homer runs and 1,257 RBI. A five-time All-Star and four-time World Series champ, Williams got two shots on the Hall of Fame ballot before falling off in 2013.

Williams was one of the more clutch playoff performers in Yankees history, as he is the franchise’s all-time postseason leader in homers (22) and RBI (80) and ranks second in runs scored, hits and doubles. In 1996 he was named ALCS MVP.