NEW YORK (AP) -Bernie Williams jogged to his old spot in center field, filling out those pinstripes nicely with that familiar No. 51 on his back.
For a minute, it seemed as though he must be back in the starting lineup.
Williams returned to Yankee Stadium for farewell festivities Sunday night, his first trip to the old ballpark since New York let him go after the 2006 season.
“I think it’s no question in my mind that I had to be here,” he said. “I figured this is a good time.”
Williams was the final ex-player introduced during a 65-minute pregame ceremony, drawing one of the loudest ovations from the sellout crowd. He tipped his cap twice and waved to fans, joining six Hall of Famers, among others, on a field dotted with Yankees greats in full uniform.
“I feel as nervous as I was before a playoff game, just to see the reaction,” Williams said before the ceremony. “It’s going to be a very emotional moment for me.”
ite, he made five All-Star teams, won four Gold Gloves and was selected MVP of the 1996 AL championship series.
As his legs and shoulders began to fail him, Williams would up with a diminished role late in his career. The Yankees offered him only a minor league contract to come to spring training in 2007, but he turned it down even though he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing again.
Now 40, Williams said he harbors no ill feelings toward the organization.
“I don’t think there was any bad blood between me and the Yankees,” he said.
Williams said he didn’t want to come to the stadium and be a distraction. When he arrived by car Sunday, he had his driver take a lap around the ballpark so he could soak in the scene before he got out.
“It was hard for me because I missed the game a lot,” Williams said, referring to the last couple of years. “It was just a matter of trying to stay away for my peace of mind, also.”
Williams counted off several fond Yankee Stadium memories that stand out – including hearing Paul Simon sing “Mrs. Robinson” in center field and a curtain call he took in his shower shoes and undershirt after winning the 1998 AL batting title.
“Definitely my home away from home,” Williams said, adding that he might be interested in a future role with the club. “There’s a part of me that feels very sad about watching this stadium go.”
tarist, Williams was asked what piece of music would be appropriate for Sunday night.
“A very sad rendition of ‘Take Me Out To the Ball Game,”’ he said.
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