Cashman attacks Bernie Williams

Cashman vs Bernie: The feud continues

New Jersey:
William Paterson University

When asked about former Yankess legend Bernie Williams, general manager Brian Cashman said Williams spent too much time with his music career “and that took away from his play” on the field.

He also said Williams had a “terrible season” in 2005 and Joe Torre was wrong to play Bernie as often as he did in 2006 because better players were available.

Bernie was at the Greentree Country Club on Saturday night to participate in another charity dinner and auction on behalf of Hillside Food Outreach, along with former teammate Paul O’Neil.

When a reporter told Bernie of Cashman’s attack, Williams first said he did not want to comment. But, after a pause and a deep breath, he said:

“I don’t think he has any basis to say anything like that. Let me put it this way: Questioning a person’s commitment to the team is a very serious accusation, at least in my book.”

“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion. I haven’t really talked to him about what he said. But I want to.”

“Nothing has happened [in terms of being offered a position with the team or being honored]. Players that have played for the Yankees always feel they’re part of a family. I still feel I’m part of that family because I played for them my whole career. But nothing has happened.”

Regarding his charity work in New York:

“I feel like I can have an impact in people’s lives in this community.This is where I live, and I know the winter gets cold. It’s important for people without resources to be able to get a warm meal. I’m happy to be able to do this.”

My opinion:

According to books I’ve read, Cashman never forgave Bernie for flirting with the Red Sox as a free agent after 1998. Cashman wanted Albert Belle instead. When Belle snubbed the Yanks, Cashman was forced to crawl back to Bernie and give him what he wanted. Belle, of course, eventually got injured and retired after a few years, so Cashman looked like an idiot.

Now, regarding Cashman’s assertion that Bernie should not have played as much as he did in 2006- after Godzilla and Sheffield went down, Joe Torre could have played Craig Wilson, Aaron Guile, or Bubba Crosby instead of Bernie. Was there really any choice? Bernie was excellent against left-handed pitchers, and Joe probably used him too much against righties, but it not like those other three guys would have done better. Cashman was way off on that.

2005? Yeah, Bernie had a bad year- he was getting older and had surgery in 2003.

But to attack Bernie’s character by saying he was focused on his music career? What an unprofessional low blow. Sure, Bernie never was the type of player to get attention (like Derek, A-Rod, etc.) or express emotions, and for years people believed that he was indifferent about the game, but he would never purposely “suck” like Cashman is saying.

I’m sure Cashman will claim he was misquoted or whatever. But the bottom line is the Yankees organization still never had a “Bernie Williams Day” or have tried to extend the olive branch to a Yankees legend, and 4-time World Champion.

Bernie saying farewell to his fans.

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