Bernie on Jeter: I don't think he's going anywhere
Former New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams throws out a ceremonial pitch before Game 4 of baseball's American League Championship Series between the Yankees and Texas Rangers Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, in New York. Credit: AP
WAYNE, N.J. - Father Time is quite the sprinter, Bernie Williams acknowledged, but the former Yankee doesn't believe ex-teammates and current free agents Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are soon to be run down.
"The laws of nature say there's got to be a point that will have to move on," he said, "but hopefully not next year."
The centerfielder-turned-guitarist spoke to reporters Friday night at William Paterson University before performing with the school's jazz band.
Williams said Jeter, 36, hasn't sought his advice on free agency, nor would he have much to offer, but he hopes the star shortstop will reach an agreement on a contract extension with the Yankees, and amicably.
"I don't think he wants to go anywhere," Williams said of Jeter, a teammate from 1995-2006. "He's one of the pillars of the team, definitely one of the great parts . . . He means so much to the city. Hopefully, they'll come down to a decision with and work it out."
Though he thinks the "Core Four" still has plenty to offer, the former All-Star seems to have come to grips with his baseball career being over. Williams hasn't played professionally since 2006 - his hiatus interrupted by a brief showing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic - but he never officially retired.
"I think that might be coming this year," said Williams, who batted .281 with 12 homers in his last season. "I think [Don] Mattingly said it takes a player [mentally] maybe four or five years to come to the realization that you've got to move on."
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