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{{short description|Puerto Rican former professional baseball player and musician (born 1968)}}
{{about|the 1990s baseball player|other people named Bernie Williams|Bernard Williams (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{family name hatnote|Williams|Figueroa|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Bernie Williams
| image       = Bernie Williams at ESPN Weekend.jpg
| caption     = Williams in 2011
| width       = 250
| position    = [[Center fielder]]
| bats        = Switch
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1968|9|13}}
| birth_place = [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = July 7
| debutyear   = 1991
| debutteam   = New York Yankees
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = October 1
| finalyear   = 2006
| finalteam   = New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .297
| stat2label  = [[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
| stat2value  = 2,336
| stat3label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat3value  = 287
| stat4label  = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat4value  = 1,257
| teams       =
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1991}}–{{mlby|2006}})
| highlights = 
* 5× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1997]]–[[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001]])
* 4× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1996}}, {{wsy|1998}}–{{wsy|2000}})
* [[ALCS MVP]] ({{alcsy|1996}})
* 4× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1997–2000)
* [[Silver Slugger Award]] (2002)
* [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|AL batting champion]] (1998)
* [[New York Yankees#Retired numbers|New York Yankees No. 51]] retired
* [[Monument Park (Yankee Stadium)|Monument Park]] honoree
|medaltemplates=
{{MedalSport | [[Track and field athletics|Athletics]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{PUR}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|CAC Junior Championships]] (U20)}}
{{MedalSilver |[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|1984 San Juan]] | 4 × 100 m relay}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|CAC Junior Championships]] (U17)}}
{{MedalGold |[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|1984 San Juan]] | 200 m}}
{{MedalGold |[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|1984 San Juan]] | 400 m}}
{{MedalGold |[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|1984 San Juan]] | 4 × 100 m relay}}
{{MedalGold |[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics|1984 San Juan]] | 4 × 400 m relay}}
}}
'''Bernabé Williams Figueroa Jr.''' (born September 13, 1968) is a [[Puerto Rican people|Puerto Rican]] former professional [[baseball]] player and current musician. He played his entire 16-year career in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) with the [[New York Yankees]] from 1991 through 2006.

A [[center fielder]], Williams was a member of four [[World Series]] championship teams with the Yankees. He ended his career with a .297 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], 287 [[home run]]s, 1,257 [[runs batted in]] (RBI), 1,366 [[run (baseball)|runs scored]], 449 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], and a .990 [[fielding percentage]]. He was a five-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and won four [[Gold Glove Award]]s, a [[Silver Slugger Award]], the [[American League]] (AL) [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting title]] in 1998, and the [[1996 American League Championship Series|1996]] [[American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|AL Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award]]. Known for his consistency and postseason heroics, Williams is one of the most beloved Yankees. The team honored him by [[New York Yankees#Retired numbers|retiring his uniform number 51]] and dedicating a plaque to him in [[Monument Park (Yankee Stadium)|Monument Park]] in May 2015. Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest switch-hitting center fielders in the sport's history. 

Williams is also a classically trained guitarist. Following his retirement from baseball, he has released two [[jazz]] albums. He was nominated for a [[Latin Grammy]] in 2009.

==Early life==
Bernabé Williams Figueroa Jr. was born on September 13, 1968, in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], to Bernabé Williams Sr., a [[merchant marine]] and dispatcher, and Rufina Figueroa, a retired principal and college professor. The Williams family lived in [[the Bronx]] until Bernie was one year old, when they moved to [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name="speak softly">{{cite news|author=CLAIRE SMITHPublished: October 18, 1996|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/18/sports/speak-softly-run-swiftly-swing-powerfully.html|title=Speak Softly, Run Swiftly, Swing Powerfully – New York Times|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 18, 1996|access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref>

Growing up, Williams played classical guitar as well as baseball. He was also active in track and field, winning medals at an international meet at the age of 15. At the [[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics]] in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], Williams won gold in the [[200 metres]] (m), [[400 metres|400 m]], [[4 × 100 m relay]], and [[4 × 400 m relay]] events for competitors under the age of 17, and the silver medal for the 4 × 100 m relay among competitors younger than 20.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berniewilliams.net/contact.html|title=Bernie's Profile|access-date=September 9, 2008|work=berniewilliams.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630003827/http://www.berniewilliams.net/contact.html|archive-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref>

==Achievements in track and field==
{| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes|class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size: 90%;}}
|-
!colspan=6|Representing {{PUR}}
|-
|rowspan=5|1984
|[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics#Male Junior A (under 20)|Central American and Caribbean Junior]]
|[[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Puerto Rico
| style="background:silver;"|2nd
|4 × 100 m relay
|41.51
|-
|rowspan=4|[[1984 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics#Male Junior B (under 17)|Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships (U-17)]]
|rowspan=4|[[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Puerto Rico
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|200 m
|21.99 '''w'''
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|400 m
|49.29
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|4 × 100 m relay
|42.89
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|4 × 400 m relay
|3:22.78
|}

==Professional career==
===Minor leagues===
In 1985, Roberto Rivera, a [[scout (sport)|scout]] for the [[New York Yankees]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB), discovered Williams and Williams' friend, [[Juan González (baseball)|Juan González]]. Though Rivera was not interested in González, who he perceived as not taking the game seriously, he wanted to sign Williams. However, Williams was a few months shy of his 17th birthday, when he would become eligible to sign with an MLB team. The Yankees put Williams in a training camp in [[Connecticut]], near the home of scouting director [[Doug Melvin]], who later had González on his Texas Rangers teams.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chass|first=Murray|date=June 27, 2000|title=ON BASEBALL; Yankee Scout Reveals The Error of His Ways|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/27/sports/on-baseball-yankee-scout-reveals-the-error-of-his-ways.html}}</ref> After playing a few games in the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League on the Katz Sports Shop team, Williams was officially signed by the Yankees on his 17th birthday.<ref name="baseballbiography">{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/bernie-williams-1968|title=Bernie Williams|access-date=September 9, 2008|work=baseballbiography.com|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2012/06/20/bernie-williams-to-manage-futures-game/ |title=Bernie Williams to manage Futures Game – The LoHud Yankees Blog |publisher=Yankees.lhblogs.com |date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref><ref name=si1996/>

While playing in [[Minor League Baseball]], Williams took a course on [[biology]] at the [[University of Puerto Rico]], and considered undertaking a [[pre-medical]] track as an undergraduate student. Deciding that he could not excel at baseball and medicine at the same time, Williams decided to focus on baseball.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2004/vol8n28/BernieStillHit.html |title=Bernie Still A Big Hit For Yanks ; Bombers' Williams Passing The Test of Time; Outfielder Takes His Place Among Team's Legends |publisher=Puerto Rico Herald |access-date=September 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053515/http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2004/vol8n28/BernieStillHit.html |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Playing for [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Albany-Colonie Yankees]],<ref name="The Baseball Page">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/willibe02 |title=Bernie Williams Baseball Stats, facts, biography, images and video. |publisher=The Baseball Page |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> he continued to develop his athletic skills – particularly as a switch hitter.<ref name="The Baseball Page"/> Although viewed as a great prospect by Yankee management, his rise to the majors was delayed by the solid outfield — [[Roberto Kelly]], [[Danny Tartabull]], and [[Jesse Barfield]] — that the team had developed in the early 1990s.<ref name="The Baseball Page"/>{{dead link|date=June 2021}}

===New York Yankees (1991–2006)===
Williams managed to break into the majors in 1991 to replace the injured [[Roberto Kelly]] for the second half of that season. He batted .238 in 320 at bats.<ref name="baseballbiography"/> He was demoted to the minors until [[Danny Tartabull]] was injured, and Williams earned his stay at center by putting up solid numbers.<ref name="baseballbiography"/>

Williams had become the regular Yankees center fielder by 1993. However, Williams got off to a slow start that season, and Yankees' owner [[George Steinbrenner]], impatient with Williams, insisted that [[Gene Michael]], the team's [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]], trade him.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB330A0E3D13921&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | title = Yanks' Williams Keeping Options Open | date=October 18, 1998}}</ref> Michael discussed trading Williams for [[Larry Walker]] with the [[Montreal Expos]], but did not make the trade.<ref name=survivor>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/109663454.html?dids=109663454:109663454&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+24%2C+2002&author=GEORGE+KING&pub=New+York+Post&desc=SURVIVOR+IN+PINSTRIPES+%3A+YANKS+WERE+SMART+NOT+TRADING+BERNIE&pqatl=google |title=Archives – New York Post Online Edition |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=February 24, 2002 |access-date=September 20, 2013 |first=George |last=King |archive-date=April 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401101056/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/109663454.html?dids=109663454:109663454&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+24%2C+2002&author=GEORGE+KING&pub=New+York+Post&desc=SURVIVOR+IN+PINSTRIPES+%3A+YANKS+WERE+SMART+NOT+TRADING+BERNIE&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }}</ref> In his first full season with the Yankees, Williams had a .268 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/sports/baseball/19buck.html | work=The New York Times | first=Jack | last=Curry | title=No Playoffs Was No Big Deal in 1993 | date=September 19, 2008}}</ref>

Throughout the early 1990s, Williams hit in the middle of the order as management tried to figure out where his best fit was.

====1995–1998====
[[File:Bernie Williams 1999.jpg|thumb|upright|Williams in 1999]]
Manager [[Buck Showalter]] helped keep Williams with the Yankees through 1995, when Steinbrenner became frustrated by the team's difficulty in placing Williams in any of the traditional baseball player molds. He had good speed, but rarely stole bases. In center, he was highly capable at tracking down fly balls and line drives, but had a weak throwing arm. He was a consistent hitter but only had mild home run power.

In 1995, Steinbrenner again considered trading Williams, this time to the [[San Francisco Giants]] for [[Darren Lewis]].<ref name=si1996>{{cite magazine |author=Tom Verducci |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008908/index.htm |title=In a breakout performance, Bernie Williams led the – 10.21.96 – SI Vault |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 21, 1996 |access-date=September 20, 2013 |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110031607/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008908/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Yankees kept Williams, who went on to have a breakout season. He hit 18 home runs and led the team in runs, hits, total bases and stolen bases.<ref name="baseballbiography"/> Williams continued his hot hitting into the postseason, leading the Yankees with a .429 batting average in the [[1995 American League Division Series]] (ALDS) against the [[Seattle Mariners]].

After continuing to improve in 1996, Williams again showcased his skills to the baseball world in the postseason. He batted .467 in the ALDS against Texas and played a sparkling center field. He picked up where he left off in the [[American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against [[Baltimore Orioles|Baltimore]], belting an 11th-inning walk-off homer in Game 1. Ending the ALCS with a .474 batting average and two homers, he was named the ALCS MVP. While Williams collected just four hits in the [[1996 World Series]], his clutch homer in the eighth inning of Game 3 helped spark the team's comeback from a 2–0 series deficit to capture the team's first championship since 1978.

Despite his success, following the 1997 season, Williams again was the subject of trade rumors, this time involving the [[Detroit Tigers]].  According to ''[[The New York Times]]'' sportswriter [[Murray Chass]], Williams was nearly dealt to the Tigers for a package of young pitchers including [[Roberto Durán (baseball)|Roberto Durán]] and first round draft pick Mike Drumright.  Tigers general manager [[Randy Smith (baseball)|Randy Smith]] believed a deal had been reached and an official announcement was close, but Yankees general manager [[Bob Watson]] denied that was the case, and Williams remained a Yankee.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/20/sports/baseball-williams-nearly-a-tiger-is-still-a-yankee-for-now.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm | work=The New York Times | title=BASEBALL; Williams, Nearly a Tiger, Is Still a Yankee for Now | date=November 20, 1997 | first=Murray | last=Chass}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/19/sports/baseball-bernie-williams-to-tigers.html | work=The New York Times | title=BASEBALL; Bernie Williams to Tigers? | date=November 19, 1997}}</ref> Watson also discussed Williams with the [[Chicago Cubs]] in a potential trade involving [[Lance Johnson]].<ref name=survivor/>

During the 1998 season, in which the Yankees went 114–48 to set a then-American League regular-season record, Williams finished with a .339 average, becoming the first player to win a batting title, Gold Glove award, and [[World Series ring]] in the same year.

====1999–2004====
{{expand section|date=January 2013}}
[[File:Bernie Williams 2004.jpg|thumb|upright|Williams in 2004]]
After the 1998 season, Williams signed a seven-year, $87.5-million contract with the Yankees,<ref name="baseballbiography"/> one of the largest in baseball at the time. The [[Boston Red Sox]] and [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] also bid for Williams on the free agent market.<ref name="baseballbiography"/> For the length of the contract, the Yankees made the playoffs every single year, and as a result Williams continued to add to his postseason statistics. He currently places in the top 5 of career postseason categories such as hits, runs scored, doubles, home runs, walks, and runs batted in, where he ranks first.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/Playoffs_batting.shtml|title=All-time and Single-Season Postseason Batting Leaders }}</ref>

In 1999, Williams recorded 200+ hits for the first time in his career and won his third straight Gold Glove Award. He also finished third in the American League in batting average (.342), third in hits (202), fourth in on-base percentage (.435), fifth in bases on balls (100), and seventh in runs scored (116). The following year, he once again won a Gold Glove Award and set career highs with 30 home runs and 121 runs batted in.

In 2002, Williams won the only [[Silver Slugger Award]] of his career, as he hit .333 and recorded a career-high 204 base hits.

====2005====
The last year covered by Williams’ contract, 2005, proved to be a difficult one. He started just 99 games in center field and 22 games as designated hitter, and his already weak arm was more noticeable as his fielding and batting abilities deteriorated. He had a career-worst .321 OBP and [[batting average on balls in play]] (.274). As expected, the Yankees announced on August 2, 2005, that they would not pick up the $15 million option on Williams' contract for the 2006 season, opting to pay a $3.5 million buyout instead. In December, Williams was offered arbitration by team general manager [[Brian Cashman]] to allow an additional month for negotiation. On December 22, the Yankees re-signed Williams to a 1-year, $1.5 million contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2269258|title=Williams' playing time is expected to be reduced|access-date=September 9, 2008 |work=[[ESPN.com]]| date=December 23, 2005 }}</ref>

====2006====
[[File:Bernie Williams.jpg|thumb|left|Bernie Williams at bat.]]

{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = BernieWilliams51.jpg
|Name   = Bernie Williams
|Number = 51
|Team   = New York Yankees
|Year   = 2015
}}

In 2006, Williams saw a good amount of playing time in the corner outfield spots with both [[Hideki Matsui]] and [[Gary Sheffield]] out with wrist injuries, and did spot duty in [[Baseball field#outfield|center field]] on days when starting center fielder [[Johnny Damon]] was given time off to rest, playing more than was expected when he signed his one-year extension with the Yankees in 2006.

Williams played for [[Puerto Rico national baseball team|Puerto Rico]] in the 2006 [[MLB]] [[World Baseball Classic]], joining [[Carlos Delgado]], [[Carlos Beltrán]], [[Mike Lowell]], [[Javier Vázquez (baseball)|Javier Vázquez]], and [[José Vidro]] amongst others representing the U.S. territory in a team managed by [[St. Louis Cardinals]] third base coach [[Jose Oquendo]]. Williams hit two home runs in the 2006 WBC.

On July 26, 2006, Williams got his 2,300th career hit, becoming the 11th active player in the Majors with 2,300 or more career hits. Williams continued to climb the Yankees record books by hitting his 443rd career double on August 16, 2006, surpassing then-bench coach [[Don Mattingly]] for second-most as a Yankee. For the year, he walked only 7.3% of the time, a career-worst.

====Out of contract====
Williams' contract expired at the end of the 2006 season. He had hoped to return to the Yankees in 2007 and was willing to accept a role as a back-up outfielder and pinch hitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baseballpiggies.blogspot.com/2005/11/bernie-williams-dilemmaharold.html |title=The Baseball Reader |publisher=Baseballpiggies.blogspot.com |date=November 9, 2005 |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> The Yankees offered Williams an invitation to spring training as a [[non-roster invitee]], giving him a chance to compete for a job. Williams, however, wanted a guaranteed roster spot and declined the invitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070221&content_id=1809854&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|title=Bernie rejects Yanks' camp invite Agent tells AP veteran will not accept non-roster offer|access-date=October 20, 2008|work=[[MLB.com]]|archive-date=October 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031010110/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070221&content_id=1809854&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 21, 2008, Williams made his first return to Yankee Stadium since 2006 for the ceremonies preceding the final game at the stadium. He was the last former player to be introduced and received a standing ovation that lasted a minute and 42 seconds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/09/21/2008-09-21_bernie_williams_is_at_yankee_stadium_for.html|title=Bernie Williams is at Yankee Stadium for one last time|first=Roger|last=Rubin|date=September 22, 2008|work=[[New York Daily News]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604154427/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/09/21/2008-09-21_bernie_williams_is_at_yankee_stadium_for.html|archive-date=June 4, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

====2009 World Baseball Classic====
[[File:New York Yankee great Bernie Williams coaches Cassie Frank, 2008.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|Williams coaching [[tee-ball]] in 2008]]
After two years of inactivity, Williams returned to action in 2008, playing for the [[Gigantes de Carolina (baseball)|Gigantes de Carolina]] in the [[Puerto Rico Baseball League]]. He was interested in gauging his condition prior to possibly participating in the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zellspinstripeblog.com/2008/12/30/end-of-the-road-for-bernie-williams-suffers-a-serious-quad-injury/ |title=End of the road for Bernie Williams? Suffers a serious quad injury… " Zell's Pinstripe Blog |publisher=Zellspinstripeblog.com |date=December 30, 2008 |access-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-date=December 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20101203031102/http://zellspinstripeblog.com/2008/12/30/end-of-the-road-for-bernie-williams-suffers-a-serious-quad-injury/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> MLB.com reported on December 30, 2008, that Williams had injured his quad while playing for Carolina and may not be able to play in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico.

On February 19, 2009, Williams worked out with the Yankees at the team's spring training complex.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3918460 |title=Steinbrenner, Williams at Yankees camp |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> Williams hinted that if he performed well in the World Baseball Classic he might consider returning to the Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=4023275 |title=WBC inspires Williams to mull return |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=March 28, 2009 |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref>

In March 2009 he played for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, going 0-for-5 with two walks; after the series concluded, he expressed interest in playing in the Major Leagues again.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=4023275 WBC inspires Williams to mull return] ESPN, March 28, 2009</ref>

====Retirement====
Though he did not appear in a Major League Baseball game after 2006, Williams did not officially retire until 2015. At the February 2011 retirement press conference for [[Andy Pettitte]], Williams acknowledged that his career was over and stated that he would officially announce his retirement soon thereafter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110204&content_id=16570120 |title=Bernie Williams acknowledges his playing days are over &#124; MLB.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101122111/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110204&content_id=16570120 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Williams officially retired on April 24, 2015, with the Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121121&content_id=40390674&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy |title=Bernie Williams gets second crack on Hall of Fame ballot &#124; yankees.com: News |work=New York Yankees |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref>

==MLB statistics==
Williams' major league stats:<ref name="BR page">{{Cite web |title=Bernie Williams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willibe02.shtml |access-date=2025-11-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Years !! [[Games played|Games]] !! [[At bat|AB]] !! [[Run (baseball)|Runs]] !! [[Hit (baseball)|Hits]] !![[Double (baseball)|2B]] !! [[Triple (baseball)|3B]] !! [[Home run|HR]] !! [[Runs batted in|RBI]] !! [[Stolen base|SB]] !! [[Caught stealing|CS]] !! [[Base on balls|BB]] !! [[Strikeout|SO]] !! [[Batting average (baseball)|AVG]] !! [[On-base percentage|OBP]] !! [[Slugging percentage|SLG]] !! [[On-base plus slugging|OPS]] || [[Error (baseball)|E]] || [[Fielding percentage|FLD%]]
|-
| 16 || 2,076 || 7,869 || 1,366 || 2,336 || 449 || 55 || 287 || 1,257 || 147 || 87 || 1,069 || 1,012 || .297 || .381 || .477 || .858 || 48 || .990 
|}

==Career perspective==
[[File:Bernie Williams plaque ceremony.jpg|thumb|260px|Williams with former teammates after the unveiling of his [[Yankee Stadium]] plaque. From left: [[Andy Pettitte]], [[Jorge Posada]], [[Mariano Rivera]], Williams, and [[Derek Jeter]].]]

As of 2021, he holds the career postseason record for runs batted in (80). He is also third all-time in postseason home runs (22) and games played (121) while being second in doubles (29), total hits (128), walks (71), total bases (223), and runs scored (83).
Standing on Yankee all-time lists as of the beginning of the 2021 season:<ref name="leader">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/leaders_bat_50.shtml|title=New York Yankees Top 50 Career Batting Leaders|access-date=June 11, 2021 |work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
* 3rd all-time in doubles
* 5th all-time in walks
* 5th all-time in hits
* 6th all-time in extra-base hits
* 7th all-time in home runs
* 7th all-time in RBIs

Williams appeared on the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] ballot for the first time in [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2012|2012]]. He received 55 votes for 9.6%. The [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2013|next year]], Williams received 19 votes (3.3%). Since he received votes on fewer than 5% of ballots, Williams was not eligible to appear on future ballots.<ref name=nj_hof>{{cite web|author=New Jersey |url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2013/01/yankee_great_bernie_williams_f.html |title=Yankees great Bernie Williams fails to receive enough votes to remain on Hall ballot |date=January 10, 2013 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref>

The Yankees announced in May 2014 that they would honor Williams with a plaque in [[Monument Park (Yankee Stadium)|Monument Park]] during the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?c_id=nyy&content_id=74780552&partnerId=as_mlb_20140508_23507824&vkey=pr_nyy&ymd=20140508|title=Yankees to honor Joe Torre, Rich "Goose" Gossage, Tino Martinez, and Paul O'Neill in 2014 with plaques in Monument Park; Torre's uniform no. 6 to also be retired: Ceremonies are part of a recognition series that will include Bernie Williams in 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 8, 2014|access-date=May 8, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On February 16, 2015, the Yankees also announced that they would be retiring Williams' number 51.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yankees to retire numbers of Pettitte, Posada and Williams|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ap-source-pettittes-number-retired-yankees-032351186--mlb.html|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|date=February 16, 2015|access-date=2015-02-16}}</ref> On May 24, the Yankees unveiled Williams's plaque and retired his number in a ceremony at [[Yankee Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Yankees retire Bernie Williams's No. 51|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/05/22/new-york-yankees-retire-bernie-williams-number-51|website=si.com|date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015}}</ref>

==Music career==
[[File:Bernie Williams YANKEES 2009 Crop.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Williams greeting fans during a pregame musical performance at the new Yankee Stadium in 2009]]
A classically trained guitarist, Williams plays and composes music with influences that include [[jazz]], [[Classical music|classical]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[Brazilian music|Brazilian]], and [[Latin music|Latin]] sounds.

Williams signed with [[Paul McCartney]]'s publishing company, [[MPL Communications]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bernie-williams-hits-musical-home-run-with-mpl-communications-deal-71284647.html |title=Bernie Williams Hits Musical Home Run With MPL Communications Deal|publisher=Prnewswire.com |date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref> and his major label debut, ''[[The Journey Within]]'', was released on June 22, 2003.<ref name="Kergan">{{cite web|last1=Kergan|first1=Wade|title=Bernie Williams|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bernie-williams-mn0000062200/biography|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref>
In addition to playing lead and rhythm guitar, Williams composed seven songs for the album. Tracks like "La Salsa En Mi" and "Desvelado" mix his love of jazz with Latin rhythms. The first single was a remix of his "Just Because," featuring [[David Benoit (musician)|David Benoit]]. Other highlights include Williams' heartfelt tribute to his father, "Para Don Berna;" a reworking of the [[Baden Powell (guitarist)|Baden Powell]] song, "Samba Novo;" and "La Salsa En Mi," featuring background vocals from 2003 [[Grammy Award]] winner [[Rubén Blades]] and salsa legend [[Gilberto Santa Rosa]]. Also joining Williams was an all-star ensemble of musicians including multiple Grammy-winning banjo player [[Béla Fleck]], keyboardist [[David Sancious]], percussionist [[Luis Conte]], bassist [[Leland Sklar]], guitarist Tim Pierce, and drummers [[Kenny Aronoff]] and [[Shawn Pelton]], among others.

Following his career with the New York Yankees, Williams studied guitar and composition for a year at the [[State University of New York at Purchase]] in preparation for his album, ''[[Moving Forward]]'', which was released on April 14, 2009, under the Reform Records label.  The album features fourteen tracks and includes some collaborative tracks with other artists such as [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Patti Scialfa]], [[Jon Secada]], and [[Dave Koz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/berniewilliamsmusic|title=''Bernie Williams MySpace Music page'' |access-date=March 28, 2009}}</ref> Williams was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for ''Moving Forward''.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

In 2010, Williams participated in the World Rhythms Tour with [[Basia]]. On July 18, 2010, he performed at the [[2010 Central American and Caribbean Games]] opening ceremony.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

In July 2011, the book ''Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Musical and Athletic Performance'', co-authored by Williams, Dave Gluck, and [[Bob Thompson (musician)|Bob Thompson]], with a foreword by [[Paul Simon]], was published by [[Hal Leonard Publishing]].<ref name="Wakin">{{cite web|last1=Wakin|first1=Daniel J.|title=Baseball Players Who Play Music, Too|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/arts/music/baseball-players-who-play-music-too.html?pagewanted=all|website=The New York Times|access-date=25 October 2017|date=24 June 2011}}</ref>

Williams was featured on the November/December 2011 cover of ''[[Making Music (magazine)|Making Music]]'' to discuss his life and career in music.<ref name="Yurco">{{cite web|last1=Yurco|first1=Cherie|title=Center Fielder Bernie Williams Moves to Center Stage|url=https://makingmusicmag.com/bernie-williams-switch-hitter/|website=Making Music Magazine|access-date=25 October 2017|date=30 December 2011}}</ref>

Williams received his Bachelor of Music  from the [[Manhattan School of Music]] on May 13, 2016.<ref name="legend">{{cite web|title=Yankee legend Bernie Williams receives his Bachelor of Music from Manhattan School of Music| url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2016/may/20/yankee-legend-bernie-williams-receives-his-bachelo/|website=Amsterdam News|access-date=25 October 2017|date=20 May 2016}}</ref>

===Discography===
;Albums
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan=2| Year
!rowspan=2| Title
!colspan=2| Chart positions
|-
! {{small|[[Billboard 200|US]]}}
! {{small|[[Top Contemporary Jazz|U.S.<br>Jazz]]}}
|-
|2003
|''[[The Journey Within]]''
*Released: July 15, 2003
*Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]]
| style="text-align:center;"|157
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
|2009
|''[[Moving Forward]]''
*Released: April 14, 2009
*Label: Reform
| style="text-align:center;"|178
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|}

;Singles
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center";
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| Album
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:50px;"| [[Smooth Jazz Airplay|Smooth Jazz<br />Airplay]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bernie-williams/chart-history/jsi/|title=Bernie Williams: Smooth Jazz Airplay|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| align="left"| "Go for It"
| 1
| rowspan="3"| ''Moving Forward''
|-
| align="left"| "Ritmo De Otono" <br />{{small|(Bernie Williams featuring [[Dave Koz]])}}
| 1
|-
| 2010
| align="left"| "Moving Forward"
| 18
|-
|}

==Philanthropy==
Williams' love of music shines through in his philanthropy efforts with [[Little Kids Rock]], a national nonprofit organization that works to restore and revitalize music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. Little Kids Rock honored the Yankees icon with the 2010 "Big Man of the Year" award at the annual Right to Rock celebration. Williams performed onstage with students and signed some guitars to be auctioned. With the money he helped raise, Williams delivered instruments to a school in the [[Bronx]] and gave the students a lesson in music and life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/bernie-williams/ |title=Bernie Williams &#124; Little Kids Rock |access-date=2014-01-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729224714/http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/bernie-williams/ |archive-date=July 29, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} Bernie's Little Kids Rock classroom visit</ref>

In July 2018, Williams went to [[Puerto Rico]] to take part in a special episode of ''[[Bar Rescue]]'' on the [[Paramount Network]] to help people affected by [[Hurricane Maria]], rebuilding a bar and baseball field.<ref name="s313">{{cite web | last=Keane | first=Erin | title=A "Bar Rescue" in Puerto Rico: Helping a business | website=Salon | date=2018-05-26 | url=https://www.salon.com/2018/05/26/a-bar-rescue-in-puerto-rico-helping-a-business-and-community-rebuild-after-hurricane-maria/ | access-date=2025-01-19}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Williams married Waleska on February 23, 1990<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bernie Williams – Society for American Baseball Research|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bernie-williams/|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-US}}</ref> and had three children: Bernie Jr., Beatriz, and Bianca. A song on Williams' 2009 release, ''[[Moving Forward]]'', is named after Beatriz: "Lullaby for Beatriz." This song is performed by Williams with his brother, Hiram Williams, playing the cello. This song was recorded in Puerto Rico at the Alpha Recording Studios.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

On June 14, 2018, Williams stated he was divorced during an interview on [[ESPN]]'s ''[[Highly Questionable]]''.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}<ref>Rivas, Aby. [https://news.amomama.com/207789-bernie-williams-is-a-yankees-legend-glim.html "Bernie Williams Is a Yankees Legend — Glimpse into His Family, Including Three Kids,"] ''Amo Mama'' (May 15, 2020).</ref>

Williams appeared on an episode of the sitcom ''[[Seinfeld]]'' as himself.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SZz_rbAmfmY | title=Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams on Seinfeld | website=[[YouTube]] | date=March 25, 2008 }}</ref>

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUWE5uFBImMC&q=fit+home+team|title=Fit Home Team: The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise, and Nutrition the Inexpensive and Simple Way|first1=Jorge|last1=Posada|author-link1=Jorge Posada|first2=Laura|last2=Posada|first3=Bernie|last3=Williams|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2009|isbn=9781439149614|access-date=January 11, 2012}}
*{{cite book|title=Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Musical and Athletic Performance|first1=Bernie|last1=Williams|first2=Dave|last2=Gluck|first3=Bob|last3=Thompson|year=2011|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|isbn=978-1423499473}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Puerto Rico|Jazz}}
{{div col}}
* [[Afro–Puerto Ricans]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career bases on balls leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career games played as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]
* [[List of Puerto Ricans]]
* [[New York Yankees award winners and league leaders]]
{{div col end}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{baseballstats|mlb=124288|espn=2538|br=w/willibe02|fangraphs=857|brm=willia001ber|retro=W/Pwillb002}}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|23ac2e57}}

{{s-start}}
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{{succession box | before = [[Tim Salmon]]<br />[[Iván Rodríguez]] | title = [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|American League Player of the Month]]| years = August 1997<br />May 1998| after = [[Juan González (baseball)|Juan González]]<br />[[Rafael Palmeiro]] }}
{{s-end}}

{{1996 New York Yankees}}
{{1998 New York Yankees}}
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{{Puerto Rico roster 2006 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Puerto Rico roster 2009 World Baseball Classic}}
{{AL batting title}}
{{ALCS MVP}}
{{AL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{AL OF Silver Slugger Award}}
{{Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award}}
{{New York Yankees retired numbers}}
{{Monument Park honorees}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Bernie}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
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