WHY BERNIE WILLIAMS BELONGS IN THE HALL OF FAME

Fantastic news out of Yankeeland yesterday. If you haven't already heard Bernie Williams, along with 13 newcomers, now all have, within their grasps a chance to enter baseball immortality. I, for one believe Bernie has a real shot at getting voted in and believe he should be. When you look at Bernie Williams' career I hope the voters take into account not only his fantastic regular season and his phenomenal post season heroics but also the class that Bernie showed his entire career.

First lets break down Bernie Williams regular season numbers:

• In sixteen seasons Bernie hit .297 -- 2,336 hits -- 287 HR's -- 1,257 RBI -- .381 On Base Percentage

Between the years 1995-2002 Williams was one of the best players in the game, both offensively and defensively. During this period Williams hit .321 and made five consecutive All-Star teams. In 1998 Bernie won the AL batting title with a .339 average and was a part of that 1998 team that is arguably the greatest single season team ever. Defensively he earned 4 consecutive Gold Gloves for his solid play out in CF. Look, solely based on his regular season statistics you can make the argument that Bernie is a borderline hall-of-fame. But once you start breaking down his post season achievements you have to consider Bernie Williams for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lets take a look...

Bernie Williams is synonymous with post season. The man spent twelve of his sixteen seasons in the playoffs, which consisted of 121 games! That's nearly full season's worth of postseason statistics. Oh, and did I mention Bernie Williams was part of the four world championships between 1996-2000! And in those 121 playoff games Bernie hit .275 with 22 HR's and 80 RBI. Most big leaguers would kill just to have a regular season with those numbers let alone the postseason. But Bernie did it when it really counted...the post season! I could spend up to 10 pages just listing hit after big hit that Bernie had in the playoffs but Casey won't give me that much space! :)

Bernie Williams was a great player for a long time in pinstripes. He is top 10 in almost every major offensive category in Yankee history. I mean think about that. Top 10 in almost every major offensive category for the New York Yankees! Not only does that speak of longevity, but productive longevity. And postseason? How about this...Bernie Williams has the most Run Batted In of all time in post season history with 80 In addition, he is 2nd on the all time post season list in the following:

• 83 Runs scored
• 128 Hits
• 223 Total Bases
• 29 Doubles
• 22 Home Runs
• 71 Walks
  

Look, am I claiming Bernie Williams is the greatest player to ever play the game? Of course not. Nor am I even making an argument that Bernie is the greatest Yankee of all time. But what I am trying to do is lay out a decent argument why Bernie Williams deserves a plaque in Cooperstown. Bernie is one of the greatest post season players in MLB history, the numbers speak for themselves. Bernie was a consistent winner and, once again, the proof is in the pudding: 4 rings! Bernie certainly did not win those rings on his own, but I am not sure the Yankees win all those rings without Bernie! He was clutch, plain and simple and he did it with class and dignity. The man is a true Yankee legend and belongs among the greats in Cooperstown. Bernie Williams was and will always be a great ambassador to the game. So we wish you the best Bernie and are pulling for you! "Bernie goes BOOM!"

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23


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