Afternoon Baseball

In the midst of a very successful weekend for the Yanks -- as they finished up with a stellar home record, got solid performances from all the cast-offs and unknowns, and saw Gary Sheffield return to the field and pound the ball at the plate -- they also finished their home schedule, meaning Bernie Williams may have played his last game ever at the Stadium.

Tino Martinez is also in the same boat, but Michael Kay reported that Tino likes his backup role and hopes to return, and he's played well enough to bring back.
Bernie, though, is a Yankee lifer, and had, from 1995-2002, a stretch of a quality few Yanks have ever reached (the classic Yankee HOFers, and Dave Winfield are about it). The decision on his status will not be easy nor unpublicized.

Bring Bernie back? It might be worth it. He's not a terrible hitter, just not at his peak, and his fielding has somehow gotten better lately, although he's certainly below-average in every aspect at this point.
It's a tough call. It will depend on other moves the Yankees make, and what Bernie is prepared to sacrifice. That list includes: about $10 million per year, any contract more than two years, and possibly a choice of playing every day or playing much in center.
But for now, he's still an important part of a team fighting for its life. Forget his impending free agency and save the reminiscing for guys who are only playing for the ovations, a la Mike Piazza with the Mets. The time to mourn Bernie is not yet at hand, and he's got some baseball to play.