Bernie Williams
A long-legged, switch-hitting center fielder, Bernie Williams won the 1999 American League batting title. The Puerto Rican-native hit over .300 in eight straight seasons, and helped the Yankees to four World Championships. He was named the Most Valuable Player for the 1996 ALCS, and accumulated several post-season records, including most games played and most hits.
Played For
New York Yankees (1991-2005)
All-Time Rankings
Bernie Williams ranks #36 among the Top 50 all-time at CF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1998
A slightly better season than he had in 1999. Bernie slugged a career-best .575. Given his playing time in '99, one could pick that season as his best, instead. In both years, he won the Gold Glove Award for his play in center field.
Born
Bernabe (Figueroa) Williams was born on September 13, 1968, in San Juan
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
Primary Position: CF
Primary Team: NYA
Major League Debut
July 7, 1991
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1991
Jeff Bagwell
Bernie Williams
Ivan Rodriguez
Eric Karros
Jim Thome
Kenny Lofton
Royce Clayton
Rod Beck
Darryl Kile
Post-Season Appearances
1995 American League Divisional Series
1996 American League Championship Series
1996 World Series
1996 American League Divisional Series
1997 American League Divisional Series
1998 American League Championship Series
1998 American League Divisional Series
1998 World Series
1999 American League Championship Series
1999 World Series
1999 American League Divisional Series
2000 American League Divisional Series
2000 American League Championship Series
2000 World Series
2001 World Series
2001 American League Divisional Series
2001 American League Championship Series
2002 American League Divisional Series
2003 American League Divisional Series
2003 American League Championship Series
2003 World Series
2004 American League Divisional Series
2004 American League Championship Series
2005 American League Divisional Series
Post-Season Notes
Through 2005, Williams had played in 24 post-season series - a record.
Awards and Honors
1996 AL ALCS MVP
1997 AL Gold Glove
1998 AL Gold Glove
1999 AL Gold Glove
2000 AL Gold Glove
Batting Feats
- June 6, 1994: Switch HR same game...
- September 12, 1996: Switch HR same game...
- September 4, 1998: Switch HR same game...
- May 4, 1999: Switch HR same game...
- April 23, 2000: Switch HR same game...
- May 17, 2000: Switch HR same game...
- June 30, 2001: Switch HR same game...
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Williams battled nagging knee problems during the last 5-6 years of his career.
Hitting Streaks
21 games (1993)
All-Star Selections
1997 AL
1998 AL
1999 AL
2000 AL
2001 AL
Best Strength as a Player
Hitting, and hitting for power.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Williams has never had any glaring weaknesses, and in those areas where he needed to improve as a young player (power, patience, and cutting down his strikeouts), he has. Later in his career, his bad knees diminished his range in the outfield.
Learn More about Bernie Williams
Search Amazon.com for Books about Bernie Williams ⇒
Search for Bernie Williams at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
