Here's the announcement from the Yankees:
The New York Yankees announced today that Bernie Williams will formally sign his retirement papers at a press conference on Friday, April 24, at 5:45 p.m., in the Yankee Stadium press conference room. He will be joined by Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman and Assistant General Manager Jean Afterman.
During Friday’s press conference, the Yankees will unveil a logo related to his number retirement and Monument Park plaque dedication, which will take place on Sunday, May 24, prior to the Yankees’ 8:05 p.m. game vs. Texas.
Additionally on Friday ? in an on-field ceremony at approximately 6:45 p.m. ? the Hard Rock Cafe will debut a souvenir pin that honors Williams. Fifteen percent of net sales from the pins will go to Hillside Food Outreach (www.hillsidefoodoutreach.org).
Williams will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Friday’s 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Mets.
Williams played his entire 16-year Major League career with the Yankees (1991-2006), batting .297 (2,336-for-7,869) in 2,076 games with the club. In franchise history, the former centerfielder ranks third in doubles (449), fifth in hits, sixth in games played and runs scored (1,366) and seventh in home runs (287) and RBI (1,257). The five-time American League All-Star (1997-2001), four-time Gold Glove winner (1997-2000) and Silver Slugger Award recipient (2002) won the American League batting title in 1998, leading the league with a .339 batting average.
A four-time World Series champion in pinstripes (1996, ’98, ’99, 2000), Williams is the Yankees’ all-time postseason leader in home runs (22) and RBI (80), ranks second in playoff runs scored (83), hits (128) and doubles (29) and is third in games played (121). He was named the 1996 ALCS MVP after batting .474 (9-for-19) with 6R, 2HR and 6RBI in the Yankees’ five-game series win vs. the Orioles. In Game 1 of the 1999 ALCS vs. Boston, he hit a 10th-inning, “walk-off” home run to win the game for the Yankees.
A very underrated player, another one of those great athletes playing very good baseball.
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