We'd all love to be able to say we excel in one high-profile field of endeavor.
For Bernie Williams, make that two.
Unlike many athletes, the longtime Yankeee center fielder had another career waiting for him once his playing days ended. Then again, he's still playing, guitar instead of baseball.
I'd caught Williams performing occasionally on TV shows and thought, man, I'd love to play like that! And I heard him once again this morning on ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning," finger-picking a jazzy version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
Bernie was promoting his second CD, "Moving Forward," which was released Tuesday on Reform Records. According to his Web site:
"The Puerto Rico native and five-time All Star is a classically trained musician who developed his love for playing guitar alongside baseball, while listening to salsa, merengue and '80s rock. 'Moving Forward' embraces those early influences, while also reflecting a unique mixture of classical and jazz guitar topped-off with additional Latin rhythms."
One of the CD tracks is a live performance featuring Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Springsteen, who, being from Jersey, probably have some affinity for the Yankees.
I can't stand 'em personally, but I love Williams' guitar playing and am willing to overlook his tenure in pinstripes!
In a previous post, I mentioned several candidates to have their major-league careers span four decades, the 1980s through the 2010s.
Among them was Tom Glavine, the Braves' lefty who joined the 300-win club last year and was targeted to be in Atlanta's starting rotation this season.
But as Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast, my friend." CBSSports.com reports:
"Tom Glavine may retire if his sore left shoulder doesn't improve in two weeks. Glavine was told Tuesday he must rest for at least two weeks after inflammation was found in his left rotator cuff. The 43-year-old had an MRI and was examined by Dr. James Andrews, who advised treatment and rest."
If we've seen the last of Glavine on the pitcher's mound, here's a tip of the baseball cap to one stellar career.
Today, Pittsburgh acquired switch-hitting outfielder Delwyn Young from the Dodgers for two minor league players or for cash. Didn't they learn their lesson when Andy LaRoche came over from LA?
The skinny on Young: a .267 average in 110 games over three major league seasons; 14 pinch-hits for the Dodgers last season while hitting .246 with one home run and seven RBI in 126 at-bats.
He'll turn 27 in June, and that sometimes marks the point when hitters start reaching their potential. Let's see if he's still in Pittsburgh by then.
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