Bernie Responds to Cashman’s Comments

 

From PA’s LoHud Blog:

Speaking at William Paterson University in New Jersey at an event with Theo Epstein, Cashman said Williams spent too much time with his music career “and that took away from his play” on the field.

Cashman said Williams had a “terrible season” in 2005 and that former manager Joe Torre was wrong to play Williams as often as he did in 2006 because better players were available.

Only two writers were there tonight. Told of Cashman’s comments, Williams first said he didn’t want to resond. But then he paused and took a deep breath.

“I don’t think he has any basis to say anything like that,” he said. “Let me put it this way: Questioning a person’s commitment to the team is a very serious accusation, at least in my book.”

I asked whether music was a distraction during the final seasons of his career. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he said. “I haven’t really talked to (Cashman) about what he said. But I want to.”

Cashman, although candid during the William Paterson event, really shouldn’t have said those things about Bernie. I’m not saying that the man shouldn’t speak his mind, I’m just saying that being that honest (brutally honest), publicly, could come back to haunt you.

Bernie was a big fan favorite and, on top of his many years of service, he really stepped up to the plate and helped the team out in 2006 (when everyone was injured), which was his final year. Hopefully Cashman and Bernie will squash this entire thing (and quickly).