Five-time All-Star and four-time World Series winner Bernie Williams faced a tough decision in 1998 after a stellar season. The Yankees, despite wanting him on the team, initially offered less than other suitors like the Boston Red Sox. Williams, remembering his agent's advice, made a personal plea to owner George Steinbrenner, ultimately securing a seven-year, $87.5 million contract and leading the Yankees to two more World Series titles.
A five-time All-Star and four-time World Series winner with the Yankees, Williams was a core piece of their late-1990s/early-2000s dynasty. But he almost left the organization as a free agent after the 1998 title-winning season because late owner George Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman didn’t want Williams as much as he wanted them.. It was a learning moment for Williams — and one that required him to stand up for himself and make a bold move to keep him with the Yankees.
By 1998, Williams had spent about 13 seasons in the organization and at least parts of eight seasons in the majors. He was coming off the best season of his career — a 160 OPS+ with a league-leading .339 average along with a .422 on-base percentage and .575 slugging percentage. He hit 26 home runs and 97 RBI.
“I remember an afternoon, I was in Puerto Rico living, and I talked to him. His wife answered the phone, ‘Hey, Bernie, how you doing? It’s like, ‘Mrs. Steinbrenner, this is Bernie Williams. Sorry about imposing, but I need to talk to your husband about, you know, some business thing. ...
“ said, ‘This is the best offer you’re going to get. if you want to remain a Yankee, you go ahead and take that.‘”
BERNIE WILLIAMS NEW YORK YANKEES MLB CONTRACT NEGOTIATION STEINRBRENNER
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