Cooperstown Chronicles - Bernie Williams

Photo courtesy of TSN Archives/Icon SMI

Bartolis, a friend of mine from Sporting News, suggested Bernie Williams.  Here are my findings.

Image courtesy of  Icon SMI

The Numbers
2076 Games
7869 At Bats
.297 Batting Average
1366 Runs
2336 Hits
449 Doubles
55 Triples
287 Home Runs
1257 RBI
1069 Walks (84th All-time)
147 Stolen Bases

Playoffs: 121 Games, 128 hits in 465 at bats (.275), 83 Runs, 29 Doubles, 22 HR, 80 RBI, 71 Walks, 8 Steals, 4 World Series Ring

Awards
1996 ALCS MVP
4 Gold Gloves
2002 Silver Slugger
5 All-Star Game Appearances
MVP Votes in 6 Seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average - Four Times (Batting Crown in 1998)
On-Base % - Five Times
Slugging % - Twice
OPS - Four Times
Games - Twice
At-Bats - Once
Runs - Three Times
Hits - Three Times
Doubles - Twice
Triples - Four Times
RBI - Once
Walks - Three Times
Intentional Walks - Four Times (Led League in 1999)

If I were just considering his regular season accomplishments I would have to shut down Bernie immediately.  He had a solid career, but nothing about it says “Hall of Fame”.  That is until you look at the mark he left in the playoffs.  His playoff totals look like a full season worth.  It’s unbelievable.  Those impressive numbers combined with his solid regular season numbers and his role in the Yankees dynasty get him elected in my book. 

References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish
Mo Vaughn
Mark Grace
Dennis Martinez
Chuck Finley
Fred McGriff
Wes Parker
Steve Finley
Orlando Cepeda*
Albert Belle
Willie Randolph
Graig Nettles
Luis Gonzalez
Lefty O’Doul
Rocky Colavito
Boog Powell
Jerry Koosman
Mike Cuellar
Edgar Martinez
Brooks Robinson*
Roberto Alomar
Dave Stieb
John Franco
Maury Wills
Sherry Magee
Phil Rizzuto*
Orel Hershiser
Frank Viola
David Cone
Dwight Gooden
Tim Raines

* signifies actual Hall of Famers