Bernie Williams, who is still not officially retired, is planning a 2009 comeback.

Bernie Williams

But it’s not what you think. The 40-year-old is interested in playing for Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which takes place this March.

This is far from official, but Bernie is planning to play in winter ball to prepare for the event.

When ESPN spoke with Puerto Rico’s manager, Jose Oquendo, he said Bernie would likely play DH or pinch-hit, since Alex Rios and Carlos Beltran are already taking up two spots in the outfield.

This is great news for Yankee fans. We get to watch one of our favorite players take one more shot at playing at an elite level, and he doesn’t have to weigh down the Yankees while doing it.

But part of me thinks this is just a publicity stunt to sell more albums. His second record, “Moving Forward,” is due out shortly after the WBC, April 14.