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New York Yankees: Derek Jeter Hall of Fame celebration more personal

By David Hill

Mar 13, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees former player Bernie Williams plays the national anthem on his guitar prior to the game between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees former player Bernie Williams plays the national anthem on his guitar prior to the game between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derek Jeter was part of a young group of players who turned around the New York Yankees. Known as the Core Four, that collection of homegrown players was instrumental in turning around the Yankees’ fortunes, making them a perennially contending franchise. Jeter may have been the only member of that group inducted into the Hall of Fame at this point, but each member of that quartet made a dramatic impact upon the franchise.

On Wednesday, when Jeter is inducted into the Hall, at least one of those players will be there. Bernie Williams will perform The Star Spangled Banner at the induction ceremony, a fitting honor for one of his teammates.

Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame induction will have New York Yankees flair

Williams had a solid career in his own right. A five time All Star and four time World Series winner, he ended his career with a 125 OPS+, collecting 2336 hits with 449 doubles and 287 homers while stealing 147 bases. However, he fell well short of the threshold for induction, falling off the ballot in his second year.

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He has also had a strong second career. A classically trained guitarist, Williams has produced two albums, being nominated for a Latin Grammy award for his second album. Although he has not had a release since 2009, he has kept busy musically, receiving his Bachelor of Music from Manhattan School of Music in 2016.

This is also a stage that Williams has been on before. He performed at the Hall of Fame during the 2019 induction ceremony, and has performed The Star Spangled Banner before Yankees’ games. Williams certainly will not be in unfamiliar territory.

Perhaps, at some point, he will get a chance to perform at another teammate’s induction. Andy Pettitte is still on the ballot, and Jorge Posada received surprisingly scant support. Maybe even Williams will get another look. The Veteran’s Committee could end up putting in another member of the Core Four, with Williams getting to perform for another former teammate.

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Bernie Williams will be on hand at Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony to play The Star Spangled Banner. He is the perfect choice.

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