Trailing 2-0 in the American League Division Series, the New York Yankees are one loss away from their season ending — a situation that Bernie Williams had been in during his playing days. The Toronto Blue Jays have dominated the Yankees in the first two games of the ALDS, and the panic meter in the Bronx is high. Williams found himself in a similar hole in 2001, as his dynastic Bronx Bombers were aiming for a fourth straight World Series. Those Yankees lost the first two games of that ALDS at home before winning the next two in Oakland against the Athletics and then winning Game 5 back in the Bronx.
The cliché may be to have a short memory, but Williams has another piece of advice for the 2025 Yankees. He emphasized the importance of not repeating past mistakes, but also staying focused on the present. He told Fox News Digital that the Yankees need to be in the moment, taking it one at-bat and one pitch at a time. Williams believes that by doing everything in their power, they can ensure their success. If they don’t make it, he said, they can look in the mirror and say, ‘I did everything I could.’ He also mentioned that the Yankees have to deal with the slow decision-making of the current front office, which differs from the more decisive approach of the past, especially without the influence of George Steinbrenner.
With the Yankees’ season on the brink, manager Aaron Boone is once again at the forefront of the finger-pointing from Yankees fans. But Williams knows Boone is in a much different environment than Joe Torre, who managed Williams for 11 seasons. He believes that Boone is working with a different set of circumstances, with the front office relying on analytics and making more calculated decisions. Williams also noted that the Yankees are fighting against teams that have adopted similar strategies, making them a target. Despite these challenges, Williams admitted that the Yankees’ dynasty has spoiled the fan base, making them expect easy wins. However, he still believes this year’s squad has a great opportunity to make a comeback, especially if they can gain that little spark of luck in the upcoming games.