1991 Profile: Bernie Williams

"Possesses plenty of ability but needs to develop. Williams has spent most of the last two years with Albany (AA) and hit [.281 with eight homers and 54 RBIs] for that club last year. The gifted center fielder also recorded [39 stolen bases], and his improved feel for the strike zone resulted in [98 walks].
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Williams was signed as a free agent in September 1985."

-John Shea and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1991 Edition

"Signed by the Yankees as a free agent in September 1985, Bernie spent the entire 1990 season in Albany-Colonie, hitting .281 with eight homers and 54 RBI in 134 games. He led the Eastern League in runs scored (91), walks (98) and stolen bases (39).
A native of Puerto Rico, Bernie is a remarkable all-around talent who is nearing his major league debut."

-The New York Yankees Official 1991 Yearbook

"Bernie posted all-star numbers in 1990, playing all year at AA Albany. He hit .289 with 28 doubles, five triples, eight home runs and 54 RBIs while stealing 39 bases over 134 games. He led the Eastern League in stolen bases, runs (91) and walks (98) and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team. Bernie was also named to Baseball America's AA All-Star team and was named in Baseball America's postseason poll as the No. 2 prospect overall in the Eastern League. He led Albany in games (134), at-bats (466), runs (91), hits (131), doubles (28), walks (98) and stolen bases (39).
He had a strong middle of the season- over June and July combined he hit .348 (78-for-244) with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 34 RBIs over 63 games. He was named Eastern League Player of the Week for July 16-22, hitting .441 (15-for-34) with nine runs and six steals over nine games.
Bernie sparkled in postseason play for Albany when he hit .350 (7-for-20). He played winter league baseball for Arecibo in the Puerto Rican League. He signed a contract for the 1991 season.
Bernie was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on September 13, 1985. He was signed by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira and recommended by Yankee scout Roberto Rivera. He spent his first professional season at Sarasota in 1986, batting .270 (62-for-230) in 61 games with two home runs, 25 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. He led the Gulf Coast League in runs (45) and caught stealing (12) and led GCL outfielders in total chances (123) and putouts (117). Bernie was named as an outfielder on the Gulf Coast League All-Star team.
In 1987 he split time between Ft. Lauderdale and Oneonta. Bernie started the season at Ft. Lauderdale, where he batted .155 (11-for-71) in 25 games with no home runs, four RBIs and nine stolen bases. He separated his shoulder on May 17, missing a month of the season. Upon his return he was assigned to Oneonta, where in 25 games he hit .344 (32-for-93) with no homers, 15 RBIs and nine stolen bases. He missed additional games later in the year with a groin pull.
Bernie played 91 games for 'A' Prince William in 1988 and batted .338 with 72 runs, 16 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs, 45 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. His season ended on July 14 when he ran into an outfield wall at Hagerstown chasing a fly ball, suffering a right navicular (wrist) fracture. He was placed on the disabled list, where he remained for the rest of the season. Despite his curtailed season Williams led the Carolina League in hitting and finished tied for third in triples. Bernie was added to the Yankee 40-man roster in November of 1988.
In 1989, Bernie combined to split a full season of playing time between Albany and Columbus. He started the season with the Clippers, where he hit .216 with eight doubles, a triple, two home runs and 16 RBIs over 50 games. He joined Albany where he hit for both power and a better average. Over 91 games, Bernie hit .252 with 11 doubles, eight triples, 11 home runs and 42 RBIs; his eight triples ranked third in the Eastern League. 30 of his 79 hits went for extra bases and he posted a .443 slugging percentage. "

-1991 New York Yankees Information Guide

THE WALKER CUP

"Through the efforts of area businessmen Joe Vellano and Frank Staucet, The Walker Cup was implemented during the 1990 Eastern League season.

The three-foot trophy of sterling silver is awarded each season to the Albany-Colonie Yankee Most Valuable Player. The 1990 winner was outfielder Bernie Williams. Williams' name is the first to go on the permanent trophy that is on display in the A-C Yankee offices. Bernie was given a similar replica to take home to his trophy case. A similar replica will be given to the winner each year.

The cup is in memory of Frederick 'Fritz' Walker who passed away in November of 1989. Fritz was the number one A-C Yankee fan as well as being our official photographer. We feel it's fitting that the cup is named in honor of Walker. Our thanks to Vellano Bros. and Staucet (a former Albany Senator player) for their donation of the Walker Cup."

-1991 Albany-Colonie Yankees Yearbook