from Yankees.com
By Mark Feinsand
May 2, 2002
Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Britney Spears....Bernie Williams? The Yankees' center fielder was named one of People's "50 Most Beautiful People" for 2002 in the latest edition of the magazine, which hit newsstands this week. Williams is one of three athletes to make this year's list, joining Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and U.S. Olympic speedskater Apolo Ohno.
"I don't know what to think about it. It's kind of odd," Williams said. "I usually get accolades for what I do, which is play baseball. Beautiful? I don't know what to say."
Williams, who has gotten off to a slow start this season, did not believe it when he was told he had made the list. He did the photo shoot for the issue a couple of weeks ago at Yankee Stadium.
"When I heard about it, I asked them if they were sure that they had the right guy," Williams said. "Everyone is calling me on the phone and telling me I'm beautiful. People are pinching my cheeks."
Williams is not the first Yankee to make People's list, as Derek Jeter has been tabbed twice by the magazine in its annual special issue, most recently in 1999. Williams expects to take some ribbing from his teammates -- particularly Jeter. When the shortstop made the list, Williams gave Jeter a hard time about it when the issue was released.
"I won't hear the end of this for a good two or three months," Williams said. "I used to call Jeter 'beautiful' when he made the list a couple of years ago. I'd say, 'How you doing, beautiful?' every time he walked by. Now, he'll probably get t-shirts made or something."
Before the Yankees stepped out for batting practice on Thursday, Jeter vowed not to seek revenge against Williams, choosing instead to be the bigger man.
"The first time I made the list, the guys all gave me a hard time," Jeter said. "I'll leave Bernie alone and let him enjoy it. I just want to see the picture."
But when the two were standing by the batting cage during BP, Jeter simply couldn't resist taking a shot at Williams.
"You're not number 51 anymore," said Jeter to the delight of his teammates. "You're number 50 now!"
David Wells, who is not likely to join Jeter and Williams on the list any time soon, got a good laugh when informed that his teammate had been selected by People.
"Bernie Williams? God bless him," Wells said. "It's great, it gives him a lot of recognition. Bernie's a great guy. He's a bit on the quiet side, but he could be a good role model to a lot of people."
Williams is batting just .239 this season with one home run and seven RBIs. He took cortisone shots in both of his shoulders on April 15, and says he's getting closer to full-strength with every passing day.
"I'm feeling better every day, getting stronger each day," Williams said.
Joe Torre said that Williams is deserving of his spot on the list, as he has remained the same caring individual that he first met in 1996.
"He's a lot of things to a lot of people, and that's important. Money has not changed this man," Torre said. "From when I took over here seven years ago, he hasn't changed a bit as an individual.
"He used to hit better," added a smirking Torre, "but hopefully that will change."
