AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RED SOX v YANKEES

October 13, 1999

Bernie Williams

BERNIE WILLIAMS: I was trying to have a good at-bat, get on base at least. First guy starting off an inning, we got so many good guys hitting behind me that I was just trying to have a good at-bat and get on base.

BERNIE WILLIAMS: That was all I was thinking about the inning before, you know, when Paul grounded out, it was kind of like a set-up for the same situation that I had in 1996. But tried to keep it off my mind because it is a different pitcher, different team, but the set up is sort of the same. But what are the chances of it happening twice? Not too much.

BERNIE WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean we were trying to end that game even before that. We were trying so hard to capitalize. We had a few men on base and a lot of opportunities to score and we just didn't do it. If it took a break like that to get us going, you know, it is welcomed.

BERNIE WILLIAMS: I would say very close. We had a lot of conversations with my agent and Mr. Duquette and Mr. Williams and I have nothing but good things to say about them, the way they handled the conversations and everything that transpired over that period of time. But it is over and I guess I am glad that I am here.

BERNIE WILLIAMS: No. I didn't think it was going to be gone. I knew that he had his back to me and I figured he was going to play it off the wall. When it went I was just -- I was so surprised. It was unbelievable.

BERNIE WILLIAMS: No, not really. If I would have been guessing I probably would have pulled it foul. I think that I remember last time I faced him here in New York he threw me a pitch off the plate, it was inside, he broke my bat. And in those situations talking with Chris and talking with Joe, I think probably the best thing to approach -- best way to approach it is just to stay inside and not try to pull it and that is what I did, tried to stay inside the ball and I hit it in a good part of the bat and put my hips into it and it got -- it went out.