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Tuesday, November 9
Notebook: Jammin' with the big leaguers

By Ted Bishop
ESPN.com

Music and memories for the MLBPA
Bernie Williams has three World Series rings, a very hefty long-term contract and a batting championship. Not bad considering baseball isn't even his first choice for a profession.


	Bernie plays a mean center field -- and a mean guitar.

The Yankees center fielder spent Thursday night mingling backstage at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas with an eclectic group of musicians that included Mike Mills of R.E.M., Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Delbert McClinton, Eddie Money and the Mavericks. The musicians and several major league players had gathered for the Major League Baseball Players Association's charity Jam Band concert.

Williams was truly enjoying the conversation, which for the most part was baseball-free. Despite his love for baseball, the All-Star admitted that he'd much rather be a professional musician.

"I'd definitely choose music," Williams said with a smile. "However, I'm a little better on the ball field."

Judging by the crowd reaction on Thursday night, Williams might be selling himself a little short. His guitar solo of "Eye of the Storm" brought the half-filled arena to a loud ovation.

But even Williams couldn't go the whole night without talking baseball. When asked if he'd be willing to move positions if Ken Griffey came to New York, he smiled again.

"Getting our current roster locked up should be our first priority," he said. "We'll have to spend some money on Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and others, so I'm not sure there'd be enough money for Griffey, too."

Pressure? What pressure?
As the clock ticked down to showtime, some of MLBPA's Jam Band players were clearly a little jittery about their upcoming performances.

Mark Langston was having some trouble relaxing as his singing partner for the evening, Omar Vizquel, was missing in action.

"Where's Omar?" yelled Langston in the crowded backroom.

"I'd much rather be on the mound for Game 7 of the World Series than performing on stage," admitted Langston. "It's nerve-racking out there because we don't do it that much. Earlier this year we played in front of 4,500 in Cleveland and it was pretty intense because I had never played in front of a crowd that large."

After some suggested that Vizquel may have bailed due to stage fright, Langston burst into laughter.

"You really don't know Omar, do you?" he said.

Backstage with Black Jack
Among the player peformers, retired pitcher Jack McDowell was clearly the most comfortable with the backstage action. Black Jack sat in a corner, decked in a loose-fitting shirt and velvet pants, tuning his guitar.


	Jack McDowell and his beloved guitar.

McDowell talked about the fact that his music might be a little rusty due to the fact that he hasn't played much with his band, Stick Figure, over the past two years.

"I spent a lot of time trying to get my arm back in shape the past two winters for a comeback," said McDowell. "But that dream is done now. So now, I'm turning my attention back to my music."

He then strolled over to R.E.M.'s Mike Mills for a last-minute run through on the two songs, "Damage Control" and "Superman," that they would be peforming together. Mills gave McDowell some kudos on his pants before explaining how he expands his own wardrobe.

"I just wait until we do a video," Mills said. "Then when they wheel in the wardrobe racks, I just say 'I need this, this, and that' and take it with me when I leave."

Comeback kid
Twenty-one-game winner Jose Lima got the evening started, teaming with Megadeth's Dave Mustaine for the National Anthem to start the show. Lima's vocal performance didn't exactly set the house on fire.

"That wasn't so good," said a smiling Lima as he joined the other musicians backstage following the song.

But Lima redeemed himself with the seventh song of the night, "La Gozadera." The Astros pitcher was at ease with the Salsa tune in his native Spanish tongue.

His performance drew rave reviews from musician Delbert McClinton, who performed his "Giving it up for your love" with Paul O'Neill on drums.

"I don't know who most of these guys are," admitted McClinton. "But the guy who performed that Salsa tune was really good. He's got my vote."

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