Bernie Williams built his reputation patrolling center field during the Yankees dynasty of the late 1990s, but these days, his guitar strings are creating a different kind of legacy.
The five-time All-Star and four-time World Series champion has transformed his lifelong passion for music into a platform for health advocacy, honoring his late father who succumbed to a rare lung disease more than two decades ago.
As Rare Disease Day approaches, Williams has intensified his work with the “Tune In To Lung Health” initiative, which supports patients battling interstitial lung disease (ILD) — the same condition that claimed his father’s life in 2001.
“He was the one that taught me how to play baseball,” Williams said. “He was the one that taught me how to play music with my guitar. All of these things come together full circle with this initiative, where I can really give back to the community, remember his legacy, and do great things.”
Williams fighting a silent killer for his father
Williams’ father, Bernabe Williams Figueroa Sr., died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive form of ILD that causes irreversible scarring of lung tissue. The condition affects approximately 50,000 Americans annually, often leaving patients dependent on oxygen supplementation as their breathing capacity diminishes.
Unlike more widely recognized respiratory conditions, ILD remains relatively unknown to the general public despite its devastating effects. Many patients struggle not only with physical limitations but also with the emotional toll of a disease that literally takes their breath away.
Through “Tune In To Lung Health,” Williams has developed programs that leverage musical concepts to help patients manage their symptoms. The initiative combines breathing exercises with musical therapy to improve both physical functioning and emotional well-being.
“Music has always been a really important part of my life, and as I’ve grown older, I can see how powerful music is in all aspects of life,” Williams explained. “You can use it for healing. If you’re emotional, it can get you through hard times. The power of music is just so vast.”
From diamond to stage: The talent catches eye
Since retiring from baseball in 2006 after 16 seasons with the Yankees, Williams has established himself as a serious musician. His guitar skills have earned him widespread recognition, including a Latin Grammy nomination for his jazz album “Moving Forward” in 2009.
His musical journey will reach another milestone on March 27 — coinciding with MLB’s Opening Day — when Williams and his band perform at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The venue, famous for launching Bruce Springsteen’s career, will host not only a concert but also a fireside chat where Williams will discuss his advocacy work.
The timing and location hold special significance for Williams, who shares a unique connection with Springsteen dating back to his playing days.
“I have this Fender Telecaster in my locker and I said to him, ‘Hey, would you please sign this? I’m not going to make you sign a ball or bat. I think this would be really cool,'” Williams recalled of a memorable clubhouse encounter with “The Boss.”
Springsteen obliged with a prophetic inscription: “To Bernie, if you ever get tired of baseball…”
Years later, Williams joined Springsteen and his wife on stage during a Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation dinner, performing an acoustic rendition of “Glory Days.”
“That was a great moment,” he said. “It’s one of the things I remember and will never forget.”
The science behind music therapy
The medical community has increasingly recognized music’s therapeutic potential for respiratory conditions. For ILD patients, whose lung function progressively deteriorates, techniques that enhance breath control can significantly improve quality of life.
Williams draws parallels between singing and the breathing challenges faced by ILD patients.
“Breathing is a huge part of singing, using your voice as an instrument,” he said. “For people that really value every single breath they take, having these exercises to improve the quality of life is really important.”
Research has demonstrated that structured musical activities can help patients develop more efficient breathing patterns, reduce anxiety, and create moments of joy amid difficult health circumstances.
Keeping his dad’s legacy alive
Williams, now 56, has pledged to continue his advocacy work indefinitely, viewing it as both a tribute to his father and a responsibility to others facing similar challenges.
“As long as I have a breath, I will try to give people information and try to educate people about what I went through and what my father went through,” Williams said.
His commitment represents a seamless blend of his two greatest passions — baseball and music — with the deeply personal mission of honoring his father’s memory through meaningful action.
For a man who once helped define an era of Yankees excellence, Williams’ most enduring contribution may ultimately come from what he accomplishes off the field, one breath and one note at a time.
Those interested in learning more about Williams’ advocacy can visit the “Tune In To Lung Health” website for resources on ILD, breathing exercises, and music therapy. Tickets for his March 27 performance at the Stone Pony are currently available through the venue’s website.
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