Bernie Williams, a five-time All-Star with the New York Yankees, was one of nine players added to the Major League Baseball team that will tour Japan in November, organizers announced Saturday.
Williams, who finished the 2002 season hitting .333 with 19 home runs and 102 RBIs, will be the first Yankee to play in the series in Japan in a dozen years. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has refused to allow his players on postseason tours, citing injury concerns.
Anaheim Angels shortstop David Eckstein and left-hander Scott Schoeneweis, who are in the midst of the ALCS, were also named to the squad.
Ichiro Suzuki and Barry Bonds were among those named earlier to the team. The MLB stars will play games against their Japanese counterparts from Nov. 9-17.
Also on the MLB team are St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria and Minnesota Twins outfielder Jacque Jones.