Growing up in Puerto Rico, New York Yankees great Bernie Williams always loved playing the guitar.

"My dad taught me my first chords at the age of 7, and I haven't stopped playing since," Williams said. "Music is definitely part of who I am."

As a high school freshman, Williams enrolled in a performing arts school to round out his knowledge of music.

But, then that "Yankees gig" -- as he calls it -- came calling and Williams had to choose.

"My parents were hoping I was preparing to become a doctor or a lawyer," said Williams, now 42. "They figured that if baseball didn't work out, I could go back to school at the University of Puerto Rico."

Baseball did work out, of course, as Wiliams -- at age 17 -- was signed by the Yankees and eventually a key cog in a championship machine. He played 16 years, won four World Series rings, a batting title and was a five-time All-Star.

But he never gave up the guitar.

"My baseball career was skyrocketing, but people know that I always have my guitar around me and I'm always strumming," Williams said. "Music was always a great source of pride for my family when me and my brother would play at the family gatherings."

Williams has released two CDs, performed around the world and earlier this month released a book about the marriage of music and sports. The book, in which Williams said he "bared his soul," is called "Rhythms of the Game."

"My hope is the book will help a lot of young people, saying they don't have to choose one or the other," Williams said. "You can be a jock and an artist at the same time. If you're having fun at both and are good at both, keep doing it."