Thank you, Paul: Yankees to retire Paul O'Neill's number

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Photo credit: MLB.com



The Yankees announced on February 22nd that they will be retiring No. 21 to honor the career of the great Paul O'Neill.


O’Neill (who gave me my first-ever introduction to the Who’s ‘Baba O’Reilly’ as a kid as I’d watch him walk into the batter’s box) was a fan favorite especially for those of us who became Yankees fans thanks to the 1996-2001 group.  His continued commitment to the Yankees as a YES Network announcer (along with David Cone) is a reminder of a different time. 


Per Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch, “Paul O’Neill Day” will be celebrated at Yankee Stadium, featuring a number retirement ceremony, on August 21, 2022 prior to the start of the Yankees/Blue Jays game schedule to take place (barring any delays related to the CBA negotiations).  O’Neill will go down as the 23rd Yankee to have his number retired, and all guests in attendance on August 21 will receive a commemorative ticket. 


Over his nine seasons as a Yankee, O’Neill hit .303 with 158 home runs, 858 RBIs and carried an .869 OPS.  He was a four-time All-Star and was part of all five Yankees World Series teams between 1996 and 2001.  


Yankees fans have often contested the fact that O’Neill, along with teammate Bernie Williams, was left out of the famous “Core Four” of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera.  

While the others were career Yankees (Pettitte was during the “Dynasty Years” of 1996-2001 as he didn’t play for the Astros until 2005 before returning to the Yankees in 2007), Williams was also a career Yankee, and O’Neill will be remembered for his legacy in the Bronx far more than he will ever be associated with the Cincinnati Reds.


To close out, here's a memory that will be remembered by all millennial-aged Yankees fans. Thank you, Paul.





Article by: Mary Grace Donaldson

 

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