No Yankee will Ever Wear Number 21 again

Yankees RF Paul O’Neill via Yanks Go Yard

It was announced on the 22nd of February, that Paul O’Neill, will have his #21 retired adding to his in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. Marking the 23rd member to be inducted into Monument Park, with O’Neill’s #21 being the 22nd number. After O’Neill finished the 1992 season as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, he needed a change of scenery. In the 1992 season, O’Neill compiled a .246 BA, .719 OPS, and 14 HR. Looking for a fresh start, that is when the Yankees came into play. 

Fast forwarding nine years after Paul O’Neill first suited up in pinstripes, he became a staple of the 1990’s Yankees team, before retiring in 2001. In those nine years, O’Neill compiled an outstanding .303 BA, .869 OPS, and 185 HR. Over that span, he ranked first on the team in RBIs (858) and doubles (304), and ranked second in hits (1426), HR (185), XBH (503), and runs (720). Adding the four World Series titles to that resume adds up to be quite the Yankee career.

O’Neill was nicknamed the warrior, which was given to him by George Steinbrenner. The boss always talked to and about his players with emotion, and as he got older, affection. When Steinbrenner first called O’Neill “his warrior”, the name stayed for the longtime Yankee RF. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Yankees dynasty couldn’t have happened without Paul O’Neill. Over the years that Paul played in the Bronx, he embodied everything it meant to be a New York Yankee. He played the game with integrity and always did what he could to help the team win. That’s why this news comes as no surprise. 

O’Neill’s last “hoorah” came during the 2001 World Series, where fans got one last chance to give a beautiful farewell to the warrior. Syncopated chants of “PAUL O NEE-IL” simply would not subside, so with tears in O’Neill’s eyes, the man tipped his cap briefly on the dugout steps.

After Paul’s playing career was over, he took his talents to the broadcasting booth by joining YES Network and doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime soon. He and Michael Kay, who primarily announce Yankee games, he is loved by the media and fans. Paul’s personality and knowledge of the game is a perfect match to Michael Kay’s talents. It is no secret that the Yankees have had some of baseball greats play for the team. It is the team’s highest honor to retire an individual’s number as well as inducting them into their “Hall of Fame”. When the news broke to Paul, he had a response that described him as a player, and a man. 

 “Wow. My heartfelt thanks to the Steinbrenner family, the entire Yankees organization, YES Network, my teammates & coaches over the years, & most importantly the fans of New York. This is the greatest honor of my life. I'm forever grateful for all you have done for me & my family!”

Later on adding..

“I dropped the phone. My wife was in tears. … It’s a day that I won’t forget.”

-Paul O’Neill