In Paul O’Neill’s seventeen-year career, he hit an average of 22 home runs a year while driving in 100 runners across home plate, but that is not what he is known for. For nine years during the New York Yankees dynasty years, he was the fierce warrior that guarded the right field at the old Yankee Stadium.
Paul Andrew O’Neill was born in Columbus, Ohio, on February 25, 1963, one of six children of which he was the youngest. When Paul O’Neill was five years old, the family moved into a larger house that had a large, grass-covered and tree-shaded backyard that was a perfect template for a makeshift baseball field, where the children spent hours playing pickup games and competing in home run contests. His childhood was special, not only for his love of baseball but also for his love of a five-year-old girl who lived almost next door. The young girl, Nevalee Davis, would become O’Neill’s wife sixteen years later.
O’Neill’s Father “Chick” was a former minor league pitcher. His Dad passed on his knowledge of, and love for, the National Pastime to all six of his children, but it was Paul who picked up the game with ferocious zeal. In that backyard field, is where he learned to avoid the maple tree and hit to the opposite field.
Growing up in Ohio in the 1960s and early ’70s, O’Neill naturally became a fan of the Cincinnati Reds. He would later say, “What I would have given to play on a team with Pete Rose or to throw a ball to Johnny Bench. When Paul was seven years old, “Chick” would take Paul to his first Reds ball game at Crosley Field. At the game, Paul took special notice of the right fielder Roberto Clemente who wore the number 21. Prophetic or not, O’Neill would take the number 21 when he played for the Reds.
Paul would play in the little leagues, where he was coached by his Father. From a very young age, the future Yankee O’Neill was an intense competitor, almost like he was playing for a purpose. He was passionate, he carried the game on his sleeve and would not accept failure easily, something he brought with him throughout his career. Just ask any Gator Aid jug. O’Neill was multi-talented; at the age of 14, he was playing three sports at his Columbus Brookhaven High School.
In baseball games, he would not only hit but pitch as well. In his junior year, he threw a no-hitter in the city championship. In his senior year, he received offers of scholarships to play baseball and basketball. But a Reds scout would intervene and convince Paul to take a minor league contract at his home town Reds.
O’Neill would quickly advance through the minors. In 1984 Paul would play for the Vermont Reds. After the season was over, he would marry his childhood sweetheart. Paul would make his major league debut in 1987 under Manager Pete Rose mostly as a pinch hitter for the team. In 1988 he would become a full-time player and end up playing under Rose and Lou Pinella for eight successful seasons.
On November 3, 1992, the Reds traded Paul O’Neill to the New York Yankees for center fielder Roberto Kelly. At the time, the trade created quite a buzz. Kelly had been the Yankee’s top young prospect. O’Neill was crushed by the news. He was being sent away from his hometown team. “Once I’d set foot inside Yankee Stadium and met with Steinbrenner and general manager Gene Michael, I could see that a whole new baseball life was out there,†O’Neil later recalled.
His 1994 season was outstanding. He led the American League in hitting with a career-high .359 average. O’Neill cashed in on his remarkable season and signed a four-year Yankee contract worth $19 million. That same year he won the Silver Slugger Award.
O’Neill’s most successful seasons were from 1993 to 1998. He hit an average of 37 doubles, 21 home runs, and batted in 100. He appeared in seven ALDS’s, five ALCS’s, and six World Series. His batting average in the combined series was .273. In 1995 The Yankees would appear in their first postseason in 14 years. In a World Series the Yankees would lose, O’Neill hit a home run in the seventh of game two in a 15 inning nail biter.
In game 5, he hit a 2 run blast. O’Neill hit .333 in the series with 6 RBI’s.
In the deciding Game 6 of the 1996 World Series, O’Neill started and ignited the Yankees 3-run rally in the bottom of the third inning with a line-drive double to right field. One out later, he scored on a single by Yankees catcher Joe Girardi. With two outs in the ninth inning, Mark Lemke popped up to third baseman Charlie Hayes, and for the first time 18 years, the Yankees were champions of the baseball world.
The Yankees missed the World Series in 1997, but Paul had a great season, batting .324 with 42 doubles, 21 home runs, and 117 RBIs. He also made his fourth All-Star team. 1998 would see another World Series win for the Yankees. O’Neill hit .317, his sixth straight season of batting at least .300. He also hit 24 homers, collected 40 doubles, and knocked home 116 runs.
In 1999 just hours after his Father “Chick” passed away, O’Neill would play in Game 4 of the World Series. The Yankees eventually won the game and swept the Braves to win their 25th World Series Championship. In 2000 he hit .283 with 18 home runs and 100 RBI. He led the Yankees into the postseason again, who won the World Series over the New York Mets. It would be the last World Series win to date for the Yankees.
When the season ended, O’Neill’s status for the 2001 season was uncertain. His contract had expired; he was 37 years old and, he had a tough late-season and post-season run because of a nagging hip injury that he suffered in August. Once again, he was considering retirement or even playing for another team closer to his hometown in Columbus. But on November 16, 2000, O’Neill signed a one year contract for $7.25 million.
Paul O’Neill decided to retire after the 2001 season. In Game 5 of the failed World Series, O’Neill received a sendoff from New York fans. While standing in right field in the 9th inning with the Yankees down 2–0, the entire stadium continually chanted his name; “Paul O’Neill, Paul O’Neill.”
When the inning ended, O’Neill was still being cheered. With tears in his eyes, he tipped his cap, and another roar went up from the crowd at Yankee Stadium and with that another Yankee great was history. O’Neill was honored with a plaque in Monument Park. He is presently a commentator with the YES Network. One big question remains in New York Yankee fans heads, and that is why he never won a Gold Glove in right field. He was one of the greatest warrior defenders in Yankee history.
Photo: Paul O’Neill with present right-fielder Aaron Judge on New York Yankees opening day on March 28, 2019.
EmpireSportsMedia.com’s Columnist William Parlee is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. Follow me on Twitter @parleewilliam