Former New York Yankees right fielder Paul O’Neill was one of the most loved players on the Yankees’ dynasty.
He was a fiery personality with a sweet swing from the left side.
O’Neill joined the Yankees prior to their championship runs and became a cornerstone of those teams.
While much of those teams were built on a youthful foundation, O’Neill gave them a veteran presence.
11/3/1992 – The Reds trade Paul O'Neill and Joe DeBerry, a minor leaguer, to the Yankees for Roberto Kelly. Pretty good deal for Yanks. pic.twitter.com/FT9PXCsJD3
— River Ave. Blues (@RiverAveBlues) November 3, 2016
Since ending his career, he has remained close to the sport and with the Yankees.
What happened to him and where is he today?
Quiet Beginnings
O’Neill was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round of the 1981 MLB Draft.
While he made some appearances in the majors in 1985 and 1986, he didn’t begin getting much playing time until 1987.
In 84 games, O’Neill hit .256 with seven home runs and 28 RBI.
He came back the next season as a starter for the Reds.
In 145 games, he hit 16 home runs and had a .252 average.
This marked a string of seasons that were solid, but not amazing.
He quickly developed himself into a serviceable major league right fielder during his time with the Reds.
O’Neill also started to earn the reputation as a hot-head that didn’t hold his emotions back on the field.
An example of his was when he kicked a ball in the outfield out of frustration and saved a run.
He was also a central part to the Reds’ 1990 World Series winning team.
His most notable season with the team came in 1991, when he set a career high for home runs with 28.
He also posted a .256 batting average with 91 RBI on the way to his first career All-Star appearance.
However, he struggled the next season, as his power numbers dropped by half and his batting average dropped to .246.
At a crossroads in his career, it was clear that the then 29-year-old needed some kind of jumpstart.
O’Neill Joins Yankees
After the 1992 season, the Reds traded O’Neill to the Yankees.
The Yankees traded for Paul O'Neill on this day in 1992, sending Roberto Kelly to the Reds. pic.twitter.com/qa9nv7VetH
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) November 3, 2019
Here, in a new organization, he found new life.
In his first season with the team, he hit 20 home runs and had a .311 batting average.
The next year was even better as he shined in the strike-shortened 1994.
In just 103 games, he hit 21 home runs with 83 RBI and a league leading .359 average.
He had finally established himself as a talented and adept hitter in the MLB.
At this time, the Yankees’ fortunes on the field began to turn as well.
In 1995, they made the playoffs with O’Neill once again hitting .300 with 22 home runs.
Today In 1995: New York #Yankees star Paul O'Neill hits 3 HR's and collects 8 RBI vs. the California #Angels at Yankee Stadium! #MLB #TheWarriorpic.twitter.com/mTsIefeyT6
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) August 31, 2019
This would set up a 1996 season that sparked a dynasty in New York.
A Cornerstone Of The Yankees Dynasty
His true legacy in the Yankees franchise would come over the next six years.
1996 started this.
He hit .302 with 19 home runs in this season as the Yankees made a run all the way to the World Series.
Here, the team came back from a 2-0 deficit and won the championship.
The next season, O’Neill once again became an All-Star as he hit .324 with 21 home runs.
However, 1998 would be one of the most well-rounded seasons of his career.
1998 ALCS Game 4:
Paul O’Neill opens up the Yankee scoring with a home run off former teammate Dwight Gooden. pic.twitter.com/VLHwMMbANW
— ‘94 Brian Leetch (@MikeInNewHaven) June 11, 2020
In the heart of a Yankees team that is considered one of the best all-time, O’Neill slugged 24 home runs with 116 RBI and a .317 batting average.
The Yankees dominated the MLB this season, easily winning the championship.
However, it would be the beginning of the statistical drops for O’Neill.
Up to this point, he had posted six straight years with a batting average over .300.
This would end in 1999 as it dropped to .285.
In 2000, it was .283.
The Yankees still won the World Series in each of those seasons, bringing the total up to four World Series wins in five years.
In 2001, O’Neill still slugged 21 home runs but had a .267 batting average, his lowest since 1992.
An aging superstar, he decided to retire after the 2001 season.
He finished his career with 2,105 hits, 281 home runs and a .288 career average.
On top of that, he added five World Series rings.
O’Neill Post Retirement
Quickly after he retired, O’Neill became a broadcast analyst for the Yankees.
He would periodically serve as a color commentator in the booth where he remains today.
Paul O’Neill went to check on Gary Thorne after that Gleyber bomb to make sure he was still alive 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/sqLyEeXU26
— The Short Porch (@short_porch) August 13, 2019
Most Yankees fans love the variety he brings to the booth, including stories from his time with the team.
While his number hasn’t yet been retired, many have called for it to be immortalized.
The team did however honor O’Neill in 2014 as they gave him a plaque in Monument Park.
“When I look at this plaque and I think about what the Yankees mean to the sports world, basically, they are the best,” O’Neill said. “That’s just the way it is.”
O’Neill was a beloved member of the Yankees dynasty and fans of the franchise will look back on his career fondly.
He was a source of energy for a team that dominated the MLB.
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Steve C says
Paul ONeil”s name does not usually come up, when you talk of possible managers. This has always had me wondering, why not?
The only thing I can think of is that he is too intense. Maybe his interaction with water coolers and Gatorade coolers scare them.
Some could use his intensely. Millionaire’s or not.