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On this day in Yankees history – The Yankees trade for The Warrior

 


Back on November 3, 1992, then General Manager Gene “Stick” Michael made one of the greatest trades in franchise history. He sent OF Roberto Kelly to the Reds for OF/1B Joe DeBerry and OF Paul O’Neill.

The Yankees went 76-86 in 1992, good for fourth place in the East. Kelly was named as an all-star that season, hitting .272 with 10 homers and 66 RBI. O’Neill on the other hand hit .246 with 14 homers and 66 RBI. His numbers had regressed since putting up a career year in ’91.

Kelly was once deemed untouchable by the Yankees – a valuable piece that would be part of the core for the future. However, the Yankees grew impatient with Kelly and shipped him away to Cincinnati. Stick believed the team needed an impact lefty bat who also possessed a good OBP. What he ended up getting was one of the most beloved and intense players the Yankees have ever had.

In Cincinnati, manager Lou Piniella wanted O’Neill to become a pure power hitter. With the Yankees, he developed a more balanced approach. In the strike-shortened year of 1994, O’Neill captured the batting title – hitting a robust .359 in 103 games. After the heartbreaking loss to the Mariners in the ALDS in ’95, the Yankees went on to win four championships in five years with O’Neill right in the middle of it. He, along with Bernie Williams, helped build the culture and paved the way for the Core Four.

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Known for his temper, O’Neill became a fan favorite very quickly. Manager Joe Torre once said that the reputation around the league was that O’Neill was selfish, but the only selfish thing he noticed was that O’Neill wanted to get a hit every time up. Players knew to steer clear of the water cooler at the end of the bench after O’Neill got out.

O’Neill entered the 2001 season amongst rumors that it would be his last. In game five of the World Series, which would end up being O’Neill’s final home game, 56,018 people let him know how much he meant to the franchise. It didn’t matter that the Yankees were losing 2-0 and were on the verge of going down in the series 3-2. In unison, chants of “PAUL-O’NEILL!” rang out. It became one of the most iconic moments at the old Yankee Stadium. He would go on to retire at season’s end. As a Yankee, he hit .303/.377/.492 with 185 HR and 185 RBI.

O’Neill was honored with a plaque in monument park in 2014. His number wasn’t retired, but it’s not willingly issued to current players. If a player does choose it, the fans will let them know their displeasure. See LaTroy Hawkins. Anyway, the Yankees have yet to see another player come through the Bronx like O’Neill. He was one of a kind – a hard nosed player who played hurt all the time.

It all began on this day 25 years ago.