BRONX, N.Y. — The New York Yankees have announced that they will retire No. 21 for Paul O’Neill. The ceremony honoring O’Neill in Monument Park is set to take place on Aug. 21, at Yankee Stadium, as the Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays for a 1:05 p.m. game. Those in attendance will receive a commemorative game ticket.
Dubbed “The Warrior” by late team owner George M. Steinbrenner III, O’Neill is beloved by fans for the fiery passion he displayed in pinstripes. That love was on full display from the O’Neill home run target signs in the mid-90s to the chants of “Paul O’Neill” in his final home game during the 2001 World Series.
In Nov. 1992, the late Yankees general manager Gene “Stick” Michael acquired O’Neill from his hometown Cincinnati Reds along with minor-league first baseman Joe DeBerry, in exchange for All-Star outfielder Roberto Kelly.
O’Neill spent nine seasons in the Bronx, playing the majority of them in right-field. From 1993 to 2001, he took his game to another level as a career .303 hitter with New York.
He won four World Series titles in the Bronx, was a four-time All-Star, and earned the 1994 American League Batting Title with a .359 average.
O’Neill’s No. 21 has more or less been out of circulation since his retirement following the 2001 season, save for relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins in 2008. In 2014, the Yankees honored O’Neill with a plaque in Monument Park. This will mark the 23rd player or manager to have his number retired in club history.
