TAMPA — The Yankees are finally retiring Paul O’Neill’s number 21.
No yankee has worn it since LaTroy Hawkins briefly had it in 2008 and faced backlash, being booed by fans at american stadium.
O’Neill are honored before the Yankees game against the Blue Jays on aug. — you guessed it — 21.
“Wow. My heartfelt due to the Steinbrenner family, the whole Yankees organization, yes Network, my teammates & coaches over the years, & most importantly the fans of latest York,” O’Neill wrote on Twitter once the Yankees created the announcement on tuesday. “This is that the greatest honor of my life. I’m forever grateful for all you have got in dire straits me & my family!”
O’Neill said soon “The michael Kay Show” that he appreciated the fans’ support throughout — and once — his playing career.
“You can’t write a better script than clearly what the fans [did] said they treated Maine and the way they aforementioned said,’’ O’Neill said. “The things our groups achieved within the late ’90s had heaps to do with this … particularly however everything came along with the Core Four returning and every one the winning. trying back, it had been an incredible time for baseball in the big apple.”
O’Neill compete 9 seasons with the Yankees and won four series titles within the bronx once being nonheritable in an exceedingly trade from his town urban center Reds before the 1993 season in exchange for Roberto Kelly.
He’s the 23rd yankee player or manager to possess his variety retired and also the initial since Derek Jeter was honored in 2017.
O’Neill has had a plaque in Monument Park since 2014 and remains committed the organization, serving as an analyst for the yes Network.
