I’m not old enough to have seen Reggie play, but the most popular image I see of his legacy is of him hitting 3 homeruns in the World Series.

I remember O’neil for three great World Series moments as well. First, the catch he made in the 1996 WS to end game 5. That catch ignited the team. Second was in a losing effort to Cleveland in the 1997 Divisional Series. He played hurt and legged out a double (on one good leg) and managed to make a ridiculous slide to keep the game alive. And the third reason, King George loves him.

As far as O’Neill’s number …Pete didn’t finish Paul’s statement. He was flattered that fans felt that way but he finished saying that he had NO PROBLEM with LaTroy wearing his number. Pete left the last part of the quote off …that’s unfair to Paul.

Paul was the heart and soul of this team when he played here and I think that’s what the fans appreciate including Mr. Steinbrenner who dubbed him “The Warrior”. With that said there is absolutely no excuse for the fans who boo any player for wearing his number. I remember what he did for this team and I don’t need his number retired to feel the respect and admiration I have for him. He did that by playing 110% every game for his team and the fans. That’s why Paul has the love of so many Yankee fans to this day.

Go Yankees 2008 !!!

I would, however, like to know how many of those that say O’Neill doesn’t deserve it, were at the Stadium for Game 5 of the 2001 WS. How many players, Yankees or otherwise, in recent memory have gotten that kind of a send off? In my book, the ovation and tribute that he got that night says a lot more and counts for a lot more than stats.

I grew up watching Paul O’Neill play, and he was my favorite player as a kid. I don’t know if he “deserves” to have his number retired. But I would be happy if it was, under these circumstances or any other. If I’m at Yankee Stadium, I’m not going to boo Hawkins or anybody else for wearing the number, but I am going to wish he wasn’t. Nothing personal against Hawkins.

But, Paul was not any old player on a Championship team. He was an all star player who was the emotional leader of the team. Beyond being a fan favorite, he batted third, a spot often reserved for a team’s best (or second best) hitter. He was NO shlub. When a team wins 4 World Series, and appears in 2 more, a bunch of numbers from that ERA ought to be retired. Look at past championship teams across sports (Yankees, Celtics, Lakers, even the Knicks all have many players from each championship era retired). So in order of deserving numbers to be retired from that era I say…2, 42, 6, 51, 21, maybe 46. Yeah, Paul is 4 or 5 on that list, and maybe doesn’t make the cut, but he’s close enough to be having this conversation.

As someone who has grown up watching and loving the Yankees, I’ve never been more ashamed of Yankees fans. Paul O’Neil was emotional and was great for many seasons but that does not mean we should boo and hate Latroy Hawkins. What Roberto Clemente has done for baseball is about 100 times more than what Paul O’Neil has done. Sure Paul has broken a few bats and been angry, shown emtions and batted .330 but the accomplishments and impact of Roberto Clemente overwhelm Paul both on a baseball and life impact. Don’t get me wrong, I love Paulie and he did good things for the Yanks, but so did lots of Yankees and that doesnt mean their number is retired. You have to do great things to have your number retired as a Yankee. If anything this shows us, Clemente should have number retired by the Yankees and other teams. Obviously he is not Jackie Robinson but his impact on baseball is undeniable.

The Yankees fans have comitted a great wrong doing by how they have treated Latroy and his number. Great you support Paulie but if Paul is getting his number retited, next thing you know any player on a championship team is getting their number retited…

i woulda definately loved to see you get into this one haha.