To all the Yankee fans out there?

Question

Everyone talks about how great Jeter and Bernie were during the World Series runs, but I think that Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill were bigger reasons that they won those W.S. What do you think?

Answer 1

I'd have to agree.Despite the fact I'm not a Yankee fan I watched the games and it appeared that Tino and Paul had been overlooked.

Answer 2

I totally agree with you. I'm a major Yankee fan...Mainly because I follow Ron Guidry's season and my favorite player is Don Mattingly.
But to the previous World Series Yankees... I do think that Jeter and Williams were key factors to those teams. Jeter is the captain for a reason, and makes players great around him. And Williams was amazing in the outfield and at the plate. But I have to agree with you that Tino and Paul were the major factors to make them winners. Paul was the true leader in the outfield and amazing at the plate. And Tino could surprise any pitchers when he was up to bat. You could never be lazy when he was up to bat. When they left the Yankees, they have never been the same.

Now let's not also forget the mound people...Roger Clemens, Petite, Wells, Elduque were all lights out in the play offs. And then the Rivera!

Last but not least, can't forget the World Series MVP---Scott Brocius...He was the heart!

Answer 3

Jeter and Bernie had more big game/playoff hits overall than Tino and Paul. Tino had a few big hit but nothing in comparisons to what Jeter and Bernie has done.

Paul was a warrior period and came through mostly on the defensive end during the playoffs.

Answer 4

You seem to have forgotten that Cecil Fielder was playing first base when the Yankees were kicking Atlanta's butt in Atlanta in the 96 series. In fact, Tino (despite his big granny vs. San Diego in 98) has been a pretty poor post season player. On the other hand, Paul will always be loved at Yankee Stadium, and to the earlier replier, I agree with you- Mariano is immortal. There will never be another Mo, and the Yankees fans will only realize it after he's gone and we have to go through closer after closer after closer to find a reliable guy.

Answer 5

I never liked the Yankees as a whole but Paul O'Neill (who couldn't hit in the National League) was a gritty, gutsy character who, although never hit a World Series home-run did hit 11 postseason home-runs and had a clutch double in extra-innings in the '96 World Series - I think.

"O'Neill is fondly remembered by Yankee fans as the "heart and soul" of the team's dynasty in the 1990s. Yankee owner George Steinbrenner also labeled him as a "Warrior".

Answer 6

Tino and Paul O'neill were a big part of it. I don't think that you can point to any "one" or "two" people that put them over the top. Remember they had pitching - Pettite, Cone, Clemens, Wells, Rivera, Wetteland, Gooden etc.
They had lots of position players like - Boggs, Sierra, Duncan, Hayes, Leyritz, Girardi, Daryl Strawberry, Sojo etc etc.
They gelled at the right moment in time and it very well could have been 5 in a row if things worked out in 97 and 2001.

Answer 7

I guess this is why baseball is considered a team sport. I think that every player, from the highest paid right down to the bat boys contributed to the success of those 3 in a row special years. It was all in the chemistry of those teams. To say that Jeter or Bernie stood out above the rest would be unfair the rest of their teammates. I attribute this concept to the recent lack of success in October, they seem to be lacking the chemistry

Answer 8

They were all a big part of the championship run, but no one was bigger than the man, Mariano Riveria. Without MR, the Yanks wouldnt have been to pull off what they did in the late 90's... This coming from a huge Yankee fan...

Answer 9

i dnt kno about bernie, but jeter is a big reason why the yanks have had so much success..he is an asset on the offensive side, as well as the defensive..he's an all around powerhouse..

Answer 10

Tino is the man, i have always thought so but he is quiet and never gets credit