Should the Yankees retire Paul O'Neill's #21?

Question

Give me your thoughts and explanations. I believe they should because he was so vital to the Yankees in their late 90's WS run

Answer 1

Definitely. Besides the obvious that no Yankee player has worn #21 since O'Neill's retirement, he has contributed greatly to the Yankees World Series Championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. He is also a fan favorite, and the fans chanted his name when he played his last game at Yankee Stadium. He has played for the Yankees from 1993-2001. Despite the fact that he had a fiery temper, it wasn't of Billy Martin caliber, and O'Neill wanted to help the Yankees win. When he would get mad, it is usually at himself. Here are some of Paul O'Neill's accomplishments:

1994 Batting Champion (.359).
He is also one of the players who have hit 3 home runs in a game, which he did against the Angels in 1995. He also had 8 RBI's in the same game.
5x All Star (4x with the Yankees).
Is one of the major league players who has 2000 hits, 400 doubles, 1000 runs and 1000 RBI's

Answer 2

Yes, I think the Yankees should retire #21, but not because Paul O'Neill wore it. There is a proposal before MLB to retire #21 on ALL baseball teams to commemorate the late/great Roberto Clemente's contribution to the game. He not only was the first great Puerto Rican in the Hall of Fame, but his humanitarianism is an example that all baseball players should follow.

Answer 3

No, he wasn't homegrown and although he was very important to them over the years, he isn't one of the greatest yankees of all time in my opinion. Plus if they retire everyone's numbers who were on the late 90's teams, there will be no numbers left for future players to wear, LOL.

Having said that, I think that it probably will be retired eventually.

Answer 4

No. I'm not a big retired number guy. I like seeing great players follow in the tradition of other great players. My exception would be tragic deaths or superstars who spent virtually their entire career in one place.

Jeter and Rivera are a far more interesting argument. They'll probably get the numbers retired. O'Neill was a nice player, but that's as far as I'd go.

Answer 5

No. Number retirement should be about players who are way above the rest. O'Neill was good but not exceptional. Do you really think he should be in the class of other yankee's who've had their numbers retired? Guys like Ruth, Dimaggio, Mantle, Ford, Berra and the rest? Not even close. People today seem to want to settle for mediocrity even for hall of fames. Just look at some of the bands/people in the rock hall of fame. Its sad when you get one hit wonders in the hall or guys that hit .275 or the like in Cooperstown. Honors like retiring a number should really mean a player was special not just good like O'Neill. And ask anyone who really knows baseball and he never reached his full potential.

Answer 6

Yes i think so he played a huge role in the Yankees success in the late 90s and he remains a fan favorite. The yanks will also eventually retire the #'s of jeter, rivera, pettitte, clemens (as long as he goes in the hall as a yankee), gossage (as long as he goes in the hall as a yankee), and posada.

Answer 7

If the Yankees retired the numbers of all their great players, players would have numbers in the triple digits.

Answer 8

He was a really good player and I think he was a real symbol of what made the yankees great in the 90's.

Answer 9

Yes i think so he played a huge role in the Yankees success in the late 90s and i loved his intensity

Answer 10

No, although he was a good player for them he doesn't belong in the same category as the Yankees' legends!!!