WHY HE'LL ALWAYS BE OUR WARRIOR

Every time someone mentions Paul O’Neill, my mind instantly goes back to the 1st day of November, 2001. During what would be his final game, a World Series game, The Warrior tipped his cap to over 50,000 Yankees fans that literally stopped the game, chanting his name over and over again. One of the most memorable moments in baseball history, not because of the love and respect that fans showed a player, but because of the love and respect that #21 showed us. As he exited the field at Yankee Stadium for the last time, he was, and is, far from forgotten.

This October game was no ordinary fall day. Less than one month earlier, New York City fell victim to the first attack ever waged on American soil. The city was physically and emotionally devastated. Baseball games were cancelled for a few weeks, and people all around world watched when America’s game resumed. Frightened and battered, New York City opened its boundaries, and now, the whole world was proclaiming their love for New York. Paul O’Neill, a Yankees legend, was not only the hero of the Bronx, but now, he belonged to the world. When he left the game that day in October, it symbolized of the end of an era for New York. It was now a different time, a different city, and a different world.The Warrior isn’t knocking over water coolers in the dugout anymore. He is now announcing games on behalf of the team that made him a legend. His calm approach to announcing is very different from the passionate expressions that we were used to seeing while he played each game. Nonetheless, he grows even closer in our hearts, as he jokes about his enormous appetite, the fact that his wife hides his trophies on him, or the razzing he gets from his kids. This legend is a human being, and he never lets us down. He may be the guy that everyone likes to make fun of in the broadcast booth, but we will never forget that Paul O’Neill was no one to be reckoned with when you faced him on the field. There are not many players that could have made the seamless transition from player to broadcaster, but Paul O’Neill did, once again proving that he is a winner, whatever he chooses to do.

If I close my eyes, I can still hear it. November 1, 2001. Paul O’Neill…Paul O’Neill...Paul O’Neill... the day a legend left the field, for higher ground, but not too far away from home. Just a few rows up and away from home plate.



--Christy Lee, BYB Staff Writer




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