New York Yankees (1993–2001) Paul O'Neill (baseball)

o neill (right) gary denbo in 2001

on april 30, 1996, o neill hit long home run eutaw street off of arthur rhodes while playing @ oriole park @ camden yards. o neill famously own worst critic, seemingly never satisfied own performance , known emotion on field; when disappointed performance or angry umpire s decision attack water coolers or toss bats on field. tirades both praised , criticized media , fans. o neill involved in brawl seattle catcher john marzano. o neill had complained umpire previous pitch high , inside. marzano hit bigger paul o neill haymaker. 2 grappled, , benches cleared. during 1996 season, o neill played in 150 games batting .302, 19 home runs, 91 rbi, , career-high 102 walks. ended game 5 of 1996 world series robbing former yankee teammate luis polonia of atlanta braves of extra-base hit, preserving 1–0 victory yankees. yankees win series, first world series championship since 1978.

in 1997, o neill played in 149 games batting .324 21 home runs , 117 rbi. led yankees postseason again lost division series cleveland indians. in 1998, o neill played in 152 games batting .317 24 home runs , 116 rbi. led al grounding 22 double plays. o neill led yankees world series won against san diego padres in 4-game sweep , helped team win record 125 games. in 1999, o neill played in 153 games batting .285 19 home runs , 110 rbi. o neill played game 4 of 1999 world series hours after father died. yankees won game , swept braves win 25th world series championship.

in 2000, o neill played in 142 games batting .283 18 home runs , 100 rbi. led yankees postseason again, won world series on new york mets. in 2001, o neill played in 137 games batting .267 21 home runs , 70 rbi. in game 5 of 2001 world series, o neill received sendoff new york fans. while standing in right field in 9th inning yankees down 2–0, entire stadium chanted name. when inning ended, o neill still being cheered. tears in eyes, tipped cap, , roar went crowd @ yankee stadium. yankees won game 3–2, lost series 4 games 3.