MLB: Fans boo Yankees owner, GM as team retires Paul O’ Neill’s no 21

Fans of the New York Yankees booed the team owner Hal Steinbrenner and General Manager Brian Cashman as the team retired former right fielder Paul O’Neill’s number 21 jersey on Sunday, making him the 23rd player or manager in franchise history to be honored in this manner.

The New York Yankees also gave O’Neill a plaque in Monument Park which is a museum located in the team’s home stadium, the Yankee Stadium, eight years ago for his contributions to the team’s winnings over the years.

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The supporters of the Yankees team were visibly upset during the 8-minute-long speech of O’Neill as they continued to hurl jeers against the owner and GM. The cause for this behavior is due to the fact that the Yankees have lost 14 of the last 18 matches but the team is still atop of the American League’s East division with a 73-48 record and possesses the second-best record in the conference, behind Houston Astros who are just four games ahead of the team.

Former player, Paul O’Neill thanked the fans several times during his speech. He began by saying, “You Yankee fans have obviously been practicing, and it still sounds great today.”

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He continued, ‘The fans remember the teams that win and we won,” O’Neill said. “And we won a lot.”

Prior to joining the Yankees in 1993, Paul O’Neill also won a World Series Title with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990.

O’Neill stood next to his wife and family six minutes into the ceremony to unveil his retired number in Monument Park. Highlights from his final home game in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series and his running catch to end Game 5 of the 1996 World Series were shown on the video board as he was brought onto the field in a golf cart.

“That’s why I’m celebrating this day because this is the biggest dream that I’ve ever had in my life,” added O’Neill.

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O’Neill is a four-time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees. He played for the team from 1993 to 2001, retiring with the team as well. The team won titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Short video messages from Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, and David Cone were also included in the tribute. 

This is the first jersey announcement for the team since 2017 when Derek Jeter‘s No. 2 was honored.