9 years = 4 world series, 6 straight 300 seasons, a batting title. Averaged 20 HRs, 95 RBI & a 305 average. A model on consistency. IMO did a lot more then Reggie did in only 5 seasons. So do it already. Put #21 in monument park . "The warrior"
...meh, I think Paulie was a good player, and I always admired his intensity and passion, but I don't consider him at the level of famous Yankee players who are already enshrined in CF...and as far as Reggie, IMO, he doesn't belong.
I don't know rick - I know you are Yankees/Celtics fan, but both teams seems to have gone overboard with retiring numbers and perhaps over-celebrating some very good (but not great) players.
That may very well be the case here. Or maybe I'm just looking at, if Reggie is out there (and I agree with 59 that he doesn't belong) then O'Neill should be out there also. And Yes they're are several Celtics that should not have there #s in the rafters. Sanders & KC Jones are two that come to mind.
And Pasta, one should not get involved in discussions that he knows little or nothing about. Remember that it is better to have people just think that you're an idiot, then to open up your mouth & remove all doubt.
I've seen all Yankee Right Fielders from Hank Bauer forward and Paulie gets my vote for Right Field Starter. No doubt the man cam to play baseball. My favorite Yankee Team was the '78 and O'Neil would have fit right in with that group. I'd have to say though that 21 should be out there before 44 but we fans don't make those decisions.
Honestly I really think putting Reggie out there was a huge mistake. It really put a dent into what type of players really belong there. I mean 5 seasons & a 3 HR world series game hardly measures up to what the other players out there stood for & accomplished over there LONG Yankee careers. Which is why I believe O'Neill is more worthy. JMO.
Part of the problem is that the Yankees have re-issued numbers after the player has retired, but before they retired it. The Scooter's #10 was worn by among other luminaries as Celerino Sanchez, Dave Kingman, Rick Cerone; Maris' #9 was worn for 11 season by Graig Nettles (who many will associate with the number); Murcer wore #1 before it as retired for Billy (Murcer wore it better IMO); Latroy Hawkins wore #21 after O'Neil retired; and while we're at it - Pettitte's 46 was worn by Aaron Guiel and Allan Embree when he was in Houston. If a number isn't retired immediately, or not re-issued at all - then maybe. But I think re-issuing takes away from why you retire it. it's not like the guy who you ultimately retired it for got better from the time he retired.
Excellent post vette but......way back when the club house guy admitted that he made a mistake when he issued Hawkins the #21 which he quickly corrected. That's why if you remember correctly he didn't wear it very long. And to the best of my knowledge no one has worn it since. Now call me crazy but one would think that there's a reason for that, wouldn't one?
