Game 116: Paul O’Neill Day

The Yankees are looking for their fourth straight win and seventh in their last eight games this afternoon, but, before they play the Indians, they will unveil a plaque in Monument Park for Paul O’Neill. The team is not retiring his No. 21 and I wonder if that means it will be put back into circulation now that O’Neill is being honored. It would be weird to keep it off limits without retiring it.

Anyway, the two Paul O’Neill moments that stand out to me are the Paul O’Neill chant in Game Five of the 2001 World Series and his catch to end Game Five of the 1996 World Series. The chant in 2001 doesn’t really need an explanation. I still get goosebumps when I watch the video (above!). The catch in 1996 saved at least the tying run from scoring and likely the go-ahead run as well. O’Neill’s legs were banged up all series and it was painful just watching him move, but he was able to run down Luis Polonia’s line drive for the 27th out. Here’s the video.

There are plenty of other great Paul O’Neill moments, of course, and we’ll get to re-live some of them this afternoon. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:30pm ET and you can watch all of it live on YES. The Yankees and Indians will then play their game at 1:05pm ET and you can watch that exclusively on Fox Sports 1. Here’s the channel finder, here’s the Indians lineup, and here’s the Yankees lineup:

1. LF Brett Gardner
2. SS Derek Jeter
3. CF Jacoby Ellsbury
4. DH Carlos Beltran
5. 1B Chase Headley
6. 2B Stephen Drew
7. 3B Martin Prado
8. RF Ichiro Suzuki
9. C Frankie Cervelli
   RHP Brandon McCarthy

The weather in New York is absolutely perfect right now. Couldn’t ask for a better day to spend at the ballpark. Enjoy the ceremony and the game.

Injury Updates: Mark Teixeira (finger) tried to swing a bat today but it was “very painful.” The joint bothers him more than the cut. He remains day-to-day … Brian McCann (concussion) will see a specialist today and may be placed on the 7-day DL. Austin Romine is said to be the likely call-up candidate … Michael Pineda (shoulder) feels fine following yesterday’s rehab start and says he’s ready to return to the rotation. It’s not his call, however.