O’Neill Will Retire When Series Comes to End

The backbone of the Yankees said good-bye to his fans Thursday night.

For nine years, Paul O’Neill showed his teammates how to win, how not to give up. Also, how to throw helmets and bats, kick benches and punch walls.

After the Yankees’ 3-2 win in 12 innings in Game 5, O’Neill said he would retire after the World Series.

Out on the field, O’Neill said he wasn’t thinking about playing in baseball’s most famous ballpark for the final time.

“If you’re out 20 games in September, you might,” he said.

Not now, not in the World Series.

“You’ve prepared your whole lifetime to play in games like these,” he said.

Given his choice, he would rather never attract attention. Just go out, do your job. Succeed and credit your teammates or lose and blame it on your own failure to come through.

“Paul-O’Neill! Paul-O’Neill,” the entire stadium chanted through the entire top of the ninth.

“Thanks No. 21, Warrior,” read one sign in the seats.

On the way back to the dugout, he finally acknowledged the cheers with a tip of his cap.