O’Neill and Girardi Speak on No. 21
April 17, 2008, 5:59 amFrom PA’s Lohud Blog:
UPDATE, 7:03 p.m.: Here’s what Paul O’Neill told the AP about the situation:
“What can I say? The fans have always been unbelievable to me there. I don’t really know how to explain it. It makes you feel good that the fans still think of you as wearing that number.”
It makes you feel good that the fans booed another Yankees? Interesting take.
Joe Girardi: “I obviously understand the feelings for Paul O’Neill because I was here, and I know what he meant to me as a teammate and what he means to me as a friend, and what he means to the people of New York, Yankees fans. But LaTroy was trying to honor Roberto Clemente, someone he looked up to. It was nothing against Paul O’Neill. I think LaTroy has the ultimate respect for Paul O’Neill. It’s a tough spot.”
Honestly, I don’t think O’Neill meant what PA is saying. He’s just happy that this is an issue, I guess, but he’s probably not happy that fans are booing Hawkins. With that said, he’s definitely not upset about it or asking fans to stop. When Kay asked him about it while they were broadcasting, O’Neill gave a very similar answer, an answer that indicates he doesn’t mind the concern over his number. Either way, It’s a dead issue now and it’ll remain that way until another poor sap tries to wear the number. Maybe A-Rod should switch? Now that would be pretty interesting.
perhaps a bit of a freudian slup there? I think you meant O’Neill and Girardi. Torre may have a similar sentiment, but i don’t see a quote from him :-)
O’Neill is in a tough spot b/c he works for the yankees and at the same time probably likes the love from the fans. He’s yet to say he has no problem with hawkins wearing the number.
G
^whoa, haha. i apologize for that everyone. thanks for pointing that out george. see that, it’s hard to forget that guy. he implicitly haunts me :)