This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2020
Paul O'Neill will not make the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, but he may hold an even more prestigious honor, a plaque in Yankees Monument Park. Paul O'Neill would join the Yankees in the 1993 season, leaving his home state of Ohio for the Big Apple. O'Neill would leave a legacy unlike any other during the modern "Jeter" Yankee dynasty, being labeled a "Warrior" by George Steinbrenner and is considered by most the heart & sole of that Yankees squad. Sadly in 2001, Paulie O's production declined and at the age of 38, he decided to call it a career. The Yankees would keep him around as long as possible, taking the Diamondbacks 7 games in a legendary World Series which would see a blooper ending & an emotional send-off to O'Neill in game 5. With the Yankees down 2-0 in the top of the 9th, Yankees fans would chant O'Neill's name, brining the star to tears. In the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees would rally around their warrior and come back to tie the game then win in the 12th. While World Series relics in any format are scarce, ones from possibly the last game(s) of a Yankee legend are nearly unheard-of, until our next offering. This 35 inch, 30 ounce, C243 Louisville Slugger ash baseball bat features a "2001 World Series" stamping below the Paul O'Neill player signature model, along with excellent use. This uncracked lumber features multiple ball and stitch marks on the right barbell along with black & blue bat racks most likely representing use or availability at both parks during the series. Capping off this fine offering is the near-mint signature in blue felt tip marker on top of the fire burned/smith finish which PSA/DNA has graded a 9 in signature strength. Easily one of the finest Paul O'Neill gamers in the hobby and possibly his last as a Yankee! Authenticated by PSA/DNA with a full letter of authenticity and grading of GU 10.