Paul O’Neill is an American former baseball right fielder and a longtime television analyst. He is best known for his intense, hard-charging play with the New York Yankees during their dynasty of the late 1990s.
O’Neill was born on February 25, 1963 (63 years old) in Columbus, Ohio. He spent 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, first with the Cincinnati Reds and then with the Yankees.
Nicknamed The Warrior by late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, he won five World Series titles and captured the 1994 American League batting crown.
Today, he serves as the lead game analyst on the YES Network, and the Yankees retired his number 21 in 2022.
Quick Facts of Paul O’Neill
| Full Name | Paul Andrew O’Neill |
| Profession | Former baseball right fielder, television broadcaster |
| Age | 63 years old |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1963 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Current Address | Montgomery, Ohio, United States |
| Gender | Male |
Paul O’Neill Early Life and Education
Paul Andrew O’Neill was born on February 25, 1963, in Columbus, Ohio. He was the youngest of six children raised in a baseball-loving family.
Education
O’Neill attended Brookhaven High School in Columbus, where he starred in baseball and basketball. He earned all-state honors and was named Central District Player of the Year as a senior.
Later, he went to Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
| School | Brookhaven High School, Columbus |
| Alma Mater | Otterbein University |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor of Science |
Paul O’Neill Personal Life
Paul is married to Nevalee O’Neill. The two grew up as neighbors in Columbus and became childhood sweethearts before marrying on December 29, 1984.
They have been together for more than four decades and have raised three children while living in Montgomery, Ohio.
Children
Paul and Nevalee have three children named Andrew, Aaron, and Alexandra. Further personal details about them are yet to be updated.
Parents
Paul’s parents are Charles “Chick” O’Neill and Virginia O’Neill.
Father
His father, Charles “Chick” O’Neill, ran his own excavation business, but his true passion was baseball. A former minor league pitcher whose career was cut short by a World War II paratrooping injury, Chick was Paul’s lifelong coach and hero.
He famously passed away from heart failure at age 79 during the middle of the 1999 World Series, a series in which Paul chose to continue playing and ultimately won with the Yankees.
Mother
His mother, Virginia O’Neill, worked as a medical technician. Together with Charles, she raised six children in Columbus, Ohio, with Paul being the youngest of the family.
Siblings
Paul O’Neill grew up in a busy, highly competitive household as the youngest of six children. His father famously wanted enough sons to build his own baseball infield, resulting in five boys and one girl.
The O’Neill siblings include:
- Molly O’Neill (Sister): The oldest of the siblings and the only girl. Molly was a highly celebrated, Pulitzer Prize-nominated food critic, chef, and best-selling author who wrote for The New York Times. She wrote an acclaimed family memoir, Mostly True: A Memoir of Family, Food, and Baseball, which hilariously documented what it was like growing up as the only girl in a sports-obsessed house full of boys. Sadly, Molly passed away from cancer in June 2019 at the age of 66.
- Mike, Pat, Kevin, and Robert O’Neill (Brothers): Paul’s four older brothers. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, the brothers were incredibly competitive in sports and pushed each other daily in the backyard. While Paul was the only one to make it to the Major Leagues, several of his brothers also grew up to be excellent athletes and accomplished cooks in their own right.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Nevalee O’Neill |
| Children | Sons: Andrew, Aaron Daughter: Alexandra |
| Parents | Father: Charles “Chick” O’Neill Mother: Virginia O’Neill |
| Siblings | Sister: Molly O’Neill Brother: Mike, Pat, Kevin, and Robert O’Neill |
Paul O’Neill Career
Paul O’Neill built a 17-season Major League career, rising from the Cincinnati farm system to become one of the most respected players of the Yankees dynasty.
1981 to 1984: Draft and Minor Leagues
The Cincinnati Reds selected O’Neill in the fourth round of the 1981 draft out of Brookhaven High School. He began his professional path with the Billings Mustangs and worked his way up through the Reds system.
1985 to 1992: Cincinnati Reds
O’Neill made his Major League debut on September 3, 1985, and singled in his first at-bat. He became an everyday player in 1988 and grew into a dependable right fielder.
He was part of the Reds team that swept the Oakland Athletics to win the 1990 World Series. In 1991, he earned his first All-Star selection after hitting a career-high 28 home runs.
He was also in right field for teammate Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988, and he played under manager Lou Piniella, who urged him to add power to his swing.
1993 to 2001: New York Yankees
After the 1992 season, the Reds traded O’Neill to the New York Yankees for outfielder Roberto Kelly. He responded with a .311 average in his first season in pinstripes.
In 1994, he won the American League batting title with a .359 average during a strike-shortened season. He became a core member of a roster that featured Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte.
He helped the Yankees win the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000 while playing for manager Joe Torre. He also caught the final out of David Wells’ perfect game in 1998 and helped preserve David Cone’s perfect game in 1999.
His playing days ended in 2001, when the Yankees reached the World Series but lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fans chanted his name during his final home game as a heartfelt farewell.
2002 to Present: Broadcasting Career
After retiring, O’Neill joined the YES Network as a game analyst and color commentator. He often shares the booth with play-by-play voice Michael Kay and fellow former Yankee David Cone.
He has also written two books. His memoir Me and My Dad, written with Burton Rocks, appeared in 2003, and Swing and a Hit, written with Yankees broadcaster Jack Curry, followed in 2022.
Screen Appearances
O’Neill made a few appearances on screen during his playing days. He played himself in the 1994 baseball film Little Big League alongside stars such as Ken Griffey Jr..
In 1995, he appeared as himself in the Seinfeld episode “The Wink,” in which the character Kramer asks him to hit two home runs in a single game.
Paul O’Neill Awards and Achievements
Paul O’Neill earned wide recognition for his clutch hitting, his steady defense, and his role on championship teams.
Key Wins
- Five-time World Series champion, with the 1990 Cincinnati Reds and the 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000 New York Yankees.
- Five-time Major League Baseball All-Star in 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998.
- 1994 American League batting champion with a .359 average, honored with the Silver Bat Award.
- Joe DiMaggio “Toast of the Town” Award in 1997 and 2001.
- New York Yankees retired his number 21 in 2022 and dedicated a Monument Park plaque to him in 2014.
- Inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Key Nominations
- He appeared on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2007 but was not elected.
Paul O’Neill Controversies
- WFAN Interview Cancellation (2022): In May 2022, sports radio station WFAN abruptly canceled a scheduled interview with O’Neill. O’Neill had stipulated that he would not answer questions regarding a breaking controversy involving Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson and White Sox star Tim Anderson. The hosts pulled the plug, stating they couldn’t responsibly ignore the biggest baseball story of the day.
- On-Air Slip of the Tongue (2010): Early in his broadcasting career, O’Neill drew a mild internal rebuke from the network after getting frustrated by an umpire’s ejection of Brett Gardner and exclaiming on air that it was “such bullcrap.” A YES Network spokesperson later noted that “Paul could have used a better phrase.”
Paul O’Neill Net Worth
Paul O’Neill has an estimated net worth of about $20 million, earned through his baseball career and his long broadcasting work. He made a little over $50 million in total salary during his playing years.
| Net Worth (Approx.) | $20 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $50 million (in total career playing earnings) |
Paul O’Neill Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Paul O’Neill:
| Height | In centimetres: 193 cm In meters: 1.93 m In feet and inches: 6 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 98 kg In lbs: 215 lbs |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Interesting Facts About Paul O’Neill
- Paul was a third-generation professional ballplayer, following his father and grandfather into the game.
- In 2001, at age 38, he became the oldest player in MLB history at that time to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in one season.
- O’Neill’s family tree includes a distant link to the author Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens.
Paul O’Neill X
@PaulONeillYESFAQs
Who is Paul O’Neill?
Paul O’Neill is an American former baseball right fielder and a current YES Network analyst, best known for the New York Yankees.
How old is Paul O’Neill?
Paul O’Neill is 63 years old. He was born on February 25, 1963, in Columbus, Ohio.
Is Paul O’Neill married?
Yes, Paul O’Neill is married to Nevalee O’Neill. They wed in 1984 and have three children.
How many World Series did Paul O’Neill win?
Paul O’Neill won five, one with the Cincinnati Reds and four with the New York Yankees.
Why is Paul O’Neill called The Warrior?
Late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gave Paul O’Neill the nickname for his intense and hard-charging style of play.
Did the Yankees retire Paul O’Neill’s number?
Yes, the Yankees retired Paul O’Neill’s number 21 on August 21, 2022.
What does Paul O’Neill do now?
Paul O’Neill works as a game analyst and color commentator for the YES Network.
