When Paul O’Neill was traded to the Yankees, fans worried that the outfielder’s emotional nature and fiery temper would be his undoing in The Bronx. Funny it was that same passion and emotion that made him one of the most popular Bombers of this generation.

In nine years in Pinstripes, he prodded the Yanks to four World Series crowns, as much with his will as his bat or his glove. His fire – he threw helmets, smashed water coolers and punched walls – endeared him to fans that demand intensity as much as victory.

In his final game in The Bronx – the Yankees’ 3-2, 12-inning win over Arizona in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series – a sellout crowd gave the 38-year-old a standing ovation, serenading his name over and over.

Oddly, when the club dealt for him in November 1992, the same fans were leery about his temper and .259 average. But his unyielding work ethic made him a fan favorite, and another player transformed by the Pinstripes, batting .300 for six straight seasons.

“He wears it on his sleeve. There’s a lot of passion there,” Joe Torre said. “When I first came here, I heard he was a selfish player … the only selfish part about him is he wants to get a hit every time up.”

Few expected the Ohioan to adapt to the Big Apple as he did. But he grew to love New York, and New Yorkers loved him back. And one scene from Game 3 of the 1996 World Series burned indelibly in their minds.

The Yankees trailed the series two games to none and were clinging to a 1-0 lead with two outs in the ninth and Braves on the corners. Luis Polonia ripped a shot to right-center, and O’Neill – limping from a pulled hamstring – made an extended catch to seal the win.

O’Neill pounded the outfield wall with a primal roar. His teammates mobbed him and went on to win their first of four World Series in the Torre era, another Yankee dynasty.

.359 A.L. Batting champion, 1994

6 Consecutive seasons, .300 or better