A published report yesterday claimed that much of Friday’s team meeting – and the fines discussed therein – were aimed at volatile Paul O’Neill. Both he and Joe Torre dismissed the report before last night’s 7-3 Stadium rout of Boston, but that hardly solved O’Neill’s struggles.
He came into the night in a 1-for-22 slump, and the gist of that meeting in Seattle was reportedly directed at his emotional outbursts. But despite O’Neill being on his best behavior and despite Torre’s denials, it was clear by the Yank skipper’s words and actions that he knows just how emotional O’Neill is.
Torre spoke with O’Neill in the clubhouse before last night’s win, and shortly thereafter George Steinbrenner gave him a pep talk, and patted him on the belly. Neither soothed O’Neill’s anger over the story.
“I don’t know anything about it. Joe doesn’t know anything about it. Basically, rain-outs are bad for players, because you guys are going to write whatever you want,” said O’Neill, so angered he muttered “after [this season] I won’t have to answer these questions anymore.
“It didn’t happen; the guy just wrote something that’s not even true. It was one of 500 things discussed. No, it wasn’t [about me]. No, [nobody thought it was]. Go ask Joe. He’s mad about it, too. Everybody in there knows this is a joke, and now I look like a fool.”
The story that angered O’Neill stated that Torre had lectured the Yanks about improper displays after outs – like throwing bats or helmets, something only O’Neill does frequently – and that any player not stepping on first while running out groundouts will be fined.
Last night, O’Neill was on his best behavior, even after striking out in the first inning – his first strikeout in 47 at-bats – and flying out with two on in the third. He also blooped a single to center in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh. (He touched first).
Torre, who may or may not have been reminding O’Neill not to let his temper effect his play, denied that the high-strung veteran was being singled out.
“When I have a meeting, I say things for everybody’s benefit,” said Torre. “I’m not about to change his attitude. Everybody has something about ourselves we’d like to change. That’s what makes us who we are.
“In a game we don’t win, he beats up himself up pretty badly. [But] I have no problem with Paul O’Neill’s focus when it comes to winning games. I wish all my players cared as much as he does. When he gets to the point where he doesn’t beat himself up, maybe it’s time for him to go home, because it means he doesn’t care as much [as he used to].”
