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Swing and a Hit: Nine Innings of What Baseball Taught Me
This fun and fiery New York Times bestselling memoir tells the life story of All Star Yankee and five-time World Champion, Paul O’Neill, like you’ve never seen him before. In Swing and Hit, O’Neill elaborates on his most important hitting principles, lessons, and memories—exploring those elements across ten chapters (to align with the nine innings of a baseball game and one extra inning). Here, O’Neill, with his intense temperament, describes what he did as a hitter, how he adjusted to pitchers, how he boosted his confidence, how he battled with umpires (and water coolers), and what advice he would give to current hitters. O’Neill has always been a tough out at the plate. Recalling how he started to swing at bat as a two-year-old and kept swinging it professionally until he was thirty-eight, O’Neill provides constant insights into the beauty and frustration of playing baseball. The legendary Ted Williams said using a round bat to hit a round ball is the most difficult thing to do in sports. Naturally, O’Neill, who once received a surprise call from Williams that was filled with hitting advice, agrees. Swing and Hit features O’Neill’s most thoughtful revelations and offers clubhouse stories from some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball—hitters, managers, and teammates like Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Pete Rose, and Bernie Williams. Remember, O’Neill, ever the perfectionist, was the type of hitter who believed that pitchers didn’t ever get him out. For that incredible reason and so many others, Swing and Hit is essential reading for any baseball fan.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published May 24, 2022
66 people are currently reading
3250 people want to read
About the author
Paul O'Neill
5 books2 followersPaul O'Neill is a retired right fielder and Major League Baseball player who won five World Series while playing for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 15, 2022
“Ted Williams put his right hand on McGwire’s left shoulder and posed that familiar question. ‘He asked me when I foul a ball off, do I smell burnt wood’, McGwire revealed. ‘I said, All the time’”
So full disclosure before I give my review of Paul O’Neill’s book “Swing and A Hit” I have been an N.Y. Yankee fan since age 9. Along with being a partial season ticket holder in the old Yankee Stadium for 8 years before they moved to the new stadium. As the years went by the price for the plan increased exponentially so much so that it seemed that I would have to take out a mortgage to pay for the two seats. And what a pair of sweet seats, third row behind the Yankee on deck circle field level. So, many great memories! He is one of my all-time favorite Yankees. Another interesting fact not mentioned in his book is that Paul’s great-grandfather, a Nebraska homesteader, married Mary Clemens, a cousin to Samuel Clemens, better known to posterity as Mark Twain. But I digressed.
“Swing and A Hit,” is 242 pages long and divided into 10 chapters (Innings). Throughout the book, he emphasizes the following hitting technique, “My best and most comfortable approach was to swing so that I connected with the top half of the baseball, not the lower half, and not trying to swing under the baseball,” ad nauseum. Along with how he feels about power hitters. Truthfully, the book probably could have been 2 chapters shorter due to the repetition of ideas.
For me, the best part of this book was when he takes you to the behind-the-scenes stories whether it’s the emotions he experienced at his father’s passing or his time spent with Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, and Bernie Williams. But there aren’t nearly enough of them. Here is a sample of O’Neill writing about the indoor batting cage under right-field stands in the old Yankee Stadium, where he and former Yankee captain Don Mattingly would go to practice their swings: “The blue paint seemed to peel off the walls in this room a little more each day. They’re cracks in the ceiling…But for me and Cap, this modest, dingy place was our sanctuary.”
In the end, if you are a Yankee fan you will probably purchase the book. It is a fast read and has a solid 3.5 rating. Because of his Mark Twain connection, I decided to round it off to 4!
So full disclosure before I give my review of Paul O’Neill’s book “Swing and A Hit” I have been an N.Y. Yankee fan since age 9. Along with being a partial season ticket holder in the old Yankee Stadium for 8 years before they moved to the new stadium. As the years went by the price for the plan increased exponentially so much so that it seemed that I would have to take out a mortgage to pay for the two seats. And what a pair of sweet seats, third row behind the Yankee on deck circle field level. So, many great memories! He is one of my all-time favorite Yankees. Another interesting fact not mentioned in his book is that Paul’s great-grandfather, a Nebraska homesteader, married Mary Clemens, a cousin to Samuel Clemens, better known to posterity as Mark Twain. But I digressed.
“Swing and A Hit,” is 242 pages long and divided into 10 chapters (Innings). Throughout the book, he emphasizes the following hitting technique, “My best and most comfortable approach was to swing so that I connected with the top half of the baseball, not the lower half, and not trying to swing under the baseball,” ad nauseum. Along with how he feels about power hitters. Truthfully, the book probably could have been 2 chapters shorter due to the repetition of ideas.
For me, the best part of this book was when he takes you to the behind-the-scenes stories whether it’s the emotions he experienced at his father’s passing or his time spent with Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, and Bernie Williams. But there aren’t nearly enough of them. Here is a sample of O’Neill writing about the indoor batting cage under right-field stands in the old Yankee Stadium, where he and former Yankee captain Don Mattingly would go to practice their swings: “The blue paint seemed to peel off the walls in this room a little more each day. They’re cracks in the ceiling…But for me and Cap, this modest, dingy place was our sanctuary.”
In the end, if you are a Yankee fan you will probably purchase the book. It is a fast read and has a solid 3.5 rating. Because of his Mark Twain connection, I decided to round it off to 4!
May 14, 2022
Let me just start off with, I’ve always been a huge Yankee fan. Through the magical 1990’s Yankee years, Paul O’Neill was my favorite player. When I saw he wrote a book, I was excited to read it. I’m so glad I did.
This book is filled with O’Neill’s memories and hitting techniques. He has a huge baseball history and has stories to tell about his interactions with such baseball greats as Pete Rose, Derek Jeter and Joe Torre. It’s a fun book to read and I felt myself reliving the ‘90’s. A great time to be a Yankee fan.
As I read the book, I felt as if O’Neill was in my living room sharing stories from his baseball career. I totally enjoyed this one. I think many Yankee fans will too.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own
This book is filled with O’Neill’s memories and hitting techniques. He has a huge baseball history and has stories to tell about his interactions with such baseball greats as Pete Rose, Derek Jeter and Joe Torre. It’s a fun book to read and I felt myself reliving the ‘90’s. A great time to be a Yankee fan.
As I read the book, I felt as if O’Neill was in my living room sharing stories from his baseball career. I totally enjoyed this one. I think many Yankee fans will too.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own
June 14, 2022
3 1/2 stars.... I am a devoted Yankee fan, and who could not like Paul O'Neill? Unfortunately, this book of less than 250 pages proved to be a bit too long. The influence and love for his father and his relentless work ethic was touching, however, the repetition of Paul's hitting philosophy and temper tantrums were tedious. The writing style was just as Paul O'Neill talks, and in need of some serious editing. Unless you are an O'Neill fan, or serious Yankee fan during the "dynasty years", you will get bored. NOTE: my favorite chapter was the last one, which described life after being a player and what baseball meant in the whole scheme of things. If you find yourself anxious to finish, don't skip the end!
August 27, 2022
For as quickly as I finished this book (I’m not a fast reader), I’m surprised by my rating—though I didn’t think I’d continue with the book after chapter 1. The format of the book read quite peculiarly in the first person while also (and suddenly) incorporating quotes from former players and managers praising Paul O’Neill. The transitions throughout the book were terrible, the chapters hardly were accurate, and the repetition was nearly unbearable (we only need to be told that Buck Showalter is the manager of the Mets once, that your hitting philosophy is to stay on top of the ball, etc etc). I love the Yankees and love Paul O’Neill as much as a broadcaster as I did as a player (a lot), but whether it was his or Jack Curry’s ideas that prevailed in the book, they were not good. A better format would have been to use Curry’s voice in the main so that quotes about Paul wouldn’t have sounded so awkward—as if they were solicited in order to validate Paul’s hitting philosophy. The best parts, for me, were the detailed baseball stories (his at bat against the Mets in the 2000 World Series opener) and his final season, which could have used more details itself. Other than that, even as a baseball fan and Yankee fanatic, I would not recommend this book really. I borrowed it from the library and I’m glad I didn’t spend the money on it.
November 5, 2022
I'm a big sports fan----a big Yankee fan-----and a big Paul O'Neill fan. I usually avoid this type of book like the plague-----but because of the three facts above I gave it a shot.
So here's the book in a nutshell. Apparently Paul was being punished and forced to write the following 100o times.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
And so on......
So here's the book in a nutshell. Apparently Paul was being punished and forced to write the following 100o times.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
I'm not a homerun hitter-----I hit line drives.
And so on......
July 4, 2022
The Warrior! Water coolers everywhere, beware! (I should talk, though. You should see me play tennis; it's why I gave up the game.)
For the uninitiated, Paul O'Neill is a former baseball player, an outfielder and owner of five World Series rings. He gained most of his fame for having been part of the great Yankees' dynasty of the 90s and early 2000s. "Fiery" doesn't nearly describe it: I once saw the guy kick the dirt in disgust after a double that bounced off the top of the wall. He now announces Yankees games on the YES Network, and his friendly, small town talk reminds me of "The Scooter," Phil Rizzuto. Scooter had "Holy Cow," Paul has "I tell you what..."
He and Jack Curry eschew the conventional biography trope by focusing on the science of hitting a baseball. It's interesting if you really like baseball, and I suppose you won't pick this up unless you do. But sometimes I pined away for that method, as jumping from time to time and place to place can be confusing. Curry follows the same format in Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher, so it seemed familiar to me.
That said, the true Yankees fan will love it. Plenty of insight into his years in Yankee-dom, right down to the serenade he received in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series. I also liked hearing about his relationship with Pete Rose and the phone call he took from Ted Williams. His views on hitting can be used for everyday life, and perhaps that was the point: "Be true to the hitter you are. Try not to do something that takes you away from that." He doesn't delve too much into the psychology of his all-too-familiar rages, but I suppose that's about as complex as it gets: he believed he should get a hit every time. I find him humble and likeable as an announcer, and it seems to come through in this biography. And yes, if you ever wanted to learn anything about hitting, this is your book.
Nicely done!
For the uninitiated, Paul O'Neill is a former baseball player, an outfielder and owner of five World Series rings. He gained most of his fame for having been part of the great Yankees' dynasty of the 90s and early 2000s. "Fiery" doesn't nearly describe it: I once saw the guy kick the dirt in disgust after a double that bounced off the top of the wall. He now announces Yankees games on the YES Network, and his friendly, small town talk reminds me of "The Scooter," Phil Rizzuto. Scooter had "Holy Cow," Paul has "I tell you what..."
He and Jack Curry eschew the conventional biography trope by focusing on the science of hitting a baseball. It's interesting if you really like baseball, and I suppose you won't pick this up unless you do. But sometimes I pined away for that method, as jumping from time to time and place to place can be confusing. Curry follows the same format in Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher, so it seemed familiar to me.
That said, the true Yankees fan will love it. Plenty of insight into his years in Yankee-dom, right down to the serenade he received in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series. I also liked hearing about his relationship with Pete Rose and the phone call he took from Ted Williams. His views on hitting can be used for everyday life, and perhaps that was the point: "Be true to the hitter you are. Try not to do something that takes you away from that." He doesn't delve too much into the psychology of his all-too-familiar rages, but I suppose that's about as complex as it gets: he believed he should get a hit every time. I find him humble and likeable as an announcer, and it seems to come through in this biography. And yes, if you ever wanted to learn anything about hitting, this is your book.
Nicely done!
July 19, 2022
A thorough account all about Baseball. Everything Paul learned about the game. A good read for all Baseball enthusiasts. Includes color photos. Thankyou Goodreads for this free book.
June 20, 2022
A very nice book filled with antidotes, stories and hitting strategies from one of the most popular Yankees of all time. If you love baseball & love reading about the ins and outs of hitting with some stories about the 90's Reds & Yankees, this is the book for you.
Paul O'Neill's smooth Mark Twain like story telling along with Jack Curry's writing made this a very enjoyable read.
Paul O'Neill's smooth Mark Twain like story telling along with Jack Curry's writing made this a very enjoyable read.
May 12, 2023
I love the Yankees and I love Paul O’Neill. And I know Paul is not a big fan of sabermetrics, but this book became tedious when reading over and over again about Paul’s philosophy on hitting and his feelings towards hitters today. If the reader accepts the premise that Paul is a line-drive hitter and he hates the prevalence of strike outs in today game, then it seems like 20% of this book is just saying the same thing over and over.
Paul keeps pointing out that he was a line drive hitter and that hitters must know who they are and not change based on the opinion of others. He mentions many managers wanted him to change to a home -run hitter, but he refused to change and had to stay true to his form, but then he turns around and criticizes today’s hitters for not being able to change their swings and adjust to the defensive shifts. He says on-base percentage is over-emphasized in today’s game, and he came in at a time when batting average was more important. I understand his logic and perspective. But then he says he would much rather go 3 for 4 with 3 singles and 1 RBI instead of 1 for 4 with a HR (p. 17). Of course, he would and by on-base % alone everyone would prefer that too in today’s game (OPS might make it a closer argument, but that was not Paul’s point). Again, I understand his experience and love for “old school” baseball, but at least make your arguments with data, not anecdotal, or small sample size experiences.
I expected more from Paul and this book and maybe my rating is biased against my expectations, but I was glad to finally get to the end of this tedious book.
Paul keeps pointing out that he was a line drive hitter and that hitters must know who they are and not change based on the opinion of others. He mentions many managers wanted him to change to a home -run hitter, but he refused to change and had to stay true to his form, but then he turns around and criticizes today’s hitters for not being able to change their swings and adjust to the defensive shifts. He says on-base percentage is over-emphasized in today’s game, and he came in at a time when batting average was more important. I understand his logic and perspective. But then he says he would much rather go 3 for 4 with 3 singles and 1 RBI instead of 1 for 4 with a HR (p. 17). Of course, he would and by on-base % alone everyone would prefer that too in today’s game (OPS might make it a closer argument, but that was not Paul’s point). Again, I understand his experience and love for “old school” baseball, but at least make your arguments with data, not anecdotal, or small sample size experiences.
I expected more from Paul and this book and maybe my rating is biased against my expectations, but I was glad to finally get to the end of this tedious book.
April 4, 2022
As a life long New York Yankees fan I had high hopes for this book about one of the most recent Yankees from the last dynasty. Unfortunately, I found the book to be somewhat dull and almost painful at times. The writing style left much to be desired as it did not translate into an interesting history of the players career. New York Yankee fans may want to give this book a spin, but if you are not a Yankee fan I would recommend a pass.
January 17, 2023
I dislike the Yankees in the extreme so perhaps not the target audience for this one. However, when I was in COVID quarantine a sub went to the library for me and, knowing I love sports, picked it out, so I thought I'd give it a try.
As an aside, I remember Paul O'Neill as being a good hitter and a stalwart regular on the end-of-20th-century Yankees team that won several World Series under Joe Torre (Jeter, Rivera, Williams, Posada.......), but I was surprised to learn from this book that he has a plaque in Monument Park and that they retired his number. I googled "Paul O'Neill hall of fame", and sure enuf the first hit was an article noting that he received hardly any voting support before dropping off the Hall ballot and opining that the Yankees tarnished their legacy by retiring his number. Sounds like he's gone from "very good player" to immortal by being a fan favorite, intense, having a cool nickname ("The Warrior"), being well-liked by administration (apparently Steinbrenner loved him) and being around the team a long time in retirement as a broadcaster.
Anyway, back to his book -- some touching memories of his late father's influence, and some cool anecdotes such as getting a call from Ted Williams to talk hitting once. A few detailed recaps of key postseason at-bats where he lets you in on what he was thinking. And about one page worth of interesting point of view about his swing: he aimed to use the whole field, doesn't think the current era of rampant shifting would have been a problem for him, wasn't a "launch angle" guy, thinks too many modern players swing for the fences even with two strikes, and prided himself on hitting line drives -- hit the top half of the ball and hit it hard, following thru with only slight uppercut to stay in the zone as long as possible.
Unfortunately, that one page worth of hitting p.o.v. is repeated to an incredible degree to make it a 242-page book. It became meta a couple times as he'd say "as I've told you over and over...." or "I've mentioned this a hundred times...." or the like before doing the litany again.
As someone who repeats himself a decent amount (sorry to 33+ years' worth of students), I get that this is how some of us talk, but I can't imagine what the coauthor, a professional writer, was thinking in failing to edit more severely.
As an aside, I remember Paul O'Neill as being a good hitter and a stalwart regular on the end-of-20th-century Yankees team that won several World Series under Joe Torre (Jeter, Rivera, Williams, Posada.......), but I was surprised to learn from this book that he has a plaque in Monument Park and that they retired his number. I googled "Paul O'Neill hall of fame", and sure enuf the first hit was an article noting that he received hardly any voting support before dropping off the Hall ballot and opining that the Yankees tarnished their legacy by retiring his number. Sounds like he's gone from "very good player" to immortal by being a fan favorite, intense, having a cool nickname ("The Warrior"), being well-liked by administration (apparently Steinbrenner loved him) and being around the team a long time in retirement as a broadcaster.
Anyway, back to his book -- some touching memories of his late father's influence, and some cool anecdotes such as getting a call from Ted Williams to talk hitting once. A few detailed recaps of key postseason at-bats where he lets you in on what he was thinking. And about one page worth of interesting point of view about his swing: he aimed to use the whole field, doesn't think the current era of rampant shifting would have been a problem for him, wasn't a "launch angle" guy, thinks too many modern players swing for the fences even with two strikes, and prided himself on hitting line drives -- hit the top half of the ball and hit it hard, following thru with only slight uppercut to stay in the zone as long as possible.
Unfortunately, that one page worth of hitting p.o.v. is repeated to an incredible degree to make it a 242-page book. It became meta a couple times as he'd say "as I've told you over and over...." or "I've mentioned this a hundred times...." or the like before doing the litany again.
As someone who repeats himself a decent amount (sorry to 33+ years' worth of students), I get that this is how some of us talk, but I can't imagine what the coauthor, a professional writer, was thinking in failing to edit more severely.
May 11, 2025
Jampacked with great Yankees lore and lessons for future hitters, Paul O'Neill hits a home run with Swing and a Hit, even though he may prefer a line drive.
O'Neill vulnerably shares his "doubts about my swing, doubts about my abilities, doubts about whether I could hit against the best pitchers in the world". "When I knew I had strong numbers against a pitcher, I would wonder, "When is this going to end? And if I had terrible numbers against a pitcher, I would wonder, "Is this ever going to end?". These doubts even appeared in a recurring nightmare of the "uncooperative socks" before spring training and Opening Day.
O'Neill learns to quiet these doubts by listening to the voices of the great players that came before him including Don Mattingly, Joe Torre, and Ted Williams. He also does a great job of explaining, "why my style worked for me, why I think my style has staying power, and why I think my style can work for others" when describing hitting and his leg kick.
Further, O'Neill humorously describes how his name was misspelled on opening day (with only one L), the time Lou Piniella put lifts in his spikes ("I felt like I was trying to hit with high-heeled shoes on"), running away from Buck Showalter, kicking a baseball, and chasing down Yogi Berra to rub some hits in his bats.
I admit that I'm a huge Yankees fan and this may have helped the rating on this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading O'Neill's tales and learning about hitting through "The Warrior". O'Neill was always "fighting for something very important and very valuable... fighting for myself, for my team, and the chance to win a game". I recommend Swing and a Hit to all baseball fans.
Let's be honest: everyone has a little Paul O'Neill in them, a little anger, a little rage, and a little need to respond.
O'Neill vulnerably shares his "doubts about my swing, doubts about my abilities, doubts about whether I could hit against the best pitchers in the world". "When I knew I had strong numbers against a pitcher, I would wonder, "When is this going to end? And if I had terrible numbers against a pitcher, I would wonder, "Is this ever going to end?". These doubts even appeared in a recurring nightmare of the "uncooperative socks" before spring training and Opening Day.
O'Neill learns to quiet these doubts by listening to the voices of the great players that came before him including Don Mattingly, Joe Torre, and Ted Williams. He also does a great job of explaining, "why my style worked for me, why I think my style has staying power, and why I think my style can work for others" when describing hitting and his leg kick.
Further, O'Neill humorously describes how his name was misspelled on opening day (with only one L), the time Lou Piniella put lifts in his spikes ("I felt like I was trying to hit with high-heeled shoes on"), running away from Buck Showalter, kicking a baseball, and chasing down Yogi Berra to rub some hits in his bats.
I admit that I'm a huge Yankees fan and this may have helped the rating on this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading O'Neill's tales and learning about hitting through "The Warrior". O'Neill was always "fighting for something very important and very valuable... fighting for myself, for my team, and the chance to win a game". I recommend Swing and a Hit to all baseball fans.
Let's be honest: everyone has a little Paul O'Neill in them, a little anger, a little rage, and a little need to respond.
September 9, 2022
I really appreciated the insights and stories O'Neill shares in this book, things I wanted to know, stories that have never been shared. The structure of the book was the only part I felt lacking. The changes of subject felt like hard gear shifts, rather than smooth transitions. Was that enough to detract from the overall work? Not much.
If anything, reading this book in 2022 made me even more frustrated with the current crop of Yankees. We like to clown Paul for smashing water coolers. But really, who on the current team has that kind of passion? Brett Gardner was the last holdout of the warrior mentality. There are too many Josh Donaldsons (who will strike out and then go back to the dugout and joke with the opposing pitcher) and too few guys like O'Neill, Posada, Clemens, Jeter, Tino, the list goes on. Tough guys.
But I digress. I appreciate the insight in to why Paul hit for line drives, his approach, his stubbornness. His descriptions of his relationship with his father were moving.
If anything, reading this book in 2022 made me even more frustrated with the current crop of Yankees. We like to clown Paul for smashing water coolers. But really, who on the current team has that kind of passion? Brett Gardner was the last holdout of the warrior mentality. There are too many Josh Donaldsons (who will strike out and then go back to the dugout and joke with the opposing pitcher) and too few guys like O'Neill, Posada, Clemens, Jeter, Tino, the list goes on. Tough guys.
But I digress. I appreciate the insight in to why Paul hit for line drives, his approach, his stubbornness. His descriptions of his relationship with his father were moving.
February 3, 2023
Being a Yankee fan for as long as I can remember this was a book I wanted to read. I also always liked the team from the 90s that he played on and was happy when the Yankees traded for him from the Reds. Here you have a book in which he talks about different players he was with and the art of hitting, some were in old Yankee Stadium, and also Pete Rose when he was with the Reds. He also speaks about the passing of his father which always gets me for that is where my love for the Yankke's came from My father was born and raised in the Bronx and I was happy we were able to go to Yankke Stadium together and watch a game before he passed. This is a must if you are a Yankee fan but if you are also a baseball fan I think you will be able to enjoy it as well. I received this book from Netgalley.com
July 17, 2022
Paul O'Neill # 21, New York Yankee RF from 1993-2001, "The Warrior". Thoroughly enjoyable read. Of course, I'm biased being a lifelong NY Yankee fan and a devotee to Paul O'Neill. I was fortunate to have attended his first (4/5/1993) & last (11/1/2001) home games.
Paul was an aficionado of hitting. The book delves into his unique insights on the art of hitting along with a number of anecdotes from his 17 year career as a MLB player. Well written collaboration with his "Yes" network colleague, Jack Curry.
"Thank you Paulie" for the memories as the chant went @ Game 5 of the WS against the Diamondbacks.
Look forward to seeing you @ "The Stadium" on 8/21/22 as they honor & immortalize you by retiring your number "21".
Paul was an aficionado of hitting. The book delves into his unique insights on the art of hitting along with a number of anecdotes from his 17 year career as a MLB player. Well written collaboration with his "Yes" network colleague, Jack Curry.
"Thank you Paulie" for the memories as the chant went @ Game 5 of the WS against the Diamondbacks.
Look forward to seeing you @ "The Stadium" on 8/21/22 as they honor & immortalize you by retiring your number "21".
July 8, 2023
I remember a little about Paul O'Neil as a player. I did not realize he retired over 20 years ago in 2001.
One of the people I found most interesting was Ted Kluszewski his hitting coach in Cincinnati. I had never heard that name before. He was a power hitter and he did not strike out much.
The book also mentions some of his team mates: Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, Bernie Williams, Andy Petite to name a few. He also talks about hitting. Oh, and he also talks about Ted Williams. He talks about hitting, how he hit, he talks about some games he was involved in, and his last season, and other things like how he felt when he learned he got traded from Cincinnati.
I thought Swing and hit was OK. Maybe if I played baseball and wanted to hit better I would have liked it more.
One of the people I found most interesting was Ted Kluszewski his hitting coach in Cincinnati. I had never heard that name before. He was a power hitter and he did not strike out much.
The book also mentions some of his team mates: Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, Bernie Williams, Andy Petite to name a few. He also talks about hitting. Oh, and he also talks about Ted Williams. He talks about hitting, how he hit, he talks about some games he was involved in, and his last season, and other things like how he felt when he learned he got traded from Cincinnati.
I thought Swing and hit was OK. Maybe if I played baseball and wanted to hit better I would have liked it more.
April 5, 2022
As any fan of the Yankees knows the history of the game sometimes rivals the playing of the game at any given moment. Paul O'Neill proves that with his story. From the first time at the plate in his first MLB game to the last one before his retirement, it was his love of the game and the players he played with that made him on of the best player in pinstripes. His interactions with his teammates that play out within the chapters was a joy to read and the entire book is filled with the best of baseball.
June 11, 2022
(2 1/2). I am a big Paul O'Neill fan. Liked him as a player, love him as a broadcaster. His book about growing up and the influence his father had on him was very poignant. This book is full of good stories, but it loses big points in the never ending repetition spent on his baseball and especially hitting philosophy. In almost every chapter we are told the same thing. It kind of wears you down. This book is only for big O'Neill fans or seriously dedicated baseball devotees. Medium stuff.
January 11, 2023
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Honestly I was a bit disappointed in this book. The Yankees are one of my favorite teams and I thought Paul would have more insight into his teammates and managers he played with and for. Instead there was page upon page of analysis of his batting style. I agree with his thoughts on it but wish the book was more balanced with covering his relationships on the Reds and Yankees as well as him personally off the field as well. For anyone more interested in the nuts and bolts of batting this book will be for you.
May 25, 2022
While this was for the most part fun, I was hoping for more personal knowledge of Paul, but I understand his purpose was to explain how much hitting means to him. That’s fine but boring. His story style is a lot like his broadcasting style, meaning long winded and leaves you wondering when he is going to get to the point. But I respect his career and am happy to hear the Yankees will officially retire his number this season.
July 19, 2022
Growing up in Cincinnati I loved watching Paul O'Neill play with the Reds. I was sad to see him go to the Yankees but his career and hitting really took off after that trade. I also sad I couldn't see him play regularly against the Reds anymore. The book is a nice memory trip filled with good stories and plenty of names that I know. I am pretty sure anyone who doesn't follow baseball, especially in this era, would have a hard time getting through this book.
July 27, 2022
I loved watching Paul O’Neill play baseball with the Yankees. This short book was funny, and insightful, and joyful. There are some stories about his time with other greats, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Ted Williams and others, stories about his family, stories about his managers, and his temper, his hitting approach, and his love of the game. There is some repetition that is kind of annoying, but I enjoyed this book.
September 15, 2022
I have been a Yankee fan since 1970 and I always enjoy reading about the team and the players. Paul O’Neill was one of my favorites from the day they picked him up from the Reds but this book just didn’t do it for me. I liked how he wrote nine chapters and each chapter had a theme but what made me lose interest was the constant repeating of the same ideas…Buck Schowalter is the manager of the Mets, today’s players are only thinking of the home run, I have to hit on top of the ball……
June 8, 2022
Was so looking forward to this book and wasn't disappointed. Let me say that I am huge Paul O'Neill fan so to read this book was a complete pleasure.
Paul has always been and will always be a warrior in my eyes. True baseball player and a true Yankee.
Thank you Paulie for always hitting a couple of zingers!
Paul has always been and will always be a warrior in my eyes. True baseball player and a true Yankee.
Thank you Paulie for always hitting a couple of zingers!
July 13, 2022
I won this book in a giveaway. I did not read the entire book but found the beginning to be easy to read and follow. I enjoyed the author's voice and his description of his batting style - but just not enough to read an entire book on it. If anyone wants to be reflective about their batting style - this might be the right book for you.
November 20, 2023
good baseball autobiography
These types of books are usually hit or miss. However, as a die hard yankee fan, who remembers when Roberto Kelly was traded for Paul O’Neill, this was a book I had to read… this is a typical baseball autobiography, but Mr. O’Neill does have some good insight as he looks back at his career. Worth a read for Yankee fans
These types of books are usually hit or miss. However, as a die hard yankee fan, who remembers when Roberto Kelly was traded for Paul O’Neill, this was a book I had to read… this is a typical baseball autobiography, but Mr. O’Neill does have some good insight as he looks back at his career. Worth a read for Yankee fans
August 16, 2024
Great and fun read about one of my absolute favorite Yankees I’ve ever watched. Paul O’Neill’s desire to always win and succeed made him a great Yankee and reading about his career and hitting philosophy was a lot of fun. I’m glad I get to hear him broadcasting games today as he will always be a Yankee icon.
August 2, 2022
I loved the Yankees and Paul O’Neill and really enjoyed the book. Loved all the stories and also the pictures! I’m passing it on to my parents who are also big Yankees fans! They will love it too! Thanks to goodreads for the giveaway!
September 1, 2022
This book is great for any baseball lovers. It will change you approach to the game and you get to hear the story of an all time great. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the game of baseball. 10/10 book
August 11, 2023
A hitter's version of David Cone's morose "memoir"! It is interesting to learn that Paul O'Neill thought his father know more about hitting than Lou Pinella! The writing style is awful, with poor coherance and cohesion. Must be a good guidebook on "How Not to Write your Dissertation!"
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