News Flash: The New York Yankees fan base is up in arms - yet again.

This off-season, the Yanks signed journeyman middle reliever LaTroy Hawkins in an effort to bolster the Yankees bullpen - a source of weakness for years. While I was not crazy about this move, I cannot deny the merit in bringing in a valuable arm to pitch the always stressful middle innings. Hawkins had a solid year last year, pitching well down the stretch during the Colorado Rockies improbable run to the World Series.

Unfortunately Latroy has been victimized by EYFD (Excessive Yankee Fan Drama). Before he ever even threw his first pitch of the season, Hawkins was booed mercilessly by the Yankee faithful on opening day. Why you may ask? Simply because he was wearing number 21. Blasphemy was what many offended fans cried out. How could anyone wear the number of the great Paul O’Neill?

Well the fact of the matter is that as of 2008 number 21 is not retired - nor should it be. Paulie was a tremendous Yankee, he was the heart and soul of the late 90’s dynasty run, but that does not change the fact that he deserves to have his plaque and number enshrined in Monument Park. The simple truth is that George Steinbrenner went overboard with retiring numbers back in the 80’s, to the point where 15 numbers are already never to be worn again by another Yankee. The sad part is that guys like Reggie Jackson (who was only a Yank for 5 years) and Ron Guidry (who was but a very good pitcher who had one very exceptional year) have had their numbers entrenched in Yankee lore. The problem is, if the organization keeps retiring the number of every very good player that comes along, future Yankees will be playing in triple digits thirty years from now.

Of even more significance, if the Yankees keep retiring fringe superstars it will cheapen the honor bestowed to the true Yankee greats. Now let’s be objective Yankee fans for once, Paul O’Neill was only a fringe superstar - but that does not change the fact that his popularity and legacy are legendary. The reason for this is clear, Paul O’Neill was the first glimmer of hope that came to a franchise that for 15 years had fallen into baseball’s equivalent of the dark ages. He was a hard nosed player that is attributed for igniting a renaissance in the Bronx. This coupled with his fierce competitiveness made him a hero in the eyes of New Yorkers, prompting the Boss to label him a Warrior. He was the first player other than Don Mattingly that fans could finally cling to and he represented hope for a beleaguered franchise.

Nevertheless his number should not be retired. Consider the fact that Derek Jeter’s (#2), Joe Torre’s (#6), Alex Rodriguez’s (#13), and Mariano Rivera’s (#42) are locks for retirement and the Hall of Fame - coupled with the strong possibility of Jorge Posada’s (#20) and Bernie Williams (#51) being retired, the Yankees are most likely staring at 21 retired numbers by 2020!

But enough about Paul O’Neill, the real victim in this mess is LaTroy Hawkins. Once again short-sighted Yankee fans have embarrassed themselves. These are the same clowns that booed Alex Rodriguez just because he did not hit a home run every time he came to the plate, the same morons that post on message boards that Derek Jeter is washed-up and should be traded. The audacity of fans to boo Hawkins for the crime of wearing a number given to him by the organization and in honor the late Roberto Clemente (#21) is disgusting. Whether you liked the signing or not is no reason to boo a man for the sole reason that he is wearing the number or your former favorite player. Paul O’Neill’s number belongs to future generations of Yankees, and just because his number is not retired doesn’t mean you should forget about the great contributions he brought to this franchise. And it also doesn’t mean you should boo the next person who wears it - get over yourselves.

Sadly, the bullies with EYFD were rewarded for their childish behavior. Two days ago Hawkins decided to switch to number 22 because he did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the fans. Of course this means that if they keep up these antics the Yankees will be forced into retiring O’Neill’s number just to keep the morons at bay. Where is this classy fan base that I hear so much about?

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