Former New York Yankees star Paul O’Neill’s brief cameo on the hit show “Seinfeld” is still paying off for him. O’Neill appeared in the episode “The Wink” in season 7, where he played himself working as the right fielder for the Yankees. In the episode, Kramer promises a boy in the hospital that O’Neill will hit two home runs in a game to help retrieve a birthday card for George Steinbrenner that the boy had sold. Despite the small residuals he receives from the show, O’Neill considers it a cool reminder of his appearance.
During a recent Yankees game broadcast on the YES Network, O’Neill’s former teammate and fellow commentator David Cone referred to him as a “star” for his work on “Seinfeld” and asked if he still receives residuals. O’Neill jokingly replied that they are only about 57 bucks, but he finds it a good reminder of his appearance on the show. Play-by-play announcer Michael Kay humorously suggested that it could buy O’Neill a glass of wine at a nice restaurant. O’Neill’s episode was not one of his 15 multi-homer games in his career, but he did have a successful career with the Yankees.
In addition to O’Neill, several other Yankees players and manager Buck Showalter made appearances on “Seinfeld.” Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Danny Tartabull all had appearances on the show, while a stunt double was used for George Steinbrenner, voiced by co-creator Larry David. The real Steinbrenner filmed a scene that was never used, and the show humorously referenced some of the team’s past mistakes, including the trade of Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps. O’Neill’s number 21 was later retired by the Yankees in 2022, honoring his contribution to the team during his time with them.
Paul O’Neill played for the Yankees from 1993 to 2001, after spending the previous eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. During his time with the Yankees, O’Neill was known for his fierce competitiveness and clutch performances, helping the team win four World Series championships. Despite his successful baseball career, O’Neill’s appearance on “Seinfeld” continues to be a fond memory for him and a source of amusement for fans who remember his cameo. The camaraderie among players and the humor of the show made it a memorable experience for O’Neill and his fellow Yankee associates.
