Hank Bauer and Paul O'Neill: Why Is Only One in Monument Park?

By Paul Semendinger

September 2025

***

NOTE - This article was origibally written for the IBWAA and was published in their daily newsletter on September 10, 2025.

***

There is an injustice that the New York Yankees perpetuate regarding how they remember and honor their past players. Some former Yankees greats are recognized and honored in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park.

Others are not.

For example, as I mention in a chapter of my award-winning book The Least Among Them, in spite of having some great players who manned the position, the Yankees have never honored a third baseman in Monument Park. Graig Nettles, for one, deserves to be there.

Similarly, Roy White, one of the most classy and dignified Yankees ever, and a player who ranks among the all-time Yankees in numerous categories, and who was also a World Champion, also deserves this honor.

The way the Yankees recognize and honor players in Monument Park is, at best, arbitrary. It is also grossly unfair to the players who have been kept out for far too long.

One of the best ways to illustrate this unbalanced representation can be seen in a comparison between two excellent Yankees right fielders, Hank Bauer and Paul O'Neill. Of note, Paul O'Neill is in Monument Park. Hank Bauer is not.

When one compares their careers as Yankees, it is readily apparent that Hank Bauer was just as valuable and important to the Yankees' success in his era as O'Neill was in his.

If Paul O'Neill is honored in Monument Park for his contributions as a Yankee (and I have no problem that he is thusly honored), then Hank Bauer deserves this recognition as well.

What follows is a comparison between the two players as Yankees.

Hank Bauer (12) played more seasons as a Yankee than Paul O'Neill (9).

During his career in New York, Hank Bauer earned MVP votes in five seasons, Paul O'Neill in four.

Hank Bauer (9) appeared in more World Series as a Yankees than Paul O'Neill (5).

Hank Bauer (7) was on more World Championship Yankees teams than Paul O'Neill (4).

Hank Bauer's WAR as a Yankee (29.3) ranks just higher than Paul O'Neill's (26.7).

Defensively, both players were known for their strong arms in right field, but judging by Defensive WAR, Bauer was also the better defensive outfielder, although both have overall negative numbers (Bauer -1.0, O'Neill -7.3).

Now, to be fair, O'Neill's batting numbers, while similar, are more impressive than Bauer's. The only areas where Bauer betters O'Neill in offensive stats are in runs and triples, but he also struck out less and grounded into fewer double plays.

Also in O'Neill's favor is the fact that Paul O'Neill was a 5-time All-Star which trumps Bauer's 4 All-Star appearances.

Of note - Hank Bauer also served with honors in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Not only was he a great Yankee, he served his country admirably.

In the end, Hank Bauer and Paul O'Neill were very similar players. They were both well-respected right fielders during important Yankees championship eras.

If Paul O'Neill is in Monument Park, then it seems only right that he is joined by Hank Bauer out there.

***

Paul Semendinger is fervently working to complete three (!) new books that should all be published within the next year (stay tuned!). An adjunct college professor, and educational consultant, Paul also runs the Yankees site Start Spreading the News. Best of all, Paul is the happy and proud grandfather of the best two babies in the whole world!