Paul O'Neill's Awful World Series First Pitch Required A Do-Over

Former Yankee outfielder struggled mightily to throw a strike

Relief came in the form of a mulligan

Paul O'Neill, a former New York Yankees outfielder, had the unfortunate honor of throwing one of the worst ceremonial first pitches in World Series history. The pitch, which was thrown before Game 2 of the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, was so wild that it bounced several feet in front of home plate.

O'Neill, who is now a commentator for the YES Network, laughed off the errant pitch, saying that he was "just trying to have some fun." However, the pitch was still a major embarrassment for O'Neill, who is one of the most respected players in Yankees history.

After the game, O'Neill said that he was "just glad" that he was able to get a do-over. The do-over pitch was much better, as O'Neill threw a strike. However, the damage had already been done, as O'Neill's first pitch will likely be remembered as one of the worst in World Series history.

More on Paul O'Neill's First Pitch

O'Neill, who was a three-time World Series champion with the Yankees, is known for his fiery personality and his intense competitiveness. He was a key member of the Yankees' dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest outfielders in baseball history.

O'Neill's first pitch was not the first time that he has struggled to throw a strike. In 2001, he threw a wild pitch that allowed the winning run to score in the bottom of the ninth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox. O'Neill was also involved in a famous incident in 1993 when he threw a ball into the stands during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. The ball hit a fan in the head, and O'Neill was ejected from the game.

Despite his struggles with throwing strikes, O'Neill is still one of the most beloved players in Yankees history. He is a member of the Yankees Hall of Fame, and his number 21 is retired by the team.