On November 3, 1992, then-Yankees GM Gene Michael made a savvy trade that helped change the course of the decade. Out to Cincinnati went 1992 All-Star outfielder Roberto Kelly, one of the few bright spots on a team that finished under .500 for the fourth year in a row. In came Paul O’Neill, an World Series champion in 1990 and an All-Star outfielder in 1991, but also someone entering his age-30 season after an off-year that saw his production dip to league-average at best.
“Stick” knew what he was doing, though. O’Neill tweaked his batting approach and he turned out to be a perfect fit in an ascendant Yankee lineup.