LaTroy Hawkins Caves In to Paul O'Neill's Fans

Mob justice has won, and common sense has lost. LaTroy Hawkins has been hassled by fans since spring training about his decision to wear No. 21. He was attempting to honor Roberto Clemente, but Yankees fans were offended that someone would trounce on Paul O'Neill's memory. But while it's one thing to deal with fans chanting O'Neill's name whenever Hawkins took the mound, it's another fending off Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. From Scott Miller of CBS Sports:

Hawkins, in the midst of a fan-induced uproar because nobody had worn the still-revered Paul O'Neill's old No. 21 since O'Neill's retirement in 2001, said Tuesday he will switch to No. 22.

Hawkins made the decision after discussions with shortstop Derek Jeter, closer Mariano Rivera and a couple of other Yankees veterans. Their message: It's simply not worth the headache it's causing.

"I figure if it's important enough for Jeter and Mariano and some other veterans to ask me about it, it's not worth it to keep wearing the number," Hawkins said.

The most annoying part of all this? O'Neill doesn't deserve to have his number retired! The front office recognizes this, which is why No. 21 keeps getting assigned to people -- Morgan Ensberg had it earlier in spring before giving it up after seeing the fan's reaction. The Yankees already have 15 numbers retired, but they'd triple that amount if they retired everybody's jersey who had a similar career. Hawkins' decision to switch numbers doesn't solve the problem, it merely compounds it for the next guy who tries wearing it.

(Also, Rivera barely has room to say anything -- he's the only guy still wearing No. 42 after it was retired by the rest of Major League Baseball in honor Jackie Robinson. Yes, I know he wore it before MLB honored Robinson, but he more than anyone should understand someone's decision to wear a number when it goes against the majority's opinion.)