NEW YORK -- Rafael Cruz's favorite player was former Yankee Paul O'Neill, feeling so strongly that he named his son after him: Oneil Cruz.
So with the Pirates' in town for the week, it was about time the two finally met.
Before Wednesday's game between the Yankees and Pirates, Cruz and his namesake got to have their first conversation via FaceTime.
O'Neill also gifted Cruz a signed jersey.
Oneil Cruz is named after Paul O'Neill.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 21, 2022
This afternoon the two FaceTimed and Paul gave Oneil a signed jersey! pic.twitter.com/DMLy2mGWP9
Cruz's face tells the whole story, but I thought it was worth getting some words to go along with it.
“It was awesome," Cruz told me through interpreter Mike Gonzalez. "Very proud moment. Not only is he a legend, to meet a legend, but I’ve been hearing about this guy my whole life. Being able to meet him meant a lot to me.”
I brought up that it was probably just as cool for O'Neill too. Cruz smiled at that.
"We had a good talk," he responded.
