Swing and a Hit Audiobook By Paul O'Neill, Jack Curry cover art

Swing and a Hit

Nine Innings of What Baseball Taught Me

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Swing and a Hit

By: Paul O'Neill, Jack Curry
Narrated by: Jack Curry
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This fun and fiery New York Times bestselling memoir tells the life story of All Star Yankee and five-time World Champion, Paul O’Neill, like you’ve never seen him before.

In Swing and Hit​, O’Neill elaborates on his most important hitting principles, lessons, and memories—exploring those elements across ten chapters (to align with the nine innings of a baseball game and one extra inning). Here, O’Neill, with his intense temperament, describes what he did as a hitter, how he adjusted to pitchers, how he boosted his confidence, how he battled with umpires (and water coolers), and what advice he would give to current hitters.

O’Neill has always been a tough out at the plate. Recalling how he started to swing at bat as a two-year-old and kept swinging it professionally until he was thirty-eight, O’Neill provides constant insights into the beauty and frustration of playing baseball. The legendary Ted Williams said using a round bat to hit a round ball is the most difficult thing to do in sports. Naturally, O’Neill, who once received a surprise call from Williams that was filled with hitting advice, agrees.

Swing and Hit​ features O’Neill’s most thoughtful revelations and offers clubhouse stories from some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball—hitters, managers, and teammates like Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Pete Rose, and Bernie Williams.

Remember, O’Neill, ever the perfectionist, was the type of hitter who believed that pitchers didn’t ever get him out. For that incredible reason and so many others, Swing and Hit​ is essential reading for any baseball fan. Biographies & Memoirs Baseball & Softball Sports Coaching Feel-Good

Critic reviews

“I’ve always known how superb and how prepared Paul O’Neill was as a hitter. After reading SWING AND A HIT now I know all of O’Neill’s secrets and sacrifices and everything that helped make him such a splendid hitter. With every page I read, it was evident how Paul obsessed over the art of hitting and how he learned from some of the game’s best hitters. I loved competing with and against Paul. I loved this book just as much.”—David Cone, Five-Time World Series Champion, Cy Young Award Winner and baseball announcer for The Yes Network and ESPN
“Paul O’Neill’s passion to get a hit was obvious every time he stepped in the batter’s box. He was a fierce competitor who never thought he should make an out. And, in SWING AND A HIT, Paul intimately describes the journey that led to him being such a special hitter. This book is as entertaining and illuminating as one of O’Neill’s feisty at bats. Add another hit to O’Neill’s stats.” —Buck Showalter, Manager of The New York Mets, former manager of the N.Y. Yankees and three-time Manager of The Year.
“Paul O’Neill is so much more than “the warrior.” He is a baseball savant and an incredible student of the game. He and Jack Curry peel away the layers of the five-time world champion in this riveting read. I’ve known Paul for 30 years and I came away knowing much more about hitting and about him than before I picked up this fascinating read.” —Michael Kay, Yankees’ Play-By-Play announcer for the Yes Network.
“Paul O’Neill is one of my all-time favorite teammates. I loved his approach to the game, his passion, his commitment, and his relentless competitive spirit. Paul’s work ethic was unmatched. As a hitter, he was never satisfied. If you want insight into one of my favorite players, read SWING AND A HIT. I guarantee it won’t disappoint.”—Don Mattingly, Miami Marlins’ manager and former Yankees' captain
Nostalgic Memories • Personal Reflections • Baseball Insights • Emotional Storytelling • Fascinating Anecdotes

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Growing up in Upstate NY during the 90’sPaul O’Neill was my Idol. I am a lefty and would always mimic his stance when I played. I also went to his plaque ceremony at Yankee Stadium in 2014 so it was cool to read about his mindset during that day. Must read for any Fan!

My Favorite Player

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You might need to be either a Yankees fan or just an all around baseball fan to enjoy this book. Either way, it is well worth checking out. Paul O’Neill tells a great story and the narrator makes it a great listen. Not being a Yankee fan, I really never realized how accomplished O’Neill was so I enjoyed learning of his accolades. His stories of being with the Reds early in his career were very interesting as well.

Well Worth It For Baseball Fans

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Lots of stories. Talks a lot about hitting and there’s many lessons to pick up from.

Great listen

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If I actually needed any other reasons to like and appreciate The Warrior even more this book gave me that. Especially hearing more about the loss of his dad since I've recently lost my mom. Great book

Awesome book on The Warrior

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As a lifelong Yankees fan, and one who lived and died with each win and loss through the championship years of 1996-2000, this book was an amazing walk down memory lane with Pauly.
Getting to hear the ins and outs of one of the hardest working baseball players in the game, from his perspective, was a fantastic view of that history.
Having lost my older sister, Cathy Martin, on 10/29/1999, my view of the 1999 Postseason was also a blur. I watched all 4 WS games in at my sister’s bedside in the hospital. Remembering those games through this book was heartbreaking and brought tears to my eyes, as Paul shared the grief he endured losing his father around the same time.
I doubt Mr. O’Neill will ever see this review, but, your style of play and sheer passion for the game was rewarding to watch. As a fan, it felt very vindicating seeing you as frustrated as we fans were when things didn’t go well. Nothing was more disheartening than to watch other players laughing or joking around in the dugout after having struck out in a huge spot. You were a great player, but your passion is what endeared you to so many New Yorkers. It was unmatched. Thank you for that.
Watching current Yankees games and getting to hear Paul, Michael Kay and David Cone reminisce about the past or poke fun at each other continues to entertain me today. This book is more of those conversations on a more in-depth level.
Great book and a must read for any baseball fan. Thanks Pauly. And thank you Jack Curry for bringing the story to life.

Thanks for the memories

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