On Paul O'Neill's 50th birthday, we remember that time he kicked the ball to the cut-off man

Former Yankees and Reds outfielder Paul O'Neill is celebrating his 50th birthday Monday, so let's trek back to 1989, when he made one of the more improbable plays in baseball history.

The Reds and Phillies were tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning and the Phils were threatening with a runner on second. The batter slapped a single to right field and O'Neill fielded, bobbled, bobbled again and then (perhaps out of frustration) punted a perfect one-hopper to first base -- preventing Steve Jeltz from scoring the winning run.

Paulie O would go on to appear in five All-Star Games and win five World Series titles - terrorizing more than a few water coolers along the way --  during his 17-year Major League career.

-- Matt Monagan / MLB.com