YES Network analysts David Cone and Paul O’Neill are two beloved members of the New York Yankees fraternity. Their outstanding contributions set the culture for the franchise’s most recent dynasty winning four world championships in a span of five seasons (1996-2000). As ball players, Cone and O’Neill epitomized leadership and accountability while constantly striving for excellence. Both were driven by a dogged determination as Cone will always be synonymous with achieving perfection in 1999 against the Montreal Expos while O’Neill was greatly admired for his steadfast commitment to swing mechanics.

Uniquely different personalities bonded together through shared baseball experiences and an unrelenting passion for winning, Cone and O’Neill have added tremendous depth and perspective as analysts on the YES Network. The duo has developed a natural chemistry in the broadcast booth with Michael Kay doing an exemplary job of directing traffic. An overlooked aspect of Kay’s multitude of talents as a play-by-play announcer is how he creates a fertile environment for both Cone and O’Neill to equally share their anecdotes and perspectives throughout the course of a ball game.

David Cone is held in high regard as one of the best baseball analysts in broadcasting today. As someone who has quickly embraced the analytics revolution with great zeal, Cone carefully blends nearly two decades of experience pitching at the major league level with an intellectual curiosity focused on cutting edge statistics and new technological advancements. He distinguishes himself among a crowded field of quantitatively inclined analysts through tone, approach and authenticity. As he meticulously explains the latest statistical advancements in its proper context, Cone comes across as a trustworthy voice who sincerely wants to educate the viewers.

Even though analytics has created an unintended schism and is unfairly criticized for taking the heartbeat out of baseball, Cone eloquently bridges the gap as if he is a renowned professor teaching a master class on the art of pitching in the modern game. As a former American League Cy Young Award winner, Cone immediately garners respect and credibility. Unlike some ball players who become broadcasters, Cone does not rest comfortably on the accomplishments listed on the back of his baseball card. A perpetual student of the game whose infectious enthusiasm inspires others to look beyond traditional statistics, Cone is constantly making meaningful connections while encouraging all of us to embrace a new way of watching a baseball game.

There are multiple instances of Cone demonstrating excellence this season, but two immediately come to mind. As Major League Baseball enhanced its enforcement of rules that prohibit the usage of foreign substances on baseballs, several conversations began to focus on spin rates for pitchers and revolutions per minute (rpm). It seemed as if many broadcasters were talking around the issue while focusing on the negative aspects of the rule enforcement. Cone was one of the few voices who clearly addressed the situation and provided viewers with guidelines when it came to identifying noticeable changes in a pitcher’s spin rate and rpm.

Some of Cone’s most enjoyable commentaries feature right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole. He has provided outstanding insight into the movement and velocity of Cole’s pitches while also discussing the subtle changes Cole has made to his repertoire. Cone has educated the viewers on how Cole has increased his usage of the changeup this season while carefully diagramming situations where and why the pitch was used during ball games. Both Cole and Cone are kindred spirits when it comes to the modern advancements in pitching, and you can feel a natural connection between the two even as Cone sits atop in the broadcast booth.

Paul O’Neill is the perfect complement to David Cone as an analyst. He is affable, astute and insightful when it comes to discussing the mindset of a Major League hitter. The outpouring of love during the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2001 World Series will always be a living testament to the man affectionately called “The Warrior” by George Steinbrenner. O’Neill’s key strengths as a broadcaster are his versatility, depth of hitting knowledge and an innate ability to succinctly summarize what he is observing in a batter’s box. He is straightforward and does not overcomplicate explanations. There are many times when O’Neill is breaking down a hitter’s swing mechanics that you feel compelled to grab a bat and emulate his analysis.

The personification of intensity and perfection, the former American League batting champion clearly enjoys explaining his craft. A keen observation regarding O’Neill is how he provides thoughtful responses to questions posed by both Cone and Kay regarding hitting. He also takes it a step further by referencing previous conversations with the likes of Don Mattingly and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. When asked what makes Los Angeles Angels phenomenon Shohei Ohtani so special as a hitter, O’Neill described how Ohtani can keep the bat head through the hitting zone for a long period of time.

O’Neill’s finest work as an analyst this season begins with Gary Sanchez. At one point during a broadcast, he was asked about Sanchez’s improvement as a hitter. O’Neill provided a detailed explanation which focused on Sanchez’s ability to minimize his movements while removing a leg kick and staying on level with the baseball in a squat position. O’Neill took it a step further and discussed the importance of Sanchez quieting the lower half of his body while maintaining balance. He ended the analysis by encouraging the viewers to pay attention to how Sanchez was consistently winning pitches in each of his at bats.

O’Neill’s recent analyses in the series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field were impressive thanks to his versatility. He provided meaningful insights into how the turf and playing conditions at Tropicana Field affect a ball club’s defensive strategies. O’Neill truly excelled when analyzing a leadoff single in the fourth inning by Yankees second baseman Rougned Odor during a scoreless ball game. Rays pitcher Michael Wacha was ahead in the count, 0-2, and working the left-handed Odor inside with a defensive shift to the right side of the infield. Odor wound up hitting an outside changeup to the left side of the infield. O’Neill discussed the importance of a pitcher and his defense being in sync regarding pitch selection and location especially when a shift is being implemented by the ball club.

Sometimes, it gets overlooked that O’Neill was a rock-solid right fielder whose defensive highlight reel is just as impressive as his hitting. His expertise playing the outfield at Fenway Park was an important aspect of the broadcasts during the Boston Red Sox series. He discussed how experience is important when playing the outfield at Fenway Park because of the challenges presented by the oddly shaped outfield. Besides referencing the Green Monster and how to play the caroms off the famous wall and other nooks and crannies, O’Neill provided additional insight into reading a baseball off the crack of the bat in the century old ballpark.

David Cone and Paul O’Neill subscribe to different approaches when analyzing a baseball game, but they always arrive at the same destination: an enjoyable and informative viewing experience on the YES Network. Their chemistry as teammates has successfully carried over to the broadcast booth and it is evident in their analyses, storytelling and humorous exchanges. As Michael Kay sets the rhythm, Cone and O’Neill fall perfectly into place and provide extraordinary depth to broadcasts thanks to their unique perspectives.