Title: Cardinals’ Tyler O’Neill Overcomes Back Injury, Gains Valuable Perspective
Subtitle: O’Neill reflects on his journey back to the field after battling excruciating back pain
Date: [current date]
CHICAGO — St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill had a moment of reflection during a frustrating game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Despite the Cardinals’ loss, O’Neill found himself marveling at the sun-splashed day at Wrigley Field, appreciating the raucous crowd, and gaining valuable perspective on his journey back to the baseball field.
Just 2 1/2 months earlier, O’Neill was dealing with debilitating back pain that prevented him from even holding his 5-month-old daughter, Audrie, in his arms. He would often wake up in the middle of the night with shooting pain down his leg. Flash forward to Friday, and O’Neill found himself on base for the fifth time in his first two games back since May 4. The contrast between his struggles in early May and his current performance wasn’t lost on him.
“Pretty much everyday life was tough to get through, but I’m a grinder and I wanted to push through it,” O’Neill said, recalling the severe back pain that landed him on the 60-day Injured List on May 5. “It got to the point where I couldn’t even hold my baby girl…and I’m waking up in the middle of the night with shooting pain down my leg on a consistent basis.”
O’Neill’s determination led him to seek a second opinion in June, which ultimately resulted in a successful recovery. On Friday, he continued to make an impact on the field, scoring the Cardinals’ first run and stealing third base with his speed. However, a series of unfortunate events prevented him from advancing any further, including an umpire call that led to a double play.
Despite the loss, O’Neill’s resilience and return to form have been instrumental in the Cardinals’ recent success. The team had just concluded a season-best six-game winning streak and had won eight of the previous nine games before Friday’s defeat.
The Cardinals’ appreciation for O’Neill’s journey is evident, as he overcame a shoulder injury and multiple hamstring strains in the 2022 season. After working hard to condition his body during the offseason, O’Neill initially started as the Opening Day center fielder before moving back to left field, where he previously won Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2021. Unfortunately, back pain sidelined him, but after receiving treatment from a specialist in Southern California, O’Neill finally found the relief he needed to make his return.
Coincidentally, Friday marked the six-year anniversary of O’Neill being traded to the Cardinals from the Seattle Mariners. While trade rumors continue to swirl around him, O’Neill expressed his desire to remain a Cardinal and praised the organization and his teammates.
“The Cardinals have a great thing going here, and I’m very familiar with these guys — not just my teammates, but also the staff,” O’Neill said. “In terms of big league talk, [the Cardinals] are all I know. I love it here, and we’ll see what happens.”
As O’Neill continues to contribute to the Cardinals’ success, his journey serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination required to overcome adversity.