BOONE MANAGERIAL STINT HAS NOT BEEN EASY

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

I will be the first to say that I was skeptical of Aaron Boone as a manager for the most celebrated team in baseball. But the deck he has been dealt over the last three seasons, including this one has been challenging to say the least. And as Boone enters the last guaranteed year of his initial contract with the Yankees, this one could be the most difficult of them all.

Source: ESPN

“Our job is to get ready to go win a championship,’’ Boone said before spring training was shut down. “We don’t feel like anyone should be able to get in our way,” reported the New York Post.  But with a shortened schedule and teams like the Tampa Bay Rays who like to play spoilers, nothing is going to be smooth sailing for Boone and the Bombers.

Source: ABC 7

His first year of managerial service saw Boone filling the big shoes of Joe Girardi and establishing his leadership style and niche.  In the second year, Boone dealt with injury after injury in his players, forcing him to be a more creative manager.  Both years, he felt short of the Series. Now this year with a proposed 82-game schedule, Boone has a lot to prove in a short amount of time. Not to mention he now will deal with social distancing, additional safety precautions, and likely little to no fan support.

Source: USA Today

At this point, Boone and the rest of the Yankees likely just want to get started and see what they can do.  Having healthy players is a plus and if all goes according to plan, the Yankees will be at first pitch in the 2020 World Series with Boone at the helm.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof