We all know that the Covid pandemic has changed every aspect of our lives, including sports journalism. Beat writers have not been in locker rooms for two seasons now which has eliminated some of those extra behind the scenes moments that fans crave. Now we MAY have some insight on what has really been holding back this team.
I say MAY because NJ.com posted a story that you can only see if you are a paid subscriber, luckily it has also been leaked on MSN.com
HERE. The headline of the story is about
David Cone but, that's not the real takeaway of the story. The lead was actually buried. Does NJ.com think that Cone could help the Yankees? Sure, I believe that. But according to them an unnamed source, there have been some chemistry concerns in the clubhouse.
"According to a source, Gerrit Cole and Brett Gardner argued after MLB prohibited the use of Spider Tack in June. To soften the blow and lighten the moment, Gardner paraded around the clubhouse with pine tar on his hat. He was trying to get a laugh out of Cole. Apparently it had just the opposite effect."
Sounds like locker room banter was taken personally instead of as a joke. As the Yankees veteran leader of this team and the only active player from the 2009 Championship team I'm sure Gardner has seen plenty of locker room antics in his day but it sounds like he really underestimated Cole's reaction IF this story is even true.
"Cole didn’t see it that way, pushing back in a way that must’ve shocked the veteran outfielder. It took a full day for Cole to calm down; he ended up apologizing to Gardner."
NJ.com went on to say that this incident should prove that Cole needs someone in the room who can coach and relate and adapt to a Plan B and that is where Cone would be a great match for the Yankees. Cole doesn't need a psychologist, and he doesn't need to be babied by a former player. In fact, he HAS a former player in there already who is SUPPOSED to be a "Player's manager" named
Aaron Boone....right? That's part of his so-called charm.
I don't like stories pushed by unnamed sources BUT if it is true it's more proof of Boone's inability to successfully handle the day-to-day operations of a professional baseball team. Especially not the Yankees who have the highest expectations every year and have fallen flat ever since Boone became skipper. The Yankees were expected to go father with Boone than with
Joe Girardi who supposedly did not gel well with the players.
Could the Yankees use Cone? Sure, I think he would have a lot to offer but adding Cone does not fix any chemistry problems. Winning does take more than just talent. It takes chemistry too....I thought that was what Boone was good at. Obviously not if this story is true. And IF this story is true then giving Boone another contract is dumber than dumb!
--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Senior Managing Editor
I agree and as a former pitcher Cone understands the ups and downs of being a pitcher for the Yankees. He qualifications speak volumes of what a good asset he would be not only as a pitching coach but be able to understand the ohyche of all the pitchers when they have bad days physically and mentally. He has been there done that and knows what to do and how to cope with it. As for Boone he was a 3rd Baseman. He has no clue when a pitcher needs to be pulled out when a pitcher can no longer find the plate. He leaves them in too long and the other team racks up too many runs to catch up. Boone wants to be everyones friend and forgets he is a manager 1st. A player Gio for example runs into the dugout to catch a ball and everyone sees his is limping and puts him back out there the next inning. Voit Torres Sanchez Stanton never hustle when they hit the ball. This is a moral problem. Simple rule no hustle no play. Joe Torre never had these problems. Why? Because after the game he talked to them one on one. He let them know his expectations or get sent back to AAA or be traded. Boone is too soft on these players. This is why Boone will never be a good manager no matter where he goes.
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