IF THE YANKEES DON'T FIRE HIM, BOONE NEEDS TO WALK AWAY!

Let’s start with a truth bomb wrapped in pinstripes and frustration: Aaron Boone has to go. This is not a hot take. This is a baseball fan’s plea, born from years of empty promises, hollow pressers, and the slow, joyless decay of a team that used to breathe fire under the Bronx lights.

Yes, Boone owns a .581 winning percentage across eight seasons. And yes, that’s the fourth-best among active managers. But guess what? That number is as empty as the Yankees’ trophy case since he took over. A good regular season record doesn’t mean squat when your October resume reads like a disappointment reel. Ask any real Yankee fan—Boone doesn’t lead this team. He babysits it.

Boone’s relationship with his players feels more like a group therapy circle than a baseball team. He coddles. He protects. He nods empathetically when guys boot grounders or forget the number of outs. When Jazz Chisholm Jr. made a brutal baserunning mistake, Boone publicly called it “aggressive baseball.” Privately, according to Athlon Sports, he admitted it was dumb. You know what that is? Cowardice with a side of sugar-coating.

Leadership means calling out nonsense when you see it—not whispering it behind closed doors like you’re afraid of hurting feelings. Boone leads like a middle school vice principal who just wants everyone to get along and eat their orange slices at snack time.

Baseball isn’t a spreadsheet. It’s instinct, pulse, momentum. I caught something the night of August 4th when the Yankees lost 8-5.  During the game, David Cone set of Aaron's brother Bret Boone and I'm paraphrasing, that Bret wasn't the type that used an iPad to go over baseball players and techniques. Cone suggested that Bret Boone goes by gut and feel and "that's why Bruce Bochy" swept him up.  In other words, that's why Bret coaches with Bochy... cause he's smart.  Cone can't talk trash about Aaron Boone in public, but I can guarantee you that was a subtle shot at Aaron Boone because he doesn't use his gut. 

He and the Yankee cronies in the front office us iPads and projection analytics.  That's how I interpreted it. I could be wrong, but that's how I feel. Boone clings to analytics like they’re the Rosetta Stone. He’ll pull a pitcher who’s shoving because the iPad says so, only to put in some reliever who last pitched during the Paleozoic Era. You’re left wondering if Boone is managing the Yankees or simming a game on MLB The Show with auto-manage turned on.

Let’s not dance around it—this team forgets how to bunt, move runners, or even play heads-up baseball. And that’s on Boone and his staff. We’ve seen more cohesive strategy in beer league softball games. 

You think Billy Martin would’ve let this slide? Earl Weaver? Heck, even Joe Girardi would’ve flipped a table by now.  Under Boone’s watch, talent rots and hustle dies. The Yankees can go from world-beaters to bottom-feeders over the course of a single series. They’re not bad because they lack skill. They’re bad because they lack urgency. And urgency starts at the top.

Here’s the cherry on top of this stale sundae: Boone has had a Cy Young winner and an MVP on the roster. And what does he have to show for it? A 22-23 postseason record and not a single World Series appearance. That’s a historic waste of firepower. He’s the first Yankee manager to hold both of those trophies on his roster and still be home in November. That should be a felony in the Bronx.

Even as the Yankees stumble and bumble, you’ve got the usual suspects running interference for Boone. Michael Kay, for one, seems to think Boone is just misunderstood. Why do fans hate him so much, he wonders?

Gee, Mikey—maybe it’s because the Yankees have been underachieving for years, and you’re more concerned about keeping your YES Network paycheck than speaking the truth! And that IS the truth! Kay will never talk about of turn against Boone... because he doesn't have balls. So what does he do? He picks on the fans. 

On the other end, you’ve got Evan Roberts on WFAN telling it like it is—Boone needs to go now. Finally, someone with a mic and a pulse. That God someone else is calling for Boone's firing that Bleeding Yankee Blue.

And so, if the Yankees won't fire Boone. Maybe Boone needs to look in the mirror and recognize that maybe he needs to walk away from the team.  Even in the loss to the Rangers tonight. Boone has Mark Leiter and Dave Bednar up in the pen and Williams pitching to Tellez with the bases loaded. He had an opportunity to take out Williams, but he froze.  Well, Williams pitched and gave up 2 runs. Is it Williams fault? Negative. It's the manager's fault for not reacting and not using his gut. He thought with his stupid iPad.  

I often think about the Ted Williams blueprint.  In 1969, Ted Williams took over the lowly Washington Senators and dragged them to 86 wins, earning AL Manager of the Year. But when things soured and his team nosedived into a 54-100 record in 1972 and they became the Texas Rangers, Williams didn’t hang around like a barnacle. He left. No fuss, no delusion, just dignity. He understood... the leader of the club, him, wasn't doing his job. Ted Williams had the self-awareness to walk away when he knew he wasn’t helping. Boone? He’s clinging to this gig like it’s the last churro at a ballpark stand.

Look, after tonight's loss and just awful managing once again, Aaron Boone must know it's time. Either he needs to be fired, or he needs to walk away.  You don’t need to wait for Hal Steinbrenner to grow a spine or for Brian Cashman to stop rearranging the bullpen like it's fantasy camp. Do what’s right. You’ve lost the clubhouse. You’ve lost the fans. You’ve lost total control and much like I've been preaching here since 2020... you're a terrible leader. You manage in fear.

Just leave. Because leadership isn’t about buddy-buddy relationships. It’s about winning, demanding greatness, and knowing when the team needs something different. And the Yankees, right now, need something very different. So go Boone... go away.

WHEN THE HELL DID WE ALL GET SOFT & FEEL BAD FOR A LOSING MANAGER?

We are in a world where no one can understand disappointment for someone.  We are in a world where no one can admit blame. We are in a world where we feel sorry for people who can't do their job. By the way, when I grew up, managers got fired for not making the playoffs.  These days managers get extensions for being mediocre.  These days, the baseball world feels bad for Aaron Boone, the leader of the team.  "He doesn't swing the bats" and "He's not on the mound". All true statements, but he's also not rallying the troops or instilling a rally cry and setting this team up for success either.  

The latest comments about Aaron Boone come from his brother Bret, because that's not biased or anything, right? The New York Post writes that Bret Boone was on Sports Talk Chicago and said:

“I watch that team on a daily basis, and all due respect to [Anthony] Volpe, I think he’s gonna be a really good player — if he’s hitting fifth for the New York Yankees, you’re in trouble... And I think that’s what Aaron’s got to deal with. And I think Aaron’s done a great job. And I’ll tell you, I have to take my brother hat off sometimes. But you have to be honest. I’m honest with him, too.

“The players love Aaron Boone. He backs them to a fault. He loves his team. He loves his players. He’s one of the most passionate men I’ve ever been around.”

I have heard the players love Aaron Boone so many times now and it's not an argument when it comes to baseball.  Why? I'll tell you.  You can love the guy who's leading you, but if there's no motivation, no true leadership, no push, that gets old quick. Why? BECAUSE COMPETITORS HATE LOSING.  

If we are all ok with friendships and not winning, then the scenario where Aaron Boone stays manager of the New York Yankees works. 

But that is not what the fans are in it for. We are in it for the Yankees being led to championships year after year, and when the team does not win, or even fails to make the playoffs... THAT SEASON IS CONSIDERED A FAILURE.

When the hell did we all get soft and feel bad for the losing manager?  I'm over it.

FIRING DILLON LAWSON WAS SYMBOLISM FOR YANKEELAND & A MESSAGE TO BOONE

The Yankees are 8 games back... fourth place going into the All-Star break.  While it seriously is NOT the end of the world and there's plenty of baseball to be played, Yankee brass knew something had to be done to make Yankee fans feel, well... a little relieved that maybe change was coming. And so, the worst hitting coach in the league, Dillon Lawson had to go.  A symbol to the fanbase, that yes, "We acknowledge that you are unhappy, and yes, we will try and fix this."  

Will the firing of Lawson work?  Who knows, meaning ultimately it does come down to these professional hitters, all capable of hitting a baseball. But for some reason, all caught up in some type of habit or hitch that won't allow them to move forward.  But for me, there is no question as a Yankee fan that the end of Lawson came when Aaron Hicks found new life in Baltimore. Coupled by alittle Chicken Parm and adjustment made by Anthony Volpe with the help of Austin Wells.  When it was revealed that these players were finding quality at bats elsewhere, that really should have kicked Dillon Lawson's ass in gear to start to do his job.  Bottom line, it was too late and with the Yankees losing to the Cubs 7-4 yesterday, Steinbrenner had seen enough and good for him.

And so, this is the reset portion of our Yankee season.  

But more importantly, Yankee brass will be looking a lot closer at how to fix the struggling offense.  Dillon Lawson is partially to blame sadly.  Many of the pros are adults and can't seem to make adjustments on their own, but we also have had plenty of injuries.  That being said, now we need to move forward to the second half of the season. And yes, if things don't get better, Boone should be worried. That's how it works.

The Athletic writes:

"Boone has to be on alert. Sure, the three-year contract the Yankees gave him runs through next season and comes with a team option for 2025. But so what? Firing Lawson was a drastic measure, and the heat has been turned all the way up in the Bronx. Boone knows that all eyes are on him to turn this around. The next hitting coach, whoever gets the job, will be starting from a deficit. He won’t have an offseason and spring training to prepare. It’ll be up to Boone to not just make sure players are on board with the new guy’s message, but he’ll also need to make sure the players maintain trust in the front office. Players will be looking for leadership, and leadership has decided that one of its own had to go."

There's that word. Leadership.  Bleeding Yankee Blue has preached the word Leadership ever since Aaron Boone showed up.  This isn't a guy that can actually manage a winning Yankees team. This is a guy with a baseball pedigree that like the 1996 movie Multiplicity, got worse from Ray Boone to Aaron Boone.  

In other words, guys like Ray, his son Bob Boone were from that old school mentality of really understanding this game. I'd even give some credit to Bret Boone who had a pretty decent career.  But something went wrong with this other Boone. 

Aaron is just not capable or experienced enough to hold the Yankee reigns and cares more about arguing with umpires over balls and strikes than he does of actually molding players.  I equate Boone to the Yankee fan boy. He loves hanging with the Yankee players... but doesn't really understand the amount of responsibility he has. And it's enormous.  Boone has never said much in press conferences.  

His anger is only truly demonstrated on the field yelling at umps, and let's be honest, no one gives a crap about that. It's theater, not leadership.

And so, firing Lawson was a warning shot, symbolism to not only us frustrated Yankee fans who want a quick fix, but a turn-around in the second half. But it's more than that.  It's Hal Steinbrenner finally understanding why his dad was a lunatic all those years before.  

Winning in baseball is important, especially if you're the Yankees.  Boone can preach that this is a marathon, not a sprint all he wants, but since he came to the Yankees in 2017, he's preached "marathon".   So listen to me carefully... we're going on a 6-year marathon now.  Sooner or later you better start sprinting.  And that's what Steinbrenner is seeing these days.  Boone's being complacent, not showing urgency as the manager of the New York Yankees and it is disturbing to do this for this amount of time. Remember the last time we won? It was 2009.  

Good ol' Steinbrenner made it a point to demonstrate what urgency really is.  It's time.  Time for change and time to get off your ass and make this team competitive, Mr. Boone.

We can only hope.  It won't be easy, however. It starts with Boone, but we also have to deal with a new hitting coach, unfamiliar with the players and not coming into spring training, but instead halfway through the season.

The fans and most of the MLB players will be relaxing this break, all doing their own type of reset. But the Yankees front office will be working hard, and they should.  They have no choice.  Enough of the "one game at a time" and "marathon" mentality.  Urgency needs to be seen and leadership needs to step up.  Do that and we have a shot this year.  Yelling at umpires over balls and strikes and talking about "hitting strikes hard" means nothing in the second half.  

We are the Yankees. We just need to do better, that's it.

THE YANKEES ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF POOR LEADERSHIP

It's the biggest disappointment in the Yankees 2021 season.... and all of it has to do with failed leadership.

Bleeding Yankee Blue is not the only ones that are piling on.  Several are out there voicing frustration, fans and media alike.  And you can try and blame the players all you want. We here at BYB are not. We go to the top. We blame the top! And I'm not talking about Brian Cashman or Hal. No. Those guys got us the right players to achieve greatness. But much like a bunch of Little Leaguers... motivation from a manager needs to be significant. I mean, these players have MADE it, they're in the MLB, but even players need motivation no matter what level you are.  

And where do you get motivation? You get it from your leader. In the Yankees case... lack there of.  

Aaron Boone needs to be fired. 

Enough of this "friends with my players" bullshit.  You can't be a friend and be a leader.  You need to seperate to 2 until your goal is achieved. And the goal? Winning. Let me rephrase... winning consistently.  

Everyone knows the Yankees can't win 162 games. No team can, but there needs to be some consistency.  There needs to be a guy at the top that knows what to say and when to say it.  No one loved Joe Girardi, but Girardi was competitive. Girardi IS competitive. He brought a loser Phillies team all the way up to .500.  The Yankees? 

They're better than the Phillies. They're one game above .500 and 9 games back.  Worst Yankee team since the days of Bobby Meacham? Probably.

But in the 2021 Yankees team, one thing is missing... leadership. Boone is not a true leader. Boone is the grandson of Ray Boone, son of Bob Boone and brother of Bret Boone and that's where his baseball experience begins and ends.  

Sometimes... sometimes it doesn't translate.  Experience isn't hitting a home run to beat the Red Sox in the 2003 ALDS. It goes much deeper than that.  It was exciting then, but do you notice that's all this guy has?

And so how does that transfer into leadership? How do leaders get respect? How do leaders lead? Well, it's about trust and not about friendship.  And Boone needs to dig deep and see what that means. I don't know if he needs to go to a Vegas desert and take some peyote and reflect or if he needs a nice stern talking to from Cashman and company. But one thing is certain... He needs to change his approach, because he's TERRIBLE at it.

This Yankee team won't play for him. This group of coaches he surrounds himself with don't believe in him.  This guy is on his own island and the team has left him whether they act like it publicly or not. Why you ask? He's not a leader... he's a friend.  That's a loser all day long, folks... especially if you're the manager.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes:

"The 1995 Yankees were 30-35, yet surged to be the first AL wild card in a 144-game season. The 2016 Yankees were 31-34 and for the only time in Steinbenner ownership were sellers at the deadline, yet actually played better after dealing Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova.

But dig deeper. The 1995 Yankees obtained David Cone and rallied around getting Don Mattingly to the playoffs to have a historic season. The 2005 club received pretty much baseball miracles in Shawn Chacon and Aaron Small, plus the farm system gave that roster Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang — neither of whom were viewed as an elite prospect at the time of promotion. The 2016 Yankees got a historic homer binge from Gary Sanchez after his elevation. The 2005-08 teams still were clinging to key pieces of a dynasty that had winning at the highest level in their muscle memory. The 2007 club received an MVP season from Alex Rodriguez."

Now while comparing teams to each other isn't exactly a good execise because talent and feel are different every season... there is one thing that is pretty signicant in what Sherman is trying to say.  Leadership WAS different. Showalter.  Torre. Girardi. These guys were battle tested. They understood competition. They weren't handed the keys with some blind faith... they used to drive the fucking car. ALOT. Boone didn't drive... he rode shotgun. And while he was supposed to be observing the way it all worked as a manager... he would get easily distracted looking at dogs and street signs as the drive to managerial stardom unfolded for him.

And so here we are.  He can fake it all he wants, but he just wasn't paying attention all these years... despite the pedigree.

Aaron Boone is the reason this Yankee team is terrible. Leadership is vital in this game and Boone doesn't have it.  You know who else didn't have it? 

Stump Merrill

Dallas Green

Those were dark times as a Yankee fan. We're back to those times.

Fire the manager. 

Bring some new light and energy to this Yankee club and find a way to convince them that they are the shining light in the Bronx. Because right now... they don't believe in themselves or their ability. And adults or not... motivation is always vital. That starts with solid leadership. 

Boonie? You're finished.