BREAKING: PUPPET BOONE WILL RETURN AS YANKEES MANAGER!

 You can't make this shit up.

Aaron Boone will return to the New York Yankees as a lifeless leader. Why? That's anyone's guess. The way I see it, if you fire guys like Marcus Thames and Phil Nevin, who work for Boone, how the hell do you not fire the leader of the losers?  It is crystal clear to me that the Yankees want Boone there as a pawn, a puppet, a way to control the field and the game play. Nothing more. He isn't qualified.  

Anyway, ESPN writes:

"Aaron Boone, who has led the New York Yankees to the postseason in each of his four seasons in the Bronx, will return as manager on a new three-year deal with a club option for 2025, it was announced Tuesday.

"We have a person and manager in Aaron Boone who possesses the baseball acumen and widespread respect in our clubhouse to continue to guide us forward," Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "As a team and as an organization, we must grow, evolve and improve. We need to get better. Period.

"I know Aaron fully embraces our expectations of success, and I look forward to drawing on his intelligence, instincts and leadership in pursuit of our next World Series championship."

Blah, Blah, Blah. Let me tell you something... every year as manager of any team has expectations... and those expectations are to make it to the World Series and hopefully win it. Anything less, like what the Yankees have done is a failure. 

Yankee fans have waited too long to be disappointed again with the Yankees decision on manager.  And trust me, if a guy like Mike Shildt of the St. Louis Cardinals can right that ship and get a playoff berth after a 17 game winning streak and STILL get fired after 3 seasons with him at the helm, but the Yankees don't fire Boone, it is clear to me that the Cardinals front office cares more about winning than ticket sales.  Leadership is valuable and we have none.

Hal is misguided. He's lost just as bad as his under-performing, unqualified puppet manager Boone.

Yankee brass had a chance to change this team starting at the top. They did not. I just gave up my season tickets today.

Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

YANKEE BODIES ARE FALLING... IS BOONE NEXT?

When it comes to inexperience... all you had to do was look at the Yankees coaching staff and laugh.  No one really had experience in the Major Leagues except maybe Marcus Thames and Phil Nevin. I've been screaming about this for months at BYB. The coaching staff is awful.  In fact, I would suggest that the manager was the more inexperienced than Phil Nevin too! Boone is a baffoon, a puppet, put there to torture Yankee fans who pay their hard earned money to go see their team win.  And yes, they did win, sometimes... when there was usually a 10 game losing streak attached to it.

Streaky teams have a hard time being consistent and that was their downfall. And yes you can blame the players to some extent, but you need leadership and the Yankees didn't have that. They had a bunch of college coaches who became fan boys in the process.  We don't need that. We need solid coaches.

The New York Daily News writes that things are starting to change... thank God!

"Over a week after the Bombers were booted from the postseason by the Red Sox, the team informed hitting coaches Marcus Thames and P.J. Pilittere along with third base coach Phil Nevin that they would not have their contracts renewed for 2022, sources confirmed Thursday.

There is still no decision on Aaron Boone, the team’s manager for the past four years, whose contract will officially expire after the World Series."

Then this came out of nowhere from Kristie Ackert, same article:

"So what does shuffling the coaching staff mean? More importantly, what will it actually accomplish? This is just two years after they made what they thought were significant changes, firing long-time pitching coach Larry Rothschild and Josh Bard as bench coach and rebuilding their strength, conditioning and training staff. How big of a difference has that made?"

And so the question to harp on is "What will it accomplish?" Well for one, the Yankee front office has to do a deep dive to look for guys that actually know what their doing.  And if they can actually vet guys this time and maybe find a rythmn... IT WILL ACCOMPLISH ALOT.

You see, the Yankees look good on paper. But mismanagment, sitting guys "cause they need a rest" is no way to coach a team.  Sitting players for sucking is important. Tell that to Joey Gallo.  We are the Yankees. We play to win, that's our legacy and so fans aren't in the business of watching inexperience help navigate a team.  And so, one example of Bard for Rothschild is probably a pretty ridiculous one Ackert... relax. Fans know what we want. I mean look at these coaches that we currently have excluding Marcus Thames and Phil Nevin: 

                                                                          (Photo: Matt Blake)

PJ Pilittere (played baseball at California State, minor leaguer) 

Carlos Mendoza (played minor league baseball for 13 years) 

Matt Blake (pitching coachin the Cape Cod league, moved to pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians), Reggie Willits (played for the Anegels, 2006 to 2011) 

Tanner Swanson (minor league catching coordinator with the Twins).  

Does anyone realize how embarassing this is? They look more like a boy band than an actual EXPERIENCED MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COACHING STAFF.  And Boone the clown at the top? Give me a break.

I am glad Yankee bodies fell yesterday... but I want them all to fall.  Sadly, I have a sneaking suspicion that Boone will stay, but he shouldn't.

Give us experience.  Try and bring in a David Cone.  Try and bring in a Paul O'Neill. Try and bring in anyone that knows this game and all it offers and look for the win, not a streak.  I am telling you... you find the right leadership and we will right this Yankee ship.

But right now it's sinking and I can't stand it.

I leave you with this. I received a note from the Yankees trying to get me to get my 2022 ticket package. I hid the person's name because I don't want to embarass that person. They are just trying to do their job. Anyway, here's the exchange...

They never emailed me back. Oh well.

THE YANKEES COULD USE A QUICK FIX WITH PHIL NEVIN AT THE HELM!

Even if we get to the playoffs with Aaron Boone as their manager... does anyone actually think the New York Yankees can make it that deep into it and perhaps even win the World Series? Have you seen how inconsistent our bats are? Have you seen how worn out our pen is? Have you seen that we really don't have the arms to go anywhere except for ending up losing the ALDS or even the Wild card game?

The Yankees don't have the stuff. It's pretty obvious. And yes, they could go on a streak again, there's no question about it, but confidence is down, fan support is down... and the Yankees just suck, can we just admit it? This is not their year.  Great a win against the Rangers is good, but we need many more wins.

I've been ripping on Aaron Boone all season. This guy is trash. I know he's probably a real nice guy, but he cannot command any type of respect from a team like this. The Yankees are better than this, but leadership starts at the top and if this guy can't lead, the Yankees are gonna have a hell of a time trying to win. 

Leadership

/ˈlēdərˌSHip/
noun: the action of leading a group of people or an organization

What does a leader do? They create an inspiring vision and they look toward the future. Now this is baseball, but what you need to do is draw confidence from your troops. In essence, you need them believing they can do anything out there.   If someone like Boone goes into a post game, all he's ever doing is talking in circles.  "Yeah, Gary let that ball get by him and in that situation, he can't do that."  or "Yeah, we're not hitting and we need to do better."  I mean... no shit.

If you can't motivate or inspire your team and keep them engaged... you get fired. And that is what I am hoping happens to this guy.

I said it once and I'll say it again... how much do you love Phil Nevin? One of the most experienced guys on the Yankees staff and a passionate baseball guy.  You know who the Yankees will work for? Phil Nevin.  When Nevin speaks, these guys listen.  When Boone argues a call, you know he's just putting on a show to rev up the fan base and the team. But you know that it's a show and nothing more.

When Phil Nevin argues, he's just downright pissed. He cares so much about winning and has been on a baseball field way longer than loser Boone. Honestly, I don't know what Yankee Brass was thinking when they put together this ridiculous Yankees coaching staff. They are not experienced, more excited about their job title than the work, and I gotta be honest, they know NOTHING. It's like a bunch of fan boys in the dugout drooling over the fact that they can chat with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the hopes that one day their kids can come down into the dugout and take a picture with them.  Knock it off... we have a season to play!

Look, the bottom line is the Yankees are running out of time when it comes to consistency. You don't want them stumbling into the playoffs as they will literally have no shot.  Or maybe we do want them to not make the playoffs... right? Maybe then we can dump Sanchez, the entire coaching staff and Boone and let Phil Nevin still stand... maybe as our future manager or maybe just that necessary energy we need in that dugout.  We need a change folks... this may be the worst season I've ever remembered in recent Yankee memory. It's almost like Yankee brass took their eye off the ball.

Awful.

FORGETTABLE YEAR

 I can't take this team.  Every day is a heartbreaker.

The Orioles play to win. The Yankees play to get by. It's the only thing I can suggest watching these 2 teams fight.

I will say this, I was hard on Clay Holmes when he came over to New York and despite last night's loss, obivously blaming that guy, he's actually been quite decent.  That being said you have got to be kidding me with this team and the ridiculous losses.

NorthJersey.com's Pete Caldera writes:

"Down to their last strike at Camden Yards, the Orioles tied Thursday night’s game on a wild pitch by Yankees reliever Clay Holmes, who was seeking to nail down a two-inning save.

And in the 10th, Austin Hays bounced a one-out RBI single over a drawn-in infield against Wandy Peralta, giving the Orioles – losers of 99 games – a 3-2 victory over the Yankees."

Why? Why does it happen? And listening to Boone with his stupid smug face in the post games, it just disgusts me.

Yahoo Sports writes:

"“The heater up and away there, you probably gotta get to,” said Aaron Boone of Sanchez's defense of the pitch."

Duh Boone, YOU THINK??? And once again, Sanchez can't get anything behind the plate because he's too damn slow.

Look, I hate writing about the Yankees when they suck, but I also don't wanna leave you hanging. The bottom line is the run a few weeks ago was so beautiful, but it's about pitching and leading that is really gonna be the end of this team.  Sure, every once in a while the Yankee bats are dead, but even if we did make the playoffs, do you really think this Yankee team can go far? This again is NOT the Year. And when they are finished, you only have to believe that Cashman and Boone will be out of a job. It has to be their fate at this point. 

Who replaces Cashman would be anyone's guess, but there are plenty of professional former players and former managers and coaches that can replace Boone easily. And I have news for you... THE YANKEES NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT COACHING STAFF TOO. They're a bunch of nobodies.  Except Phil Nevin who likes winning more than breathing. The rest of dorks with no real experience... and Boone is the leader of the dorks.

Yanks lose to the O's. What else is new. They're killing me.

FIRE BOONE! HE BROKE HIS YANKEE TOY!

 

Aaron, you might be the worst manager in New York Yankee history. You make bad lineups, you rest better players too often and play the wrong guys all the time. And when it comes to the bullpen, you have managed to dismantle it, hurt it and put in guys that don't belong there.  You have ZERO urgency, are more concerned about how you look than how to win and are truly unqualified to lead any major league team.  Just because Ray Boone, Bob Boone and Bret Boone all played the game and were praised for years during their time doesn't make you a good manager. You're a Beta. You wanna be an Alpha. You wanna be part of that elite Boone liniage, but you just fall short, in the family tree... and in Yankee history. In short, you've fooled no one. You're awful.

Gary Sanchez should never play the field! I don't care how much money we're paying him. He has no grit. He can't catch, he can't block and he cannot call a game. 

You've managed to strip Andrew Heaney of any confidence he's ever had on the mound because you're trowing him into roles he's not accustomed to and not prepared for. If you want quality, you need to build this dude up because you've happened to ruin everyone else out there in the pen.

You can't rest guys like DJ LeMahieu and play Tyler Wade who's been hanging on to the Yankees for way, WAY too long. He's just not good.

What the hell are you doing?  We're supposed to win games, especially down the stretch, but your moves have jeapordized that.  You can come back at me and say "Hey, what about that 13 game winning streak?" I can say, I only care about the next game, and last time I checked... we're losing alot.

Hey Boone... You need to be gone when the season concludes. You have no command of respect... it's clear these players don't wanna play for you. You don't have that THING.  The thing that players look up to. You're a pal, not a leader and that's a major problem. We were supposed to beat the Mets last night, not look like them.  You are embarassing.

I have to tell you Boone, you're soft. Not only that, you know that you're protected by your friend Brian Cashman, but I have news for you... if this was the 80's, you'd be gone. The Yankees have fired people for less in previous decades. Your problem is you cannot command respect from these players and you continually make the wrong moves.  

Phil Nevin's an Alpha. Phil Nevin knows how to win. If I'm Phil Nevin right now, one of the only truly seasoned coaches on your staff, I'm finding a way to off you. The dude has the heart of a lion and wants to win! But he's looking around and he recognized that he's the most qualified on your inexperienced staff... and that includes you. I mean think about this... you have no true veteran except Nevin and Harkey and if you think for a second that these guys and you can come up with a solid, strong winning strategy, you are sadly mistaken.  

Hitting is a major problem these days for the Yankees and all Marcus Thames ever did was hit a few dramatic home runs for us when he was in pinstripes.

P.J. Pilittere? He's a career minor league player. What the hell does he know? Reggie Willits played as a part time player for the Angels for 6 years and he's a first base coach. Why? He's got some experience, find a better role.And this about Tanner Swanson's job. He's quality control and catching coordinator. QUALITY CONTROL!!! 

Did anyone see Gary Sanchez last night? There was ZERO quality and no control. WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR STAFF DOING TO HELP BETTER THIS TEAM? Did you surround yourself with young bucks so you could look like a prophet or something? Cause you're failing.

My advice? Take a walk. Leave... don't do this gig anymore, you're bad at it. 

We need a manager who's more in tune with playing the best and winning than worrying about feelings and giving bad players chances.  If I see Joey Gallo in that damn lineup again I'm going to scream. He cannot hit a god damn thing. I said it before we got him, I'll say it again... he's not a hitter. He's what I call ONE FOR 15. That one he might hit a homer... or not, but that's about it. If he didn't play good defense he'd be in AAA. 

Work harder or leave, Boone. 

Be dedicated to winning and stop making stupid decisions and setting this team up for failure. You're the worst manager I have ever seen. Even if we make the playoffs, we have no drive to get to the finish. Hey... maybe that's a good thing... maybe then they'll fire you and that incredible inexperienced staff. 

My god!

THE GARDNER MACHINE JUST KEEPS ON GRINDING!

When Brett Gardner plays the game, he truly plays the game!

And that means no BS with the stupid bat at the roof of the dugout. Instead, keep grinding my brother, you're doing amazing and this is leadership!

Last night yet another win from the New York Yankees! A 5-4 win against the Mariners.  Nice work. Gleyber Torres hit his 33rd home run which is great, but let's focus on a great achievement from Gardy last night for a moment.

It comes from the YES research manager:

Brett Gardner with his 68th career triple which passes Red Rolfe for sole possession of 12th in franchise history.

— Jeff Quagliata (@yestoresearch) August 27, 2019

Nice work! What's even funnier is that after that triple, Phil Nevin tried to do that stupid bat bang thing... and Gardy didn't want any part of it.

Nevin wants to join the Gardy bang gang and Gardy denies him Lol pic.twitter.com/1pxUfuilIN

— Evan Daniel (@mrevandaniel) August 27, 2019

That made me laugh. By the way, stop with the phrase "bang gang". It's not flattering for this Yankees team.

Anyway, congrats on another Yankee win, but nice work Gardy! Keep grinding!

PASSIONLESS LOSERS!

Photo: Getty Images

There was a torrential downpour at the game and I am not just talking about the rain. It was a downpour of disappoint as the Yankees chances of catching up to the Red Sox are washing away. It's doom and gloom. The Yankees are getting ready for Boston at the worst possible time.

Has this teams ability to win a baseball game been washed away? I know we are better than this! What happened to that team we had in June? Those guys were kicking ass! I don't care that the Yankees are 30 games above .500! That's not a silver lining right now. It's freaking August! HELLO....can any of you guys hear me?!

Phil Nevin calling the squad out for this nonsense! pic.twitter.com/j3DVRNq3Nw

— 28 in 2018 (@YANKEESNATlON) August 1, 2018

I know third base coach Phil Nevin can. He may be the only one who has a fire still burning inside of him. As I was screaming in frustration I could SEE his emotion and frustration in the dugout. I wish I could've been a fly on the dugout wall as YES network had a brief clip of Phil Nevin visibly upset based on his body language HERE. At least he is SAYING something!

How I miss the days of Paul O'Neill....what a warrior. Obviously right now I am missing that real veteran presence. There is no one to give this team the kick in the ass like we had back in the day. Nobody is stepping up, at least that is how I feel.

Photo: Getty Images

And why isn't our skipper Aaron Boone speaking up? Nevin is in the dugout showing some emotion. I would give Boone some credit and say maybe he is saving that for behind closed doors but right now I just do not believe it! Joe Girardi would have a lot to say right now. So would Jorge Posada! This is killing me inside. I want to give Boone the benefit of the doubt but based on his lackluster talk in front of the media he was just too cool, calm and collected for me.

So who is going to give this team the ass kicking it needs? Somebody better do it before the Yankees see the Red Sox because they are happily capable of doing it. The Yankees did everything wrong today.

Photo: Getty Images

Sonny Gray is a failure and a drain to this team. He didn't even last three innings and gave up seven runs....all EARNED! Give him a mop and some laundry detergent and rename him the Equipment Manager for all I care. He is a disease to this team. It's unfair that Lance Lynn had to come in and stop the bleeding and he still gets to keep his job! WHY?!

Seriously, I want to know why. But Boone only left an open door option to letting Lynn replace Gray permanently. He said these are "all things we’ve got to evaluate and consider" and "we’re not gonna be emotional about this right now. It's not my decision to make" read more HERE.

I disagree. It is emotional now. Clearly, otherwise Nevin wouldn't have acted...HUMAN and I guarantee you if the BOSS were alive right now there would be plenty of emotion to go around. The moves that Brian Cashman just made to improve this team mean nothing if we don't play to our strengths....a.k.a stop relying on Gray. It's insanity.

Photo: Getty Images

I know the game wasn't all Gray's fault. Gleyber Torres had a bad game. We know it and so does he, "I know I missed a couple plays out at second base. Really feel no good with that," he said HERE. In case you missed it Baltimore had a five-run second inning. The Yankees anticipated a bunt from Caleb Joseph who of course bunted. Third baseman Miguel Andujar fielded the ball but Torres was as slow as a snail getting over to cover first. Joseph had an infield hit and left the bases loaded. Boone of course defended that and was rather laid back about the situation.

We didn't look like major leaguers today. We should be eating teams like the Orioles and Royals for lunch! There is no reason to be 6-4 in our last 10 games. Someone better crack the whip and get these guys thinking and playing like winning ballplayers.

We are headed into the lions den 5 1/2 games out....if we don't pull our heads out of our asses the Red Sox will embarrass us and it will be 9 1/2. Someone better get through to these guys, PRONTO!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

BRAWL SUSPENSIONS HANDED OUT & A GREAT PLAY BY PLAY

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Quick note. Both Tyler Austin and Joe Kelly had suspensions handed down to them for their glorious brawl the other night.  This is really not a detailed post... I just wanted to show more pictures and the video again.

The Boston Globe writes:

Photo: Getty Images

"Sox pitcher Joe Kelly was suspended for six games by MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally hitting Tyler Austin in the seventh inning. Austin was suspended five games and fined for charging the mound and fighting. Both players appealed their suspensions and will be available to play until their cases are heard.

Photo: USA Today

MLB also fined Sox manager Alex Cora and Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin.

Four players on the disabled list who went onto the field — Xander Bogaerts, Marco Hernandez and Dustin Pedroia of the Sox and Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia — also were fined."

By the way, love this play by play:

Tyler Austin & Joe Kelly, A Breakdown pic.twitter.com/T02AszLEqF

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) April 12, 2018

And I loved and appreciated that injured teammates ran out too. Shows unity.

Anyway... a news update and there you have it!