Properly, that is both going to make you double down no matter residual anger it's possible you'll harbor towards the supervisor of the Yankees, or it’ll make you're taking a step again and declare: “Good for you, sticking to your weapons.” You'll both shake your head with derision at Aaron Boone and say, “He by no means modifications,” or you'll shake your head in admiration at Aaron Boone and say, “He by no means modifications.”
I requested this of Boone on Sunday, earlier than the Yankees hosted the Purple Sox within the finale of their three-game lid-lifter of a collection at Yankee Stadium:
“Clearly you at all times wish to get off to a fast begin for the season. However once you go searching your division, all of the video games you’ll have in opposition to fairly robust groups, is it particularly crucial to get off to 1 now?”
Thoughts you, on the time the query was requested, the Yankees have been 2-0 and one in every of simply 5 groups within the sport who had but to lose (a quantity that will be sliced to simply two — the Yankees and the Rays — by first pitch). It could’ve been the best factor on the planet for Boone to hop on that idea, communicate eloquently of setting a tone in April he’d like to hold on by way of September, perhaps a couple of bonus platitudes at his discretion.
However Boone didn’t try this.
As a result of Boone wouldn’t try this.
“It’s 162,” he mentioned, with a skinny smile on his face. “Should you’re going to win the AL East, in the event you’re going to be a playoff group, it's worthwhile to consider what you’re doing daily. Whatever the season you’re going to undergo lumps and bumps alongside the way in which so each win is valuable.”
Oh sure. That’s Boone. That’s classic Boone. That’s quintessential Boone. That’s the Boone who by no means will get too excessive and by no means will get too low, who's the house workplace for “even keel,” who generally seems to be like he’d have the ability to discover the intense facet in a road mugging, who will not be a mud kicker or a water-cooler-smasher or an over-turner of the postgame meals unfold.
That's truly imagined to be a superb factor in a supervisor. And it has been a superb factor for Boone, who gained 203 regular-season video games in his first two full years on the job, who has made the playoffs all 4 seasons, who led final yr’s group to the end line regardless of what felt like a season-long scuffle, an endless pile of brush fires.
However there are plenty of Yankees followers for whom Billy Martin will without end be the managerial gold customary — brash, indignant, outspoken. That’s not Boone. That’s by no means going to be Boone. You may search the entire historical past of baseball and never discover two males who're extra completely different in each manner than Aaron Boone and Billy Martin.
“We’ve gotten off to sluggish begins and nonetheless gained 100 video games,” Boone mentioned. “We wish to be constant, or in addition to we will be.”
So no: Boone definitely wasn’t going to be misinterpreted as getting too carried away by a feel-good 2-for-2 begin in opposition to anybody, even when it’s the Yankees’ historic rivals from Boston. The recent-and-cold can destroy baseball groups. Tepid won't be humorous, won't be enjoyable at events, won't make headlines. However tepid works throughout a baseball season. It’s 162.
Boone did permit: “One thing about [a hot start] will be settling for a group and a person, it means that you can get into the circulate of a season with out a lot urgent.”
OK! So a sizzling begin actually does get your blood percolating a bit then …
“If you're anticipating to do particular issues, the nice issues gained’t be swayed by an incredible win or a tricky loss.”
Yep. That’s Boone. That is who he's. Anything can be false, phony, and dangerous appearing. Possibly that’s not your cup of tea, however Boone’s report as a supervisor is 330-218, a .602 profitable share. That’s some tasty tea.
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