For what Aaron Boone has been blasted for over the past month is ironically what his club values the most. The skipper has long been criticized for his nonchalant attitude, but GM Brian Cashman perceives it as “even-keeled.” In fact, Boone is admired in the clubhouse, especially by captain Aaron Judge, for his calm demeanor. But the Yankees entered Friday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals tied for the third-worst record across the league since the deadline. Isn’t it an underachievement for a club whose manager believes it is his most talented roster?
Well, we all have witnessed Aaron Boone’s approach towards accountability. Be it Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s league-wide baserunning blunder in Miami or Austin Wells forgetting the number of outs in the ninth inning of a tie game—Boone would never bench his players, and his refusal to do so has drawn an image of him being “too lenient.” Cashman, meanwhile, admires Boone for all his doings this season. And recently, Cashman made one of the strangest comparisons while defending Boone.
Image: MLB.com
“I’m not an advocate of becoming Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage or John Cena from WWE and providing a power drive to finish off the victim—the victim being someone struggling at the plate, struggling defensively, or struggling on the mound,” he mentioned.
Further, Cashman added, “And now you’re hearing it externally, and their family and friends are all hearing it. Then internally, now, they’re getting piled on also. In many cases, you’ve got to understand what the atmosphere is like.” Cashman believes that New York, the Mecca of baseball, is already a tough market.
It’s where the players are already criticized constantly. Plus, Aaron Boone’s people skills are largely why the Yankees signed him to a two-year contract extension back in February. Cashman, in fact, admires Boone for the way he navigates pre- and post-game media appearances.
Ironically, it’s the same thing he’s called out for by fans. As per Cashman, it takes a different kind of talent to walk through the media availabilities without losing your cool. He believes Aaron Boone is invested in the Yankees roster, and he’s doing the best he can. For now, the Yankees may have sighed in relief after a much-needed win.
Yankees find their spark in St. Louis to stay afloat in tight division race
The Yankees finally notched a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opening game of the three-game series. It did steady their tally in the standings, but at the same time, it also helped the Yankees find the lost spark.
It was Jazz Chisholm Jr. who delivered the biggest swing of the evening. He crushed a two-run homer with a bat looking like a strawberry ice cream cone for the Players’ weekend. He was praised for his at-bats by manager Aaron Boone for staying locked in throughout the night.
Aaron Judge, along with Jasson Dominguez, also chipped in RBIs to back Luis Gil. Notably, Gil impressed with 5 1/2 stunning innings in only his third start of the season.
For the record, the Yankees now have 1 1/2 games of breathing room in the AL Wild Card race. Thanks to the Cleveland Guardians, who dropped a 2-0 game against the Atlanta Braves. It at least keeps the Yankees in position to defend their 41st pennant. However, it’s far from the team’s pre- and early-season expectations.
Before the game against the Cardinals, Yankees GM Brian Cashman opened up about expecting a tightly contested season, and it’s true. The Yankees’ postseason hopes may not be as secure as they’ve been in previous years. Still, Friday’s win did bring some steadiness for them.
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