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Aaron Boone

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This article is about the baseball manager and former player. For the Arena football player, seeAaron Boone (American football).

Aaron Boone
Boone with the New York Yankees in 2018
New York Yankees – No. 17
Third baseman/Manager
Born:(1973-03-09)March 9, 1973(age 51)
La Mesa, California,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
June 20, 1997, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 2009, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Batting average.263
Home runs126
Runs batted in555
Managerial record603–429
Winning %.584
Teams
As player

As manager

Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men'sbaseball
RepresentingUnited States
World Junior Baseball Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1991Brandon Team

Aaron John Boone(born March 9, 1973) is an American baseballmanagerand formerinfielderwho is the manager of theNew York YankeesinMajor League Baseball(MLB). He previously played in MLB for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2009. As a player, Boone is most recognized for his 2003 campaign with the Yankees, during which he hit the winningwalk-off home runof the2003 American League Championship Series.

Following the conclusion of his playing career, Boone was an analyst forESPN'sSunday Night BaseballandBaseball Tonightfrom 2010 to 2017. He began serving as the Yankees' manager in 2018, leading the team to two 100-win records during his first two seasons and playoff appearances in the first five.

Early life

[edit]

Boone attendedVilla Park High SchoolinVilla Park, California.Hebatted.423 with 22stolen basesfor the school's baseball team in his senior year, and was named theCentury League's co-player of the year. TheCalifornia Angelsselected Boone on the third day of the1991 MLB draft,but he had no intention to sign a professional contract.[1]

College career

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He attended theUniversity of Southern California(USC) and playedcollege baseballfor theUSC Trojans.In 1993, he playedcollegiate summer baseballfor theOrleans Cardinalsof theCape Cod Baseball League,where he was named a league all-star and helped lead Orleans to the leaguechampionship.[2][3][4]

Professional career

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Cincinnati Reds (1997–2003)

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TheCincinnati Redsselected Boone in the third round of the1994 MLB draft.[5]Boone made his MLB debut in June 1997,[6]and was ejected from the game after being called out sliding into home.[7][8]On the last day of the 1998 season, the Reds started the only MLBinfieldcomposed of two sets of brothers: first basemanStephen Larkin,second basemanBret Boone,shortstopBarry Larkin,and third baseman Aaron Boone.[9][10]

On September 22, 2002, Boone hit the last home run inRiverfront Stadiumin the eighth inning of the Reds' 4–3 loss to thePhiladelphia Phillies,a solo home run off relieverDan Plesac.[11]Boone hit a career-high 26 home runs in 2002, playing in all 162 games. The Reds named Boone their team'smost valuable player.He appeared in the2003 MLB All-Star Game.[12]

New York Yankees (2003)

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The New York Yankees acquired Boone from the Reds forBrandon Claussen,Charlie Manning,and cash on July 31, 2003.[13]In 54 games after the trade, he hit.254 with a.720 OPS, six home runs and 31 RBIs.[14]

During Game 7 of the2003 American League Championship Series(ALCS), Boone hit awalk-off home runin the 11th inning, offTim Wakefield,which gave theYankeesa 6–5 victory over theBoston Red Sox,thus prolonging theCurse of the Bambino.TheNew York Daily Newsdubbed the play the "Curse of the Boonebino".[15]This home run was rated the ninth-best home run of all time onBaseball Tonight.Afterward, some Red Sox fans called Boone "Aaron Fucking Boone," much as they calledBucky Dent"Bucky Fucking Dent."[16]

In January 2004, Boone tore theanterior cruciate ligamentin his left knee during a pick-up basketball game. The game violated the standard MLB player contract, which forbids taking part in off-season basketball, skiing, and surfing. The Yankees immediately hinted that they would terminate his contract.[17][18][16] Soon after trading forAlex Rodriguezto play third base, the Yankees released Boone on February 27, 2004.[14]

Cleveland Indians (2005–2006)

[edit]

Boone signed a two-year contract with theCleveland Indiansin June 2004. He earned $600,000 for 2004, $3 million for the 2005 season, and a club option for the 2006 season worth $4.5 million.[19]After missing the entire 2004 season, Boone played 154 games in 2005. He batted.243 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.[20]The Indians exercised an option on Boone's contract for the 2006 season.[21]In his second season with Cleveland, he batted.251 with seven home runs.[22]

Florida Marlins (2007)

[edit]
Boone with the Marlins in 2007

On December 29, 2006, Boone signed a one-year contract with theFlorida Marlinsworth $925,000.[22][23]He batted.286 in 69 games for the Marlins in 2007.[24]

Washington Nationals (2008)

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On December 6, 2007, Boone signed a one-year, $1,000,000 contract with the Washington Nationals.[25]In 104 games, Boone hit.241 with 6 home runs and 28 RBIs in 2008.

Houston Astros (2009)

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On December 18, 2008, Boone signed a one-year $750,000, plus incentives, deal with the Houston Astros.[26]He played in only 10 games in 2009, reaching base only once—on ahit by pitch—in 14 plate appearances.

In March 2009, Boone underwentopen-heart surgeryto replace abicuspid aortic valve,a condition that he has been aware of since childhood, but which routine tests indicated had recently worsened. Boone stated that doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovered, but he was not sure if he would choose to do so.[27][28][29]Boone returned to baseball on August 10, when he began his rehabilitation with theCorpus Christi Hooks,the Astros' Double-A minor league affiliate. He played five innings and was hitless in two plate appearances. Boone stated after the game that his goal was to return to the major leagues by September 1, the date that major league rosters expand.[30]Boone was activated on September 1, and added to the Astros' expanded roster.[31]On September 2, Boone made his season debut, playing at first base and going 0 for 3.[32]On September 16, Boone stated that he was leaning towards retirement, and on October 4, he played his last game.

Broadcasting career

[edit]

Boone served as a guest analyst for theMLB Networkcoverage of the2009 ALCSbetween theNew York YankeesandLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

On February 23, 2010, Boone announced his retirement and that he would become an analyst forESPN.[33]Boone appeared onMonday Night Baseballand forBaseball Tonight's pregame show on Sunday night.[34]Boone called the2014and2015 World SeriesforESPN Radiowithplay-by-play announcerDan Shulman.[35]Jessica Mendozaand he became color commentators onSunday Night Baseballwith Shulman in 2016.[34]Boone and Shulman continued to call World Series games for ESPN Radio through 2017.[36]

Managerial career

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Boone in June 2018

2018 season

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After the2017 season,the Yankees decided not to retainJoe Girardias theirmanager;they hired Boone to succeed him on December 4, 2017.[37][38][39]The Yankees started the2018 seasonwith a 6–1 win against theToronto Blue Jayson March 29, 2018.[40]On September 2, 2018, Boone was suspended for one game for making illegal contact with an umpire.[41]He finished his first season with a 100–62 record,[42]good for second in the American League East,[42]and led the Yankees to the wild card game against theOakland Athletics,despite losing star outfielder and team leaderAaron Judgefor two months with a wrist injury. On October 3, 2018, the Yankees defeated the Athletics 7–2 to advance to theAmerican League Division Series,[43]giving Boone his first postseason win as a manager. The Boston Red Sox eliminated the New York Yankees three–games–to–one in theAmerican League Division Seriesen routeto aWorld Seriesvictory.

2019 season

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The Yankees started the2019 seasonwith a 7–2 win against theBaltimore Orioleson March 28, 2019. On September 19, after winning against theLos Angeles Angels9–1, the Yankees clinched the American League East, becoming AL East Division Champions for the first time since 2012 and also earning their 100th win. Boone became the first manager in MLB history to have 100 or more wins in each of his first two seasons. The Yankees went on to lose to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.

Following the 2019 season, Boone was named a finalist for American LeagueManager of the Year award.He finished runner-up toMinnesota Twinsmanager,Rocco Baldelli.

2020 season

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Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the Yankees and the other 29 Major League Baseball teams only played a 60-game regular season. The Yankees started off the shortened season with a hot 16–6 start, but then lost 15 of their next 20 games, evening their record at 21–21. The Yankees then won 10 straight to finish the season second in their division with a 33–27 record, seven games behind the division-championTampa Bay Rays,who they lost eight of 10 games to in the regular season, in the AL East, but good enough for the fifth seed in the American League due to MLB's postseason expansion for the season. The Yankees swept theCleveland Indiansin a best-of-three wild card series to advance to the ALDS against theTampa Bay Rays,but their struggles against the Rays continued, as they were eliminated in five games.

2021 season

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During the 2021 season, the Yankees had what was called one of the "streakiest [teams] in recent memory.[44]Through July 4, the team struggled to a 41–41 record with half of the season left to play, then went on a 51–29 run to end the season at 92–70. Between August 14 and 28, the Yankees won 13 consecutive games, tied for fifth-longest in franchise history.[45]Following the winning streak, the team stumbled, going 3–12 between August 28 and September 12,[46]and finished tied for second in the American League East behind the Tampa Bay Rays, but lost thewild card gameto the Boston Red Sox 6–2.[47]

Following the season, Boone signed a three-year contract with the Yankees with a club option for 2025.[48]

2022 season

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In 2022, he was ejected nine times, four times more than any other MLB manager.[49]The Yankees were 64–28 in the first half of the season by the All-Star Game and potentially headed to 100 wins. They proceeded to win 35 of their next 70 games to finish with 99 wins and an AL East title. They earned home-field advantage in Games 1, 2, and 5 of the ALDS. They beat theCleveland Guardiansin five games, but got swept by the Houston Astros in the ALCS, marking Boone's fifth-straight playoff exit.

2023 season

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MLB suspended Boone for one game on May 26, 2023, for his conduct towards umpires after his fourth ejection of the season, and second in four days, the prior day.[50]As of June 9, Boone has the third-highest ejection rate in MLB history among managers, behind onlyPaul RichardsandFrankie Frisch,and ahead ofEarl Weaver,Bobby Cox,andRon Gardenhire,managers who were all known for their proclivity for getting ejected.[51]The team was eliminated from playoff contention for the first time under his management on September 24.[52]

2024 season

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Managerial record

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As of September 29, 2024
Team Year Regular season Postseason
Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
NYY 2018 162 100 62 .617 2nd in AL East 2 3 .400 LostALDS(BOS)
NYY 2019 162 103 59 .636 1st in AL East 5 4 .556 LostALCS(HOU)
NYY 2020 60 33 27 .550 2nd in AL East 4 3 .571 LostALDS(TB)
NYY 2021 162 92 70 .568 3rd in AL East 0 1 .000 LostALWC(BOS)
NYY 2022 162 99 63 .611 1st in AL East 3 6 .333 LostALCS(HOU)
NYY 2023 162 82 80 .506 4th in AL East – – – –
NYY 2024 162 94 68 .580 1st in AL East 3 1 .750
Total 1,032 603 429 .584 17 18 .486

Personal life

[edit]

Boone is the son of former catcher and managerBob Boone,the brother of All Star and four-time Gold Glove winnerBret Boone,the brother of former Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer Matt Boone, and the grandson of former major leaguerRay Boone.As children, Aaron and Bret spent time in thePhilliesclubhouse with fellow sons of other major league players, includingPete Rose Jr.[53]Boone is a descendant of pioneerDaniel Boone.[54]

Boone's wife,Laura Cover,was aPlayboyPlaymate(Miss October 1998). Boone lived inScottsdale, Arizonauntil becoming Yankees manager, when he moved toGreenwich, Connecticut.[55][56][57]Boone and Cover have four children - two biological children and two adopted.[58]

Boone, who had open-heart surgery in 2009, had surgery to implant a pacemaker in March 2021.[59]Boone was quoted as feeling "awesome" after being on the bench for two weeks following the procedure.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^Foster, Chris (June 6, 1991)."Boone's Son Aaron Is Latest to Be Drafted by the Angels: Baseball: Villa Park shortstop happy to be selected, but he intends to honor his commitment to play at USC".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedAugust 22,2024.
  2. ^"Modern Era | Orleans Firebirds".orleansfirebirds.pointstreaksites.Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2019.RetrievedApril 12,2018.
  3. ^"Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League"(PDF).capecodbaseball.org.RetrievedSeptember 25,2019.
  4. ^"Cape League Notes".The Cape Codder.Orleans, MA. July 20, 1993. p. 10.
  5. ^"3rd Round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft".Baseball-Reference. January 1, 1970.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  6. ^"When the Reds called Aaron Boone up for his MLB debut, they sent down his brother Bret".MLB.June 20, 2015.
  7. ^"Aaron Boone Has No Coaching Experience? Don't Tell That to His Flag Football Team".The New York Times.March 29, 2018.RetrievedApril 22,2018.
  8. ^Boone thrown out, ejected in debutonYouTube
  9. ^"Games That Matter | By Barry Larkin".Theplayerstribune. October 1, 2015.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  10. ^"Aaron Boone puts his USC degree, and his heart, to new work for ESPN | Farther Off the Wall".Insidesocal. February 23, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  11. ^"Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds Box Score, September 22, 2002".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedMay 19,2021.
  12. ^"Day 63: Aaron Boone, 2003 Reds' All-Star".Cincinnati. May 12, 2015.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  13. ^"Yankees give up Claussen, cash for third baseman".ESPN.July 31, 2003.
  14. ^ab"With release, Boone is a free agent".Espn.February 26, 2004.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  15. ^McCarron, Anthony (October 17, 2003). "It's the Curse of the Boonebino Shot in 11th Makes History of Sox".New York Daily News.p. 78.
  16. ^abVaccaro, Mike(2005).Emperors and Idiots: The Hundred Year Rivalry Between the Yankees and Red Sox, From the Very Beginning to the End of the Curse.New York: Doubleday.ISBN0-385-51354-2.
  17. ^"Hurt playing hoops, Boone might miss season".Espn.January 28, 2004.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  18. ^Reilly, Rick."A Boone to Baseball".Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.
  19. ^"Indians, Boone agree on two-year contract – Sports – The Daily Record – Wooster, OH".The Daily Record.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  20. ^Kevin Yanik (January 2, 2017)."Batting Around with Aaron Boone".Cleveland.indians.mlb. Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  21. ^MLB (June 26, 2004)."Indians and Boone re-structure 2006 contract; Option for next year exercised".Cleveland.indians.mlb. Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  22. ^ab"Marlins sign veteran third baseman Aaron Boone".Espn.December 29, 2006.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  23. ^"Marlins sign infielder Aaron Boone".MLB(Press release). December 29, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
  24. ^"Marlins park top priority - South Florida Sun-Sentinel".October 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  25. ^"Nats add Boone, avoid arbitration with Pena, Langerhans".ESPN.December 6, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
  26. ^"Astros sign Boone to one-year deal".MLB(Press release). December 18, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon February 25, 2012.RetrievedDecember 18,2008.
  27. ^"Boone to Have Heart Surgery".Sports Illustrated.March 18, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2011.
  28. ^"Aaron Boone headed for open-heart surgery".Cleveland Plain Dealer.March 19, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  29. ^"Boone Undergoes Surgery".ESPN.March 26, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on March 30, 2009.RetrievedMarch 29,2009.
  30. ^Torenli, John (August 10, 2009)."Astros' Boone returns to diamond".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on November 3, 2012.RetrievedAugust 11,2009.
  31. ^"Astros activate Boone 5 months after heart surgery".Yahoo! Sports.September 1, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on May 30, 2014.
  32. ^"Lee's two-run homer powers Lilly, Cubs past Astros".ESPN.September 2, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon November 3, 2012.
  33. ^"Aaron Boone joins ESPN as analyst".ESPN.February 23, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 23,2010.
  34. ^abCafardo, Ben (January 13, 2016)."ESPN Names New Sunday Night Baseball Analysts: Jessica Mendoza & Aaron Boone".ESPN MediaZone.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  35. ^"Listen to the World Series on 97.3 ESPN".973espn. October 2014.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  36. ^Skarka, Michael (October 5, 2017)."ESPN Radio to Broadcast Every Pitch of the 2017 MLB Postseason".ESPN MediaZone.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  37. ^"Yankees Officially Announce Hiring Of Aaron Boone As Manager".December 4, 2017.
  38. ^"Aaron Boone tabbed to be new manager for Yankees".MLB. Archived fromthe originalon December 3, 2017.RetrievedDecember 4,2017.
  39. ^"Mark Teixeira says Aaron Boone the right guy to manage Yankees young stars".NY Daily News. December 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 2,2017.
  40. ^Longley, Rob (March 29, 2018)."Stanton, Yankees crush Blue Jays in opening-day drubbing".Toronto Sun.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
  41. ^"Aaron Boone suspended one game for bumping umpire".MLB.RetrievedSeptember 2,2018.
  42. ^ab"Aaron Boone".Baseball Reference.Sports Reference LLC.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
  43. ^"New York Yankees rout A's to set up ALDS showdown with Boston Red Sox".The Guardian.October 4, 2018.RetrievedOctober 4,2018.
  44. ^Brody, Peter (October 19, 2021)."The five worst moments of the 2021 Yankees' season".Pinstripealley.Vox Media, LLC.RetrievedOctober 19,2021.
  45. ^Anderson, R. J. (August 28, 2021)."Yankees winning streak ends: New York loses to Athletics, snapping franchise's fifth longest winning streak".cbssports.RetrievedOctober 19,2021.
  46. ^"2021 New York Yankees Schedule".Baseball-Reference.Sports-Reference, LLC.RetrievedOctober 19,2021.
  47. ^Janes, Chelsea; Dougherty, Jesse."Red Sox, better when it mattered most, top Yankees in AL wild-card showdown".The Washington Post.RetrievedOctober 19,2021.
  48. ^"Aaron Boone to return as manager of New York Yankees".Espn.ESPN, Inc. October 19, 2021.RetrievedOctober 19,2021.
  49. ^"2022 Major League Baseball Managers".Baseball-Reference.
  50. ^Lee, Joon (May 26, 2023)."Yankees' Aaron Boone suspended 1 game after run of ejections".ESPN.
  51. ^Lee, Joon (June 9, 2023)."The Aaron Boone Show? Manager's rows with umps an 'art form'".ESPN.RetrievedJune 11,2023.
  52. ^"Yanks miss playoffs: A lot 'that needs to be fixed'".September 24, 2023.
  53. ^Grimsley, Will (March 8, 1979)."Phillies 'Kiddie Korps' Enjoys Spring Romps".Spokane Daily Chronicle.RetrievedOctober 14,2009.[permanent dead link]
  54. ^"Aaron Boone: Him and brother Brett are the sixth generation grandsons on the historical pioneer. Everything to know about the new Yankees manager".nydailynews.New York Daily News. December 2, 2017.RetrievedOctober 21,2021.
  55. ^"Playmate News".Playboy.55.Playboy:143–144. November 2008.
  56. ^Jason McIntyre."Players and their favorite Playmates".ESPN.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2012.
  57. ^Klapisch, Bob (July 27, 2018)."Meet the Zen Aaron Boone you didn't know".New York Post.RetrievedMarch 9,2023.
  58. ^Bucher, Chris (December 2, 2017)."Laura Cover, Aaron Boone's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know".Heavy.RetrievedDecember 5,2017.
  59. ^Perry, Dayn (March 3, 2021)."Yankees manager Aaron Boone takes medical leave of absence to undergo heart procedure".CBS Sports.
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