Boone gets 3-year deal from Yanks
It’s official: Aaron Boone is the 33rd manager in Yankee history, as first reported by the Daily News on Friday.
Boone, who will be introduced on Wednesday, signed a three-year contract through the 2020 season with a team option for 2021.
“I firmly believe that Aaron possesses the attributes needed to follow in the tradition of great Yankees managers,” Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. “From all accounts, he is a polished communicator who possesses the ability to cultivate and grow relationships. Aaron has also spent a lifetime immersed in baseball, affording him a unique and intimate understanding of what fosters team success.
“Aaron’s name is already etched into Yankees history, and my family and I are excited to welcome him back to this franchise. This opportunity will allow him to continue to make a positive impact on this organization in distinctly new and meaningful ways.”
The 44-year-old — whose walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS sent the Yankees to World Series — played 12 major league seasons, hitting .263 with 519 runs, 216 doubles, 126 home runs, 555 runs batted in and 107 stolen bases in 1,152 games. In addition to the Bombers, he was an infielder with the Reds (1997-2003), Indians (2005-06), Marlins (2007), Nationals (2008) and Astros (2009).
“Words cannot express how humbled I am to wear the pinstripes again as the manager of the Yankees,” Boone said. “I want to thank the Steinbrenner family and Brian Cashman for entrusting me with this tremendous honor and responsibility. I believe we are entering into a special time in New York Yankees history, and I am so excited to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get to work — and that work starts now.”
GM Brian Cashman interviewed six candidates — including Carlos Beltran, Hensley Meulens, Rob Thomson, Chris Woodward and Eric Wedge — before focusing on Boone.
“Over the past several weeks, our baseball operations department sat down with a number of managerial candidates, all of whom brought a diverse array of baseball knowledge and experience,” Cashman said. “Each interview led to insightful and thoughtful discussions, and I am grateful to the candidates for their preparation, interest and commitment to our extensive interview process.
“When we had the opportunity to speak with Aaron and share concepts and ideas, he was able to showcase a variety of traits that we believe will strongly benefit this franchise as we move forward, including an astute mind for the game and a progressive approach to evolving strategies.
“We also believe Aaron’s interpersonal skills and baseball pedigree will allow him to blend well with the systems we have in place, our baseball operations staff and the 25-man roster. On a personal level, I look forward to collaborating with him over the coming years and offering him the support and resources needed to get the most out of our players.”
Boone will meet the media at noon Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
HELLO LARRY: Pitching coach Larry Rothschild will return as part of Boone’s staff, the team announced. Rothschild has been instrumental in the development of the pitchitng staff, which held opponents to AL-low .228 batting average last season.