SHOOT FOR THE BOONE!
Aaron embraces hype, expects Yanks to be great
On his first official day of spring training, new Yankees manager Aaron Boone made it clear he’s not hiding from the high expectations fans have for his team. “We are not going to run from that,” he said. “We are going to embrace that and expect to be great.”
TAMPA — “World Series title or bust” isn’t a new Yankees mantra. Yet for the first time in several years, it has a louder heartbeat.
Having removed 14 pounds off his 6-foot-8 frame, Dellin Betances placed some heavy weight on the Yankees’ heads Tuesday morning. Less than two hours later, Aaron Boone did the same.
“If we don’t win [the World Series], it’s not a good year for us,’’ Betances said in the home clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field on the day Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.
Sitting at a table l ater, a day before the Yankees’ f irst workout, Boone didn’t shy away from Betances’ expectations.
“He is right about the World Series. It would be a great year,’’ the Yankees’ f irst-year manager, said. “We understand the expectations, and one of the things that is exciting for me is to hear some of those comments, to be around these guys. Last year was great and a lot of these guys came of age and viewed it as a very successful season, but what stands out right now is that each guy I have spoken to, the hunger is there and there is no satisfaction.”
Having taken over a team that was one game s hort of re a c hing the World Series and added NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton, the pressure is heavy on Boone and a rebuilt coaching staff to deliver the organization’s 28th World Series title and first since 2009.
“One of my messages to our team is to embrace that expectation and to expect to go out there and be great,’’ said Boone, who has never managed or coached at any level and is coming out of the ESPN booth to run the game for a team that wi l l be scrutinized very closely by a passionate fan base, the media and the front off ice. “We’re not going to run from that, we’re going to embrace that. We’re going to expect to be great.’’
A lot of pieces are in place to make the Yankees great, and there could be more coming if the asking prices of potential trade partners and free agents plummet to a level which with the Yankees are comfortable.
Even had they not acquired Stanton from the Marlins, the Yankees might have been the AL East favorite based on having Gary Sanchez, a healthy Greg Bird and Aaron Judge in the middle of the order. Now Stanton is in a mix that also includes Di di Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks and should be the deepest lineup in the American League.
The bull penis talented, and Boone believes there is depth in the rotation to cover any injury.
Boone said he thinks about what the lineup will look like, but if neophytes Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade and Miguel Andujar are in the mix at second and third, the manager will have to adjust.
“I need to see things from the standpoint, if younger guys are part of the mix from the start,’’ Boone said. “I think the lineup will play itself out and hopefully we will get these guys comfortable that they are a little bit flexible depending on if we are facing a righty or a lefty.’’
Boone can lead off Gardner against right-handers and then enter a manager’s dream of having Judge, Bird and Stanton in the next three spots. Whom Boone will hit first in the games Gardner sits against lefties is a wide-open question.
One option could be Torres, should the right-handed hitter be the starter at second or third base.
“Absolutely, Wade, Torres and Andujar are knocking on the door tobe big-league ball players ,’’ Boone said when asked if starting rookies at second and third was feasible. “There is real possibility it could happen.”
George Steinbrenner believed Yankees seasons were defined by whether or not a World Series banner was raised. In his understated manner, Derek Jeter believed the same thing. Joe Girardi wore No. 28, signifying the Yankees’ chase for the next World Series title.
Yet, with Judge and Stanton anchoring a solid lineup, a deep bullpen and a rotation that could receive a boost before the games start to count, the expectations are coming not only from the outside; they are alive inside the uniforms as well.