Boone savors 1st talk to team

TAMPA—Aaron Boone’s initial message to the Yankees was very clear.

“I just wanted to stress the importance of spring training. I believe we have a very good team, a team with a lot of potential but understanding that’s what it is right now,’’ the first-year manager said of his speech to the players in front of the Yankees’ first full-squad workout Monday. “Spring training is a time when we are trying to get individuals ready, but also a time where we will grind away on the little things to add to the margins.’’

This will include more than hitting home runs, which many believe will be the Yankees’ calling card this season.

“We want to go from a good team to a championship-caliber team, and I think you do that by doing the little things ,’’ Boone said.

Boone impressed Giancarlo Stanton with his directness.

“It was awesome. He got straight to it, to the point of what we exactly needed to do,’’ Stanton said. “The focus in spring and t he focus leading up to the year and it’s going to be a good one.’’

Because Boone will never be a first-time manager again, he cherished talking to his club.

“It meant a lot to me. I would say it was special to me to stand up in front of guys who I already have a lot of respect for and I feel like it was really important,” Boone said. “Even though I addressed the pitchers and catchers, not as in depth as I did today, but it felt important to get this first step and that kind of connection and kind of launch spring training. It was something I won’t forget. It was one of the [most fun] things I got to do in the job so far.’’