The New York Yankees made the hiring of Aaron Boone as manager official on Monday afternoon. Boone was selected over fellow finalist and San Francisco Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens. Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward was among the candidates to interview.
“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.”
Boone, whose contract runs through the 2020 season and includes a club option for 2021, is the 33rd manager in Yankees franchise history, and the 18th to have played for the club. Per Elias Sports Bureau, he and his father Bob are the third father-son duo to be MLB managers.
“I firmly believe that Aaron possesses the attributes needed to follow in the tradition of great Yankees managers,” Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said.
“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.”
Boone cemented himself in Yankees lore by delivering a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series.
Boone spent time with Cincinnati Reds (1997-2003), Yankees (2003), Cleveland Indians (2005-06), Florida Marlins (2007), Washington Nationals (2008) and Houston Astros (2009) during his 12-year career. He attended the University of Southern California.
Following his retirement, Boone spent eight years as a broadcaster for ESPN. He contributed as a studio analyst on Baseball Tonight from 2010-14 before serving as a color analyst on game broadcasts in 2015 and on Sunday Night Baseball telecasts for the 2016-17 seasons.
Boone replaces Joe Girardi, who went 910-710 over 10 seasons at the helm and guided the Yankees to a World Series win in 2009. Girardi’s club exceeded expectations this season as they pushed the eventual champion Houston Astros to seven games in the ALCS.
