Old-Timers weigh in on Aaron Boone and Yankees' challenging situation
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free
Old-Timers' Day on Saturday wasn't the first time this season Aaron Boone and Joe Torre have spoken to one another.
Boone said he's talked often with Torre in recent weeks before the Yankees' 5-4 win over the Astros on Saturday, where No. 6 was in attendance for an Old-Timers' Day that doubled as a 25th anniversary celebration of the 2000 title.
Advertisement
That brought with it natural comparisons between now and the end of the regular season then, when the Yankees struggled to the finish line, going 13-17 in September before putting it together for a third straight championship.
Going into Saturday, the current Yankees had lost six of seven and looked to be in crisis, just a half-game up on the Guardians for the AL's third and final wild-card spot.
'He's kind of hanging on everything with us, so we've had a lot of contact back and forth, text messages, things like that,' Boone said of Torre. '[Yankees PR head Jason] Zillo reminded me this morning of that 2000 team, I think ended up losing 15 out of 18 at some point, won [87] games and then caught fire and went on that run. So we're hoping for that kind of run.'
Advertisement
If the Yankees can't turn it around, Boone — whose approval rating among fans is at a low — could end up taking the fall.
The last week has been particularly bad for the manager, who has faced questions over his continued use of the struggling Devin Williams.
Joe Torre said he is confident Aaron Boone can lead the Yankees to the playoffs one again.
Robert Sabo for New York Post
Torre, for his part, has full faith in Boone, who he said convinced him to don pinstripes again at spring training a couple years ago, leading to his attendance at Old-Timers' Day, which included a one-inning exhibition for the first time since 2019, where Ron Guidry, Roger Clemens, David Cone and Andy Pettitte all pitched.
Advertisement
Notably, Derek Jeter was not in attendance but joined via video message.
'What we went through in 2000 was nerve-wracking 'cause you were running out of games,' Torre said. 'There's plenty of games left [now]. Boonie knows what he has here. He's gonna get a run out of these guys.'
Jorge Posada said he believes the Yankees will make a late run once they get fully healthy.
Jason Szenes / New York Post
Advertisement
That was echoed by Jorge Posada, Boone's teammate with the Yankees in 2003.
'It's not his fault,' Posada said. 'He's got some guys banged up, not at 100 percent. So it's not his fault that some guys are not playing at their potential. …
'It's tough to know what's going on behind closed doors. Obviously, they went through a stretch, lost a lot of key guys. Health really matters. Just got to get everybody together, get whoever's playing in the right [mindset] to win a ballgame. They haven't done that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
35 minutes ago
- New York Post
Astros closer Josh Hader lands on IL in ‘punch to the gut'
The Astros' injury woes got even worse on Tuesday. The franchise placed closer Josh Hader on the 15-day injured list with a left shoulder strain, adding to their long list of sidelined players. Hader, 31, reportedly felt some shoulder discomfort Monday and wasn't available to pitch during their 7-6 win over the Red Sox. Closer Josh Hader delivers a pitch during the ninth inning of a recent Astros' road win over the Yankees. 'He walked in and he was doing his [plyometrics] before doing his throwing program and just did not feel right,' Astros manager Joe Espada said, according to 'We went ahead and got some testing done, and we're waiting on the results and should know something more tomorrow.' On Friday against the Yankees, Hader threw a season-high 36 pitches over two innings, which was the last time he entered a game. Hader warmed up in the bullpen on Sunday but didn't get into the game. 'A punch to the gut,' manager Espada said of the news on Tuesday, according to The Athletic. Hader had been his usual dominant self before the injury this season, logging 28 saves with a 2.05 ERA in 48 games. Espada said he's not ready to name another closer just yet. 'I'm not naming [anyone] for the ninth, not naming [anyone] for the eighth,' he said. Josh Hader celebrates after closing out an Astros' win over the Marlins earlier in the season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Hader is the eighth pitcher to join the Astros' current injured list, which includes starters Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. Position players such as Yordan Alvarez, Jake Meyers and Isaac Paredes are also out with various ailments. The Astros have had some good news when it comes to the health of their starting rotation of late, though, after they welcomed back Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti from the injured list. Heading into Tuesday's play, the Astros are 67-52 and clinging to a one-game lead over the Mariners in the American League West.
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Yankees Ripped For Keeping Aaron Boone Over 3-Time Manager Of The Year
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The New York Yankees have had very public struggles recently, and seemingly everyone is weighing in on Aaron Boone's job status as a result. Boone has seen plenty of ups and downs in his eight years at the helm of the Yankees, and ultimately, the fact that the team hasn't won it all opens him up to criticism whenever things are going south. He's also a staunch defender of his players in any situation, which draws the ire of some purists. But while most of the conversation has centered on whether the Yankees should keep Boone beyond this season, one well-known baseball analyst is taking them to task for retaining him as long as they already have. MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone looks on during batting practice prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on August 02, 2025 in Miami, Florida. MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone looks on during batting practice prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on August 02, 2025 in Miami, a recent episode of "The Show" on New York Post Sports, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo ripped the Yankees for not hiring Terry Francona in the offseason. Francona came out of a one-year retirement to manage the Cincinnati Reds after a long, fruitful career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Guardians. "These are the New York Yankees. ... I know they didn't want to hire (Bruce) Bochy because then they have to listen to front office and all that nonsense. Francona gets a job again. You are telling me Boone is a better manager than Terry Francona? Are you freaking crazy?" Russo ranted. "How did Francona end up with the Reds? Did the Yankees put a call in to Francona? 'Hey Terry, we had a bad World Series. Our manager killed us in Game 1.' He killed them in Game 1, guys. And Francona ends up in Cincinnati? Listen, everybody loves Boone. He's not a bad manager, but he has been there a long time (without a) World Series win. In my opinion, there are seven managers in the sport better than Boone. And yet, here he is." Francona is the three-time American League Manager of the Year, and he oversaw two World Series wins with the Red Sox, including the 2004 run that included a 3-0 comeback in the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. The general reaction when Francona returned was one of surprise, but the Yankees had also just been to the World Series for the first time under Boone when the 66-year-old was hired. New York was much more focused on trying to retain the services of Juan Soto than it was on luring a Boone replacement out of retirement. Francona's Reds are 62-58, 1 1/2 games worse than the Yankees. Both teams are fighting for a wild-card spot, so they have little time to dwell on what could have been in the winter. More MLB: Red Sox's Roman Anthony Matches Ted Williams' 86-Year-Old Franchise Record
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins: Carlos Rodón vs. Travis Adams
As I said yesterday, there may be no tonic like the Minnesota Twins, or perhaps no mask for what ails the Yankees like the team they've dominated for pretty well the entire century. New York took care of business yesterday in the series opener, and will look for Carlos Rodón to set them up for a series sweep with a win in game two tonight. Rodón has had a bumpy month, with a 4.95 ERA over his last four outings, all of them coming after being named to the AL's All-Star team. He's averaged exactly five innings a start over that stretch, and we saw last night with Will Warren's outing the relief — no pun intended — getting into the sixth inning (let alone the seventh) has on the rest of the pitching staff. Another strong start that sees the bullpen need to get fewer than 12 outs would be welcome, both to conserve some arms and as a sign that Carlos is on one. Travis Adams has bounced around the Twins' minor league system for a few years before finally getting the call onto the MLB roster in July. He's only made one career start to this point, a five-inning, two-run performance against the Tigers. He's been used as a long man and 'follower' for the Twins, but has been slapped around in many of those appearances. The Yankees are facing another guy they could jump all over, and should. Austin Wells, the league's worst hitter since July 11th, will be on the bench for the second straight game, and Ben Rice has taken his slot behind the plate. Indeed, the lineup is exactly the same as it was for Monday night's win, and after we got good results, why not run it back? How to Watch: Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. EDT TV broadcast: YES | Presented by Progressive (MIN) | MLB Network (out-of-market only) Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 | TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy (MIN) Online stream: Gotham Sports App For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
