Yankees manager Aaron Boone gets testy on ‘Talkin’ Yanks’ podcast: ‘Shallow take’
Yankees manager Aaron Bone seemed to be in a feisty mood during his weekly spot on the “Talkin’ Yanks” podcast.
Boone pushed back several times during the nearly 30-minute interview on Tuesday’s show.
The skipper’s most emotional reaction came when co-host Jake Storiale revisited a decision Boone made to not play the infield in during the eighth inning of the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Red Sox on June 11.
The Yankees carried a 2-1 lead into the frame, but the Red Sox quickly threatened and put runners on second and third base with one out.
With the New York infielders back, Jarren Duran grounded out to second, allowing the runner from third to score and tie the game at 2-2.
“I don’t even think that one is debatable, though,” Boone interjected when pushed on the issue.
Storiale countered that the Yankees’ best chance might have been to cut off the run at home instead of making the play for the out at first base.
“In the top of the eighth inning with a loaded-up bullpen?” Boone shot back. “I disagree like not even a little bit. … That’s just emotional, in the moment.”
“That happened to be a night we were loaded up in the [bullpen], it’s the top of the eighth. “We’ve got two more times to come to the plate,” Boone added.
But the Jomboy Media podcast host was quick to point out that the Yankees’ offense has had “a historically bad month.”
The comment appeared to stump Boone for a moment before he responded that in Storiale’s scenario, the Yankees could have easily found themselves down.
But the host said that the Yankees lost the game in extras anyway.
“When we get done I want you to really reflect and dive into that,” Boone said. “And pause and close your eyes and think about that. And go, ‘yeah I don’t really see that one.’”
Boone added: “When you manage the team you can bring them in in that situation.”
The exchange wasn’t the only tense moment between the hosts and Boone during the episode.
Boone called the frustration of Storiale and co-host Jimmy O’Brien over non-base stealing threats like Josh Donaldson and Anthony Rizzo being picked off a “shallow take.”
“There’s different things at play all the time in a game and you need to keep that in mind too,” Boone said.
While the conversation took a more serious tone at times, there didn’t appear to be any ill will at the end of the podcast.
Boone, who previously appeared weekly on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN New York, opted to move his weekly paid radio appearance from over-the-air radio to the podcast space this year.
But outside of the Yankees-centric podcast, Boone and the Yankees have faced increasing criticism as they’ve struggled since a strong May.
The Yankees, who have dealt with several injuries, have been without slugger Aaron Judge since June 3, when he slammed into the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium while making a catch.
New York has struggled at the plate since Judge hit the injured list with a toe injury, dropping eight of the 12 games they’ve been without him.
But the Yankees did get some good news Tuesday as Judge had a “breakthrough” regarding his injury.
