Aaron Boone

Aaron Boone
Boone with the Washington Nationals
New York Yankees – No. 17
Third baseman / Manager
Born: (1973-03-09) March 9, 1973
La Mesa, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 20, 1997, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 2009, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Batting average .263
Home runs 126
Runs batted in 555
Managerial record 100–62
Winning % .617
Teams

As player

As manager

Career highlights and awards

Aaron John Boone (born March 9, 1973) is an American former professional baseball infielder, broadcaster, and current manager of the New York Yankees. He is the son of Bob Boone, grandson of Ray Boone, and the brother of Bret Boone. He played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, and Houston Astros from 1997 through 2009.

Boone was an All-Star in 2003, and hit a series-winning walk-off home run in the 2003 American League Championship Series. From 2010 to 2017, Boone was employed by ESPN as a game analyst and was a color commentator for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball coverage, as well as a contributor to Baseball Tonight. In December 2017, the Yankees hired Boone to become the 33rd manager in franchise history.

Amateur career

Boone attended Villa Park High School in Villa Park, California. He batted .423 with 22 stolen bases for the school's baseball team in his senior year, and was named the Century League's co-player of the year. The California Angels selected Boone on the third day of the 1991 MLB draft, but he had no intention to sign a professional contract.[1] He attended the University of Southern California (USC) and played college baseball for the USC Trojans. In 1993, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and Orleans won the league's championship.[2][3]

Professional career

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds selected Boone in the third round of the 1994 MLB draft.[4] Boone made his MLB debut in June 1997,[5] and was ejected from the game after being called out sliding into home.[6][7] On the last day of the 1998 season, the Reds started the only MLB infield composed of two sets of brothers: first baseman Stephen Larkin, second baseman Bret Boone, shortstop Barry Larkin, and third baseman Aaron Boone.[8][9]

On September 22, 2002, Boone hit the last home run in Riverfront Stadium in the eighth inning, a solo home run off Dan Plesac. Boone hit a career-high 26 home runs in 2002, playing in all 162 games. The Reds named Boone their team's most valuable player award. He appeared in the 2003 MLB All-Star Game.[10]

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees acquired Boone from the Reds for Brandon Claussen, Charlie Manning and cash on July 31, 2003.[11] In 54 games after the trade, he hit .254 with a .720 OPS, six home runs and 31 RBIs.[12]

During Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series (ALCS), Boone hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, off of Tim Wakefield, which gave the New York Yankees a 6–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox, thus prolonging the Curse of the Bambino. The New York Daily News dubbed the play the "Curse of the Boonebino".[13] This home run was rated the ninth-best home run of all time on Baseball Tonight.[14]

In January 2004, Boone tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a pick-up basketball game, played in violation of his contract with the Yankees.[15][16] The Yankees released Boone on February 27, 2004.[12]

Cleveland Indians

Boone signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians in June 2004. He earned $600,000 for 2004, $3 million for the 2005 season, and a club option for the 2006 season worth $4.5 million.[17] After missing the entire 2004 season, Boone played 154 games in 2005. He batted .243 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.[18] The Indians exercised an option on Boone's contract for the 2006 season.[19] In his second season with Cleveland, he batted .251 with seven home runs.[20]

Later career

Boone with the Marlins

On December 29, 2006, Boone signed a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins worth $925,000.[20][21] He batted .286 in 69 games for the Marlins in 2007.[22]

On December 6, 2007, Boone signed a one-year, $1,000,000 contract with the Washington Nationals.[23]

On December 18, 2008, Boone signed a one-year $750,000, plus incentives, deal with the Houston Astros.[24]

In March 2009, Boone underwent open-heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve, a condition that he has been aware of since childhood but which routine tests indicated had recently worsened. Boone stated that doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovers, but he was not sure if he would choose to do so.[25][26][27] Boone returned to baseball on August 10, when he began his rehabilitation with the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Astros' Double-A minor league affiliate. He played five innings and was hitless in two plate appearances. Boone stated after the game that his goal was to return to the major leagues by September 1, the date that major league rosters expand.[28] Boone was activated on September 1, and added to the Astros' expanded roster.[29] On September 2, Boone made his season debut, playing at first base and going 0 for 3.[30] On September 16, Boone stated that he was leaning towards retirement, and on October 4 he played his last game.

Broadcasting career

Boone served as a guest analyst for the MLB Network coverage of the 2009 ALCS between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

On February 23, 2010, Boone announced his retirement and that he would become an analyst for ESPN.[31] Boone appeared on Monday Night Baseball and for Baseball Tonight's pregame show on Sunday night.[32] Boone called the 2014 and 2015 World Series for ESPN Radio with play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman.[33] He and Jessica Mendoza became color commentators on Sunday Night Baseball with Shulman in 2016.[32] Boone and Shulman continued to call World Series games for ESPN Radio through 2017.[34]

Managing career

New York Yankees

2018 season

After the 2017 season, the Yankees decided not to retain Joe Girardi as their manager. The Yankees hired Boone to succeed him on December 4, 2017.[35][36][37] The Yankees started the 2018 season with a 6–1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 29, 2018.[38] On September 2, 2018, Boone was suspended for one game for making illegal contact with an umpire.[39] He finished his first season with a 100-62 record,[40] good for second in the American League East,[40] and led the Yankees to the wild card game against the Oakland Athletics, despite losing Aaron Judge for two months with a wrist injury. On October 3, 2018, the Yankees defeated the Athletics 7-2 to advance to the American League Division Series,[41] giving Boone his first postseason win as a manager. After a strong Post Season start, on October 8th, 2018, the Yankees suffered one of the most humiliating losses in franchise history as the Boston Red Sox defeated them by a score of 16-1.[42] The Boston Red Sox eliminated the New York Yankees three–games–to–one in the American League Division Series.[43]

Managerial record

As of October 9, 2018
TeamFromToRegular season recordPost–season record
GWLWin %GWLWin %
New York Yankees2018present 16210062.617 523.400
Ref.:[40]

Personal life

He is the son of former catcher and manager Bob Boone, the brother of All Star and winner of four gold gloves, Bret Boone, the brother of former Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer, Matt Boone and the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone. He is a descendant of pioneer Daniel Boone. As children, Aaron and Bret spent time in the Phillies clubhouse with fellow sons of other major league players, including Pete Rose Jr.[44]

Boone's wife, Laura Cover, was a Playboy Playmate (Miss October 1998). Boone lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.[45][46] Boone and Cover have four children; two biological children and two adopted.[47]

See also

References

  1. "Boone's Son Aaron Is Latest to Be Drafted by the Angels : Baseball: Villa Park shortstop happy to be selected, but he intends to honor his commitment to play at USC. - latimes". Articles.latimes.com. June 6, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  2. http://orleansfirebirds.pointstreaksites.com/view/orleansfirebirds/history/modern-era
  3. http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf
  4. "3rd Round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  5. http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/06/20/131833324/aaron-boone-takes-brothers-place-in-mlb-debut
  6. "Aaron Boone Has No Coaching Experience? Don't Tell That to His Flag Football Team". The New York Times. March 29, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  7. "Boone thrown out, ejected in debut". MLB on YouTube. June 23, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  8. "Games That Matter | By Barry Larkin". Theplayerstribune.com. October 1, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  9. "Aaron Boone puts his USC degree, and his heart, to new work for ESPN | Farther Off the Wall". Insidesocal.com. February 23, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  10. "Day 63: Aaron Boone, 2003 Reds' All-Star". Cincinnati.com. May 12, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  11. "Reds' breakup continues: Boone dealt to Yankees". ESPN.com. July 31, 2003.
  12. 1 2 "With release, Boone is a free agent". Espn.com. February 26, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  13. McCarron, Anthony (October 17, 2003). "It's the Curse of the Boonebino Shot in 11th Makes History of Sox". New York Daily News. p. 78.
  14. Vaccaro, Mike (2006). Emperors and Idiots: The Hundred Year Rivalry Between the Yankees and Red Sox, From the Very Beginning to the End of the Curse.
  15. "Hurt playing hoops, Boone might miss season". Espn.com. January 28, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  16. https://www.si.com/vault/2004/04/05/366859/a-boone-to-baseball
  17. "Indians, Boone agree on two-year contract - Sports - The Daily Record - Wooster, OH". The Daily Record. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  18. By Kevin Yanik / Special to MLB.com (January 2, 2017). "Batting Around with Aaron Boone | Cleveland Indians". Cleveland.indians.mlb.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  19. MLB.com (June 26, 2004). "Indians and Boone re-structure 2006 contract; Option for next year exercised". Cleveland.indians.mlb.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  20. 1 2 "Marlins sign veteran third baseman Aaron Boone". Espn.com. December 29, 2006. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  21. "Marlins sign infielder Aaron Boone". MLB.com (Press release). December 29, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  22. "Marlins park top priority - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com". Web.archive.org. October 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  23. "Nats add Boone, avoid arbitration with Pena, Langerhans". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  24. "Astros sign Boone to one-year deal". MLB.com (Press release). December 18, 2008. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  25. "Boone to Have Heart Surgery". Sports Illustrated. CNN. March 18, 2009. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
  26. "Aaron Boone headed for open-heart surgery". Cleveland Plain Dealer. March 19, 2009. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
  27. "Boone Undergoes Surgery". ESPN. March 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  28. Torenli, John (August 10, 2009). "Astros' Boone returns to diamond". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  29. "Astros activate Boone 5 months after heart surgery". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on May 30, 2014.
  30. "Lee's two-run homer powers Lilly, Cubs past Astros". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
  31. "Aaron Boone joins ESPN as analyst". ESPN.com. February 23, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  32. 1 2 Cafardo, Ben (January 13, 2016). "ESPN Names New Sunday Night Baseball Analysts: Jessica Mendoza & Aaron Boone". ESPN MediaZone. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  33. "Listen to the World Series on 97.3 ESPN". 973espn.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  34. Skarka, Michael (October 5, 2017). "ESPN Radio to Broadcast Every Pitch of the 2017 MLB Postseason". ESPN MediaZone. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  35. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/12/04/yankees-hire-aaron-boone-official/
  36. "Aaron Boone tabbed to be new manager for Yankees". MLB. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  37. "Mark Teixeira says Aaron Boone the right guy to manage Yankees young stars". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  38. Longley, Rob (March 29, 2018). "Stanton, Yankees crush Blue Jays in opening-day drubbing". Toronto Sun. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  39. "Aaron Boone suspended one game for bumping umpire". MLB. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  40. 1 2 3 "Aaron Boone". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  41. "New York Yankees rout A's to set up ALDS showdown with Boston Red Sox". The Guardian. Associated Press. October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  42. "Red Sox pound Yankees 16-1, take 2-1 ALDS series lead; Brock Holt hits for cycle". The Post-Standard. Advance Local Media LLC. Associated Press. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  43. Hoffmann, Benjamin; Wagner, James (October 10, 2018). "Red Sox Eliminate Yankees From Playoffs in a Photo Finish". New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  44. Grimsley, Will (March 8, 1979). "Phillies 'Kiddie Korps' Enjoys Spring Romps". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  45. "Playmate News". Playboy. Playboy. 55: 143–144. November 2008.
  46. Jason McIntyre. "Players and their favorite Playmates". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  47. Bucher, Chris (December 2, 2017). "Laura Cover, Aaron Boone's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
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