AARON BOONE EARNS HIS PINSTRIPES
The New York Yankees begin the month of May 2 games of the Tampa Bay Rays after losing a 2 game series to the Arizona Cardinals, ending what started out as a successful West Coast trip that include series wins of the Angels and Giants. The team still has 12 players on the IL, including their best starter and regular. Manager Aaron Boone has withstood lots of criticism, but all in all, things have gone quite well.
But now comes the hard part. As the Yankees prepare for the return of several players they begin a difficult schedule that includes the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners at the Stadium for a 7 game home stand, before the Bombers head South to take on the first place Rays in the Sunshine state. Then it’s back home for the pesky Baltimore Orioles and another series with Tampa. The Yanks finish the month with a road trip to Kansas City against the lowly Royals, before finishing the month with the San Diego Padres and the Red Sox in the Bronx.
The Yankees rotation has them sitting at 17–13 on May 1st. As much adversity as the Yankees have faced since Spring Training, that is a small miracle. The Yankees have shown Brian Cashman’s team building with an eye toward depth is working. Manager Aaron Boone has withstoood the hot seat, but even fellow managers like the SF Giants Bruce Bochy credit Booney with keeping things on track and winning without his stars. One GM said Boone is the AL Manager of the Year, at least for April. He may not write up the best lineups, and he’s brutal with the pitching changes, but this 30 game start proves one thing. Aaron Boone is the right man for the job.
