Apr 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone walks off the field after checking on starting pitcher Jhony Brito (not pictured) during the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins
(New York, NY) – Aaron Boone is understandably conflicted by the New York Mets hiring of Carlos Mendoza.
On the one hand, the Yankees manager is losing his bench coach – who also happens to be one of his best friends. Boone calls Mendoza a “brother” who he was rooting for during the job interview process.
SNY caught up with Boone by telephone Monday night: “He is the complete package, man. He’s the real deal… smart, tough, prepared, and works his butt off. And a very loyal person. He has a great family. And I can count on him, always.”
That’s a glowing review from Boone, who – like Mendoza – got the job as Yankees’ skipper despite not having any previous managerial experience. Boone gave his assessment of what the Mets are getting in their new manager: “He has grown in the job. He has earned this opportunity. Smelling the winds over the last month, I thought he was going to get one of these jobs because people were seeing what I have seen.”
But what about the fact Mendoza is totally green as a manager?
Boone doesn’t see it as a major concern: “The only thing people can say is that he doesn’t have the experience. But he has managed in the minors. He has been a bench coach. He has managed in the minors. He has done winter ball. He has more than paid his dues.”
SNY’s Andy Martino explained to Boone he had heard a “rumor” that Mendoza was routinely outspoken in discussions with members of the front office – sometimes disagreeing with analysts and ideas put forth by management. Boone offered that Mendoza “is very strong, very confident. But also very open-minded and in tune with everything in the game. Dealing with players. He’s not afraid to debate, talk. He has the ability to push back on anything, but he knows he doesn’t know everything.”
Boone wishes the best for Mendoza, despite them now being rival managers. “We share a city,” Boone acknowledged, while looking forward: “And hopefully we will meet in October.”
Now, the Yankees must find their own replacement. One member of the Bronx Bombers’ front office put it bluntly in speaking to Martino: “F—,” he said. “That’s a big loss.”
As for Boone, the Mets’ hire means not just the loss of a coach, but also a friend. He describes Mendoza as “a great baseball man and a great friend. We can complete each other’s sentences. We communicate really well together on the bench. Not that we always agree, but we communicate so effectively. I’m losing somebody who I completely trust. We have experienced a lot together and he has become like a brother to me.”
If nothing else, Boone vs. Mendoza adds another wrinkle to the always juiced Subway Series
