During the offseason, the New York Yankees recently hired new manager Mr. Aaron Boone with the hopes of leading the team to a successful spring season. Mr. Boone officially signed a three-year contract with the Yankees Monday, December 4, 2017, becoming the team’s 33rd manager. He will work alongside former Sacred Heart Greenwich parent and current general manager Mr. Brian Cashman.

Mr. Boone is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) third baseman and was active from 1997 to 2009. During his career, he played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, and Houston Astros, according to baseball-reference.com. 

One of his notable achievements occurred when he played for the Yankees. During the seventh game of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, Mr. Boone hit a home run during the bottom of the 11th inning, sending the Yankees to the 2003 World Series.

In 2004, however, Mr. Boone injured his left knee during the offseason while playing basketball. This subsequently ended his baseball career as a player, and he was replaced by the Texas Rangers’ third baseman Mr. Alex Rodriguez. After his baseball career ended in 2004, Mr. Boone moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where he currently lives with his wife and four children.

There are concerns surrounding Mr. Boone’s new position due to his young age and little management experience. Mr. Boone argues that he has been preparing for this position his entire life, and that, with multiple family members having played on several MLB teams, he has an extensive background in baseball, according to The New York Times. 

After the New York Yankees won the 2009 World Series, Mr. Cashman and former Sacred Heart parent and manager Mr. Joe Girardi came to speak at Sacred Heart to celebrate and admire the Commissioner’s Trophy, which is also known as the World Series trophy. Many students received signatures from the two managers as well as the opportunity to take photos next to the trophy.

Junior Catherine Hamilton was present when Mr. Girardi and Mr. Cashman came to visit and enjoyed being able to hear them speak and seeing the trophy.

“I still remember the day Mr. Giarardi and Mr. Cashman brought the Commissioner’s Trophy to Sacred Heart,” Catherine said. “Our school showed a tremendous amount of school spirit and appreciation for the Yankees winning the World Series.”

Mr. Boone is hoping to receive support from others in the baseball industry to lead the team to success and ultimately fulfill his position as the new manager.

Even though Mr. Boone is new to the job, he said in an interview with Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) that he often turns to his father for guidance as he is currently the assistant general manager for the Washington Nationals. 
To counter doubts surrounding Mr. Boone’s new position, Chairman of the New York Yankees Mr. Hal Steinbrenner argues that Mr. Boone is a great communicator who wants to grow and create relationships, according to espn.com. 

“Of course he had his [playing] career, but he grew up around the game,” Mr. Steinbrenner said according to www.nj.com. “Father was a player and father was a manager. It was evident in talking to him, the questions that were asked of him, that a great deal of wisdom was imparted to him his whole life.”