The New York Yankees would not have advanced to the ALCS without major contributions from 4 people who many wanted to run out of town.
By the time Gleyber Torres was pulled from a game on August 2nd for not hustling, the number of calls into sports radio offering to “pick him and drive him to the airport” numbered into the thousands. Torres had a horrific start to his walk year and didn’t turn it around until his benching. Against the Kansas City, he had a two-run homer to help win Game 1 and two hits and a RBI in the clinching Game 4.
A month after Torres was benched, Clay Holmes was mercifully removed from the closer’s role after blowing one of his league leading 13 saves in spectacular fashion. Giving up a game-ending grand slam to Texas’ rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford on September 3rd. Now, in a setup role, Holmes has found his form and pitched in all 4 games against the Royals without allowing a run in 5 innings.
Unlike the others, Giancarlo Stanton’s time on the hot seat has more to do with his health and contract as he is one of the only players in MLB to be told to “take it easy” on the basepaths for fear that he will pull a muscle. But once again, Stanton limped into the playoffs batting only .194 in 72 September at bats, only to have a “Marlin-like renaissance” once the post-season bell rung. Stanton batted .375 against the Royals.
Which brings us to the man who benched Torres but then put him in the leadoff spot, who demoted Holmes but still trusts him in high-leverage situations, and who has never given up on “G” despite the myriads of leg injuries and related slumps. Aaron Boone takes heat because he presents an optimistic, even-tempered disposition in most of his pre- and post-game interviews. Truth is, that’s not only a modern-day manager, but a modern-day boss. In random office settings, away from the spotlight, bosses hesitate to yell at or reprimand their employees for fear of being called into HR. It’s a different world today, and Boone’s disposition, like it or not, is one of the main reasons why he was brought in to replace old-school Joe Girardi 7 years ago. Now, for the 3rd time in those 7 years he’s led the Yankees to ALCS. If he wants to quiet the fans calling for his job, he knows he needs two more champagne fueled celebrations.
