Even before Wednesday night’s collapse, the mood among New York Yankees fans had already soured.
But after another string of costly errors and questionable in-game choices, demands for Aaron Boone’s dismissal have reached a fever pitch.
Chants of “Fire Boone” echoed online and in bars across the city, with some calling for his firing “immediately, tonight.”
One fan on X made a list of the men who “killed the Yankees”, which included GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone.
Boone, now in his eighth season as manager, inherited a roster laden with expectations. Yet, persistent defensive lapses and bullpen mismanagement have fueled rising discontent.
In their latest loss, the team committed four errors in three innings, extending glaring issues in a head-to-head rivalry where every win matters.
A disappointing postseason performance
The Yankees‘ offense faltered throughout the ALDS, with only Aaron Judge batting above .230. Key players such as Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Volpe struggled, both hitting below .200.
Pitching also proved problematic, as the staff posted a 5.61 ERA, among the worst in the postseason.
The Blue Jays outscored the Yankees 34-17 over the four-game series, leading to a decisive 5-2 loss in Game 4.
Boone’s strategic decisions under fire
Boone made several strategic moves during the series that have come under criticism.
In Game 4, facing elimination, Boone reintroduced Paul Goldschmidt at first base, replacing Ben Rice. This decision was part of an effort to balance the lineup against the Blue Jays’ bullpen-heavy approach.
However, the move did not yield the desired results, and the Yankees’ offensive struggles continued.
Former Yankees player Alex Rodriguez defended Boone, stating that the manager was “the least to blame” for the team’s early playoff exit.
Rodriguez criticized the front office for what he described as one of the “worst roster constructions” he’s seen, citing issues such as the presence of three left-handed catchers and five designated hitters.
He argued that these roster decisions made Boone‘s job unnecessarily difficult.
Boone’s backers and the organizational firewall
Boone maintains institutional support despite the outrage. Brian Cashman has defended the framework under which Boone operates, and many inside the clubhouse still view him as a steady hand in a volatile environment.
He signed a two-year extension before the 2025 season, which would keep him with the team through 2027. Boone expressed confidence in his future with the Yankees, stating, “I’m under contract.”
Boone was tossed in the third inning Sunday after disputing a pitch call, marking his fifth ejection of 2025 and 44th overall, a lightning rod statistic some hope will figure into ownership’s calculus.
On a recent episode of Talkin’ Yanks, Boone admitted privately what many had already suspected: “In a lot of ways, I feel like this is potentially the best team we’ve had here over the last several years but we got to put it together and realize that potential.”
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