Phil Nevin suspension fully justifies Yankees firing him in offseason

Maybe the 2021 New York Yankees were simply cursed and their destiny was to always underachieve and then get punked by their overachieving rival … but, then again, it’s really hard to believe the changes that were made this offseason (and the success that’s followed) are merely a coincidence.

Among those was manager Aaron Boone shaking up his coaching staff. Third base coach Phil Nevin was one of the casualties, but it inadvertently resulted in a promotion for the man.

Nevin was hired by Joe Maddon to join the Los Angeles Angels, and weeks into the season, he was named interim manager after Maddon was fired following a horrid stretch of play that took LA from 10 games above .500 to two games under .500.

If there’s one thing Nevin brought to the Yankees, it was his fiery personality and energy that rubbed opponents the wrong way. Just ask Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who nearly cried because Nevin trash-talked Tampa’s bench one time.

However, the Yankees had the eighth-most outs on the bases in MLB last season, and Nevin was the chief culprit. They were also tied for most runners thrown out at home with the Royals (22).

This year, New York is in a much better place in those departments, with only two runners thrown out at the plate through 74 games. Meanwhile, Nevin has been suspended for more games than he’s won for the Angels.

Former Yankees coach Phil Nevin managing somewhere else is fun … but not what New York needs

In summation, Yankees fans are happy Nevin has gotten his moment … however, they’re glad it’s not in the Bronx. It’s fun to watch elsewhere. Not here. No thank you.

The Yankees can’t have this kind of a circus surrounding them at any point in time because of the media attention they receive. The “pedestrian” coverage of the Yankees still feels excessive. Nevin contributing to a blowup of this magnitude in New York would’ve been a disaster.

And under these circumstances? No way.

Despite all the complaints about Boone over the years, fans, at this moment, are more content with his mild-mannered style of coaching rather than Nevin’s unhinged version, which came to life just 18 games after he was given an opportunity to steer the ship. He’s managing two of the biggest names in the sport on a failing team that kicked their veteran manager to the curb just weeks prior and he’s worried about settling the score with a sub-.500 team in the Seattle Mariners? Maybe just figure out how to win games before you start benches-clearing brawls? Standing up for your guys is admirable, but when there are bigger goals to accomplish, maybe try to make your point in a more subtle fashion.

It’s fun to watch chaos unfold elsewhere, especially when one of your former guys is the catalyst. But when it’s in your backyard? When it’s resulting in other problems? When it’s taking the focus off the task at hand? Nope. Pass.

Yankees fans are content watching the fireworks show across the country.

Yankees: Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman open up on Phil Nevin firing

New York Yankees manager (yes, still) Aaron Boone opened up on his role in the firing of third base coach Phil Nevin and other staffers.