Yankees fans aren’t going to like Aaron Boone’s radio spot with Michael Kay

On Thursday, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone stopped by The Michael Kay Show on ESPN radio, which was something he absolutely didn’t have to do. Kay ripped him multiple times over the last few weeks in excruciating fashion. Whether deserved or not, Boone didn’t owe anybody anything.

But at 5 p.m. ET, he was there, fielding a ton of questions from both Kay and Don La Greca, speaking to the media for the first time since the curtain closed on 2022. Did they hold his feet to the fire? Not exactly. But they did ask some tough ones … to which Boone didn’t really deliver upon (at least in the manner in which fans might’ve been hoping).

Fans will likely hear more from the skipper during Friday’s presser that will also feature general manager Brian Cashman, but for now they’ll have to sleep on what Boone had to say about his decision to pull Cole in Game 3 of the ALCS, the statuses of Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson heading into 2023, and why his coaching staff decided to show the team highlights of the 2004 Boston Red Sox ALCS comeback against … the Yankees.

If you’d prefer to enjoy your evening, we’ll give you the chance to exit this window right now. That way, you can get a good night’s sleep and hear everything you need to hear on Friday.

Otherwise, don’t blame us if you now need to take a walk. Boone first elaborated upon his decision to pull Cole in that ALCS Game 3 in favor of reliever Lou Trivino.

Aaron Boone’s spot on The Michael Kay Show won’t instill confidence in Yankees fans

He at least admitted the wrong, so there’s no fault there, but man, come on. That one still hurts. Being reminded of it is difficult. Confirming he was wrong, and fans (in the moment!) were right is arguably more painful.

As for the team’s starting shortstop in 2023, it could still possibly be Kiner-Falefa. “Can be” were Boone’s words. We’re just hoping that’s him doing his best not to show the Yankees’ hand when it comes to dealing IKF or relegating him to a utility role. Then again, with how the Yankees have treated their prospects lately by not giving them enough opportunities, this doesn’t feel great either.

OK, those were the light ones. Are you READY to get FURIOUS?! If that was too much for you, here’s one last opportunity to go enjoy your dinner and a glass of wine.

Because we know you don’t want to hear about Josh Donaldson unless it has to do with his release or him being shipped out of town. The defense was great, yes, but the offense was brutal. Boone didn’t seem to agree on that latter perspective, however.

“Absolutely” vs “Can Be” … now you can see how we’ve entered completely different territory. Boone also reiterated our worst fears — the Yankees were simply waiting and hoping the slugger would come around. He didn’t. He had a career-worst year and offered a negative impact in the playoffs. If he’s starting at third base next year, there might be a collective, never-before-seen mental breakdown among the Yankees fanbase.

And now for the grand finale. The massive elephant in the room. The “Why Did You Show the Yankees Highlights of the Boston Red Sox ALCS Comeback?” question everyone’s been waiting for. When Kay followed up and asked if Boone understood how that might be received poorly by the fanbase due to the hatred of Boston and the trauma from that particular choke, his response suggested he indeed did not understand.

But those “little things” the Red Sox did were at the Yankees’ expense. The highlights/clips cannot be separated from the hellacious, scarring outcome.

Perhaps most concerning, however, was Boone saying he was never worried about his job security, particularly because he’s still under contract. Has a contract ever mattered in sports history when it comes to job security? Is the standard in the Bronx officially no longer what it once was? It’s not that fans want a revolving door of managers, but there has to be some fear of making the wrong decision/performing exceptionally poorly.

Apparently not. Run it back in 2023. That’s all we got from this.

Old Brian Cashman quote on Bryce Harper, Yankees spreads during Phillies’ World Series

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