Michael Kay's rant defending Aaron Boone overlooks main Yankees fan argument

We get it. There are lunatics out there calling into sports radio every day blaming Aaron Boone for not dragging his players across the field by their shirt after they make an error. And we know those are New York Yankees fans who refused to be rooted in reality. Do they deserve a talking to? Sure. Will they listen? No. How will they listen if they're already this incensed? They're already off the deep end.

Michael Kay, the voice of the Yankees, took those folks to task on his radio show over the last couple weeks. And for good reason. The noise has gotten too loud and their rambunctious argument has lost the room.

But Kay skirted around all of the meaningful reasons as to why some more mild-mannered fans feel as if Boone has overstayed his welcome. As did MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, who responded to fans being frustrated that Boone doesn't discipline his players.

Both rebuttals definitely held weight, but both missed the point. No reasonable fan is asking Boone to berate his players publicly when a mistake is made. They're asking for consequences. Bench Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo when they aren't hustling. Bench Anthony Volpe when he's unraveling at the seams. Take Austin Wells out of the cleanup spot when he's hitting under .200. Take players out of the game when they are actively hurting the team's chances of winning. And do it promptly and efficiently. Don't do it after weeks of the problems mounting.

And guess what?! Boone found a way to berate one of his most least valuable players in Toronto last week when he was seen yelling at JC Escarra in the dugout for making a throw Boone felt was "risky" ... meanwhile, Anthony Volpe made two boneheaded defensive plays that cost the Yankees two runs in a game that was lost 6-5.

The main argument is that Boone's priorities are out of wack and he doesn't operate with intent. He's either the world's best people pleaser, or he's stuck taking instruction from an out-of-touch front office.

Michael Kay's Yankees fan criticism was correct, but left one reality out

Yes! Getting to the World Series is an accomplishment. But the Yankees told us all year they were the best team in MLB, so ... what does that mean? And yes, they did get embarrassed. The numbers suggested the Yankees should have won (or it should have been closer), but guess what? They disregarded fundamentals all year, didn't make necessary changes when they needed to, and their best player failed over and over again in the spotlight. Whose fault is that? None of this reflects on the manager? The messaging? The overall philosophy?

Notice how Kay blames "the organization" for bringing in Nestor Cortes instead of Tim Hill. Notice how Kay downplays the various defensive meltdowns in the World Series. Notice how Kay fails to mention the Yankees didn't run into superior competition until the Fall Classic, or the fact they didn't face a rival (the Astros and Red Sox have repeatedly embarrassed them in the postseason). Notice how Kay blames the front office for Anthony Rizzo/Alex Verdugo occupying roster spots.

Isn't the manager's job to put his guys in the best position to succeed? Lobby for glaring roster needs when communicating with the front office? Holding his players' feet to the fire when the stakes are highest? Sometimes overruling the decisions that come from above with gut instinct?

Boone isn't squarely to blame for anything. But crediting him for the Yankees beating down on two inexperienced and inferior AL Central teams before getting their doors blown off by their chief competition is weak.

Since 2018, talent has gotten the Yankees far. They've always had enough to succeed or be in the contention conversation. But when push comes to shove or crafty maneuvering is necessary, the Yankees shell up and get walked all over. The 2018 ALDS, the 2019 ALCS, the 2020 ALDS, the 2021 Wild Card Game, the 2022 ALCS and the 2024 World Series. It's a pattern. And that's what the learned fans are concerned about.