MLB announces honorary All-Star coach who can teach Aaron Boone how to do his job

The New York Yankees might have an edge while the All-Star Game roster gets built, as Aaron Boone will be at the reins following the Yanks' AL championship last fall. They might also have an edge down the stretch, thanks to an honorary coach who's been called upon to assist Boone in the dugout in Atlanta.

Typically, an All-Star manager is flanked by his current coaching staff, as well as two familiar managers from throughout the league. That's how Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts is handling things, paying it forward by inviting Braves manager Brian Snitker, as well as 2024 Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough, who earned a tip before bolting to manage the Marlins.

Boone is handling things a bit differently, though. He's invited his ALCS foe, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, as well as Hall of Fame Yankees leader Joe Torre.

Tongue-in-cheek references aside, it's hard to imagine a better mentorship opportunity. The 84-year-old former Yankees manager is rarely around the team, having left for the Dodgers after being dismissed after the 2007 season, then rising into a role in the MLB office. He returns to the Bronx for celebrations of his championship teams, typically, but Boone probably hasn't gotten a ton of chance to pick Torre's brain. This week in Atlanta is a ... pretty good one.

Yankees legend Joe Torre will be looking over Aaron Boone's shoulder at 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta

The All-Star Game no longer "means something" in terms of determining home field advantage in the World Series, but this particular game could definitely mean something for the Yankees.

Torre's steadiness and feel for the game helped guide the Yankees, greater than the sum of their parts, to four World Series championships from 1996-2007. He had his flaws, of course. Bullpen overuse was always a bugaboo for Torre; just ask Scott Proctor. His ego, eventually, ballooned to a point that the front office (also very much full of egos) found untenable.

Torre had an innate ability to push buttons and read trends that might not be fully teachable. We really hope Boone is able to learn at least a little by osmosis, though.

Wonder how Torre would've handled the Nestor Cortes/Tim Hill decision. Probably ... probably would've just brought in Proctor.