The Yankees on Friday chose Aaron Boone as their next manager over five other candidates, giving Boone his "first managerial job at any level," according to Kepner & Waldstein of the N.Y. TIMES. Boone had been an ESPN broadcaster since '10, and managers are increasingly being "hired with little to no experience on the job." The role has "evolved to become a more direct conduit to the front office, with increasing emphasis on tying decisions about lineups and [strategic] decisions to analytics" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/2). In N.Y., Joel Sherman wrote Boone "surprised his Yankees inquisitors with his grasp of all areas of the game." It became clear Boone had been using his role at ESPN as "something akin to a Ph.D. program in modern baseball." Organizations are increasingly "favoring traits that were in Boone's tool belt -- such as being able to communicate and connect with people, being open to new ideas and having self-confidence to withstand external rebuke" (N.Y. POST, 12/3). In Boston, Michael Silverman wrote the hiring of Boone was "one bold (expletive) leap of faith." The most successful franchise in MLB history "opted for youth, communication ability and playing experience over a single day of minor or major league coaching or managerial duty." However, Boone "should prove to be far less edgy and standoffish" than former manager Joe Girardi (BOSTON HERALD, 12/3). In N.Y., Mike Lupica wrote Boone "will be terrific" as Yankees manager. There are "obvious comparisons to be made" with Astros manager A.J. Hinch. Boone has "scouted, passionately and tirelessly, because anybody who ever worked with him or around him at ESPN knows what a bear he was for preparation" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/3).
TAKING A RISK: In N.Y., John Harper wrote the "overwhelming takeaway" from Boone's hiring is more about Yankees Senior VP & GM Brian Cashman than Boone. Cashman is "being true to his risk-taking nature at a time when logic would call for a more conventional choice." GMs want "smart, young managers who can implement analytics and still connect with players." But by putting a "relative novice in such a high-profile job with huge expectations, Cashman has raised the bar on outside-the-box thinking" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/3). Also in N.Y., Bill Madden wrote Cashman's choice had "come down to two huge risks" -- Boone or Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens. Madden: "I don't know what the difference maker turned out to be but I strongly suspect it was Boone's winning personality, media savvy and familiarity with the New York media" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 12/2).
A REAL PEOPLE PERSON: In Newark, Steve Politi wrote Boone will "win the press conference, and chances are, he'll win over the young players who will be under his watch." He also has a "good understanding on the analytics that have become such an important part of the job." But no one has any idea how Boone will "handle the pressures of this job" (NJ.com, 12/2). On Long Island, David Lennon wrote while Boone has never been a manager, he "essentially played one on TV." As the game "continues to evolve, spurred onward by analytics and the greater reliance on ever-younger stars, the manager's role in the organizational hierarchy is different now" (NEWSDAY, 12/3). ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian wrote Boone is an "excellent choice" amid a "new day of managing, where people skills are more important than anything" (ESPN.com, 12/2). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly wrote the modern manager is there to "represent the brand and act as a clubhouse therapist." In the end, it is "probably more about being good with people than having some magical insight" (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/3).
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN': BOSTON SPORTS JOURNAL's Sean McAdam wrote if fans want to know how much the game has changed, consider that the Yankees and Red Sox, both "coming off winning seasons that saw them reach the postseason, will next year employ rookie managers who have never managed a regular season game in their lives." It is noteworthy that for both Boone and Red Sox manager Alex Cora, most of their post-playing careers "were spent in the media." Undoubtedly, both will "find that their experience in the media and ability to communicate ... will be great assets." But the recent trend in hiring "seems to virtually discount previous dugout experience" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 12/2). SI.com's Jon Tayler wrote the trend in managerial hires this offseason has been "fresh and new" (SI.com, 12/1).
HIGH PRAISE: On Twitter, the Yankees were lauded for the hire. ESPN Radio N.Y.'s Michael Kay :"The Yankees have just hired a superb person to be their next manager. @AaronBoone_ESPN was born into baseball and is ready for this job." Dodgers broadcaster Jerry Hairston Jr.: "High baseball IQ, Respected by everyone." ESPN's Andrew Marchand: "I don't know for sure if Aaron Boone will be a good manager, but he is an upgrade for the lunch the writers have with the manager at the Winter Meetings." MLB Network's Sean Casey: "The Yankees made the right choice. Congrats Boonie." FS1's Dontrelle Willis: "My man @AaronBoone_ESPN one of my all time favorite team mates. Good man that knows baseball." FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman: "What a great day for aaron boone. he gets an absolute dream, life-altering job, and in the process escapes espn."
