And the Word was Good
We will start, as the Yankees did, with Boone’s words. His most important and repeated message to his team has been to control the strike zone. That might always be his philosophy, but it is more apropos for a team filled with young power hitters.
If a manager is primarily a messenger, then Boone’s message of patience and control is his most important.
And he has backed up his firm declaration that he does not care about wins and losses in Spring Training by allowing no extended games so far. I think there has only been one opportunity, but it was still eschewed by Aaron.
Also, Boonie’s comments have made his respect for the players clear.
Take RHP Chance Adams. His projections as a starter have been getting worse since last season ended. And his performance this ST has left him farther down the depth chart (11.57 ERA in three starts). Both Luis Cessa and Domingo German stand as more likely to be called up next.
But on the day Adams was cut, Boone was about his place in the pecking order by Randy Miller of NJ.com. And Aaron made sure to respect what Adams has done, even at the minor league level.
"He’s still in that mix if and when it occurs during the regular season, and he’ll also be a candidate for a first big-league call-up when the Yankees need a sixth starter, which they plan to use now and then. “Oh sure, I think he also remains in the conversation because of the work that he’s done,” Boone said. “He’s earned that. So he’ll continue to get opportunities (in the minors) and always be a guy that we’re watching very closely.”"
We can, however, best gauge Boone’s true character and intentions in his least guarded moments; two stand out.