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Boone, who will be introduced Wednesday at
Yankee Stadium, signed a three-year contract through the 2020
season with a team option for 2021. He becomes the 18th Yankees
manager to have played for the club.
The 44-year-old Boone replaces Joe Girardi, who was dismissed on
Oct. 26 -- shortly after the Yankees fell one win shy of
advancing to the World Series by losing Game 7 of the American
League Championship Series to the Houston Astros.
"Words cannot express how humbled I am to wear the pinstripes
again as the manager of the Yankees," Boone said. "I want to
thank the Steinbrenner family and Brian Cashman for entrusting
me with this tremendous honor and responsibility. I believe we
are entering into a special time in New York Yankees history,
and I am so excited to be a part of it. I can't wait to get to
work -- and that work starts now."
Boone has never been a manager or coach at any level since
retiring after the 2009 season.
He has been beloved in the Bronx, however, since helping the
Yankees to a 2003 World Series title with a walk-off home run in
the 11th inning in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Boston Red
Sox.
"I firmly believe that Aaron possesses the attributes needed to
follow in the tradition of great Yankees managers," Yankees
owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "From all accounts,
he is a polished communicator who possesses the ability to
cultivate and grow relationships. Aaron has also spent a
lifetime immersed in baseball, affording him a unique and
intimate understanding of what fosters team success.
"Aaron's name is already etched into Yankees history, and my
family and I are excited to welcome him back to this franchise.
This opportunity will allow him to continue to make a positive
impact on this organization in distinctly new and meaningful
ways."
In 54 regular-season games with the Yankees, Boone hit .254 with
six homers, 31 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
Boone was a third baseman from 1997 to 2009 and an All-Star in
2003, when New York acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds at the
trade deadline.
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