The 2024 season ended on a bittersweet note for Aaron Boone. While the Yankees reached their first pennant since 2009, they fell short of a championship after losing to the Dodgers in five games during the World Series. To add to the disappointment, Boone tied for fifth in the AL Manager of the Year Award voting, a modest showing in a season filled with highs and lows.
Pat Murphy and Stephen Vogt dominate Manager of the Year voting
This year’s Manager of the Year honors spotlighted two first-year skippers. Pat Murphy of the Brewers earned the NL award with 17 first-place votes and 128 points, appearing on all 30 ballots. Padres manager Mike Shildt placed second with 87 points, while Carlos Mendoza of the Mets, another rookie manager, finished third with 35 points. Mendoza’s debut season saw the Mets rebound from a dismal 2023 to claim a Wild Card spot and advance to the NLCS before losing to the eventual champions, the Dodgers.
In the AL, Stephen Vogt of the Guardians won decisively, earning 27 of 30 first-place votes and 135 points. His transformative leadership in Cleveland made him a runaway winner. Matt Quatraro of the Royals and A.J. Hinch of the Tigers followed in second and third. Aaron Boone, alongside Mark Kotsay of the Athletics, tied for fifth with just three points from a lone second-place vote.
Boone’s tactical moves in 2024
Despite his middling placement in the voting, Boone demonstrated boldness in decision-making during the season. He trusted Luke Weaver as the closer late in the season, gave Clay Holmes opportunities to regain his high-leverage role, and assigned rookie Austin Wells the starting catcher job. Additionally, he moved Gleyber Torres to the leadoff spot, took a risk with Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base, and handed Luis Gil the fifth starter role out of spring training.
These decisions weren’t without collaboration from the Yankees’ front office, but Boone deserves recognition for implementing them. Trust has always been a cornerstone of his management style, often boosting player confidence and fostering a supportive environment.
However, trust alone couldn’t mask the Yankees’ recurring issues with fundamentals. The team’s poor baserunning and defensive lapses plagued them throughout 2024. Boone’s reluctance to publicly hold players accountable has been criticized as a potential factor in the team’s inconsistencies. While he benched Torres for failing to hustle in August, such actions were rare, leaving questions about the culture he fosters.
The Yankees’ flaws were on full display in the World Series. The Dodgers capitalized on their opponent’s defensive errors, with reliever Joe Kelly dubbing the Yankees’ struggles “Yankee defense.” The fifth-inning collapse in Game 5 highlighted their inability to execute fundamental plays, underscoring the gap between their talent and their performance under pressure.
While Boone deserves credit for leading the Yankees to their first pennant in over a decade, his tenure remains a topic of debate. The team’s failure to meet its potential in critical moments raises questions about his ability to lead them to a championship.
As Aaron Boone prepares for the 2025 season, the pressure to deliver will only intensify. For the Yankees, winning isn’t just the goal—it’s the expectation. Boone’s future may hinge on whether he can finally guide the Bronx Bombers back to the top.
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