There was wide expectation that Yankees manager Aaron Boone wouldn’t let Red Sox skipper Alex Cora go scott-free over targeting Aaron Judge. However, Cora got off the hook after MLB failed to take action against him and Boone also didn’t voice his opposition to this decision.
During a pre-game media session at T-Mobile Park, the Yankees manager found himself answering a playful question from the team’s TV commentator, Michael Kay. The Yankees voice lightheartedly asked whether Boone would have confronted Red Sox manager Alex Cora if Boston’s pitcher had actually hit Aaron Judge instead of just throwing behind him during Saturday’s game at Yankee Stadium. That pitch was seen as retaliation for Gerrit Cole hitting Boston’s Rafael Devers earlier in the game.
Boone responded with humor, joking about “pummeling” Cora before quickly clarifying that he was only kidding. “Oh, I would have pummeled him,” the Yankees manager told but added, “No, no.”
Son Kay moved the discussion to Cora’s recent comments, where he all but admitted to targeting Judge. He also questioned why MLB opted not to discipline the Red Sox manager. When asked about the league’s decision, Boone made it clear he wanted to move on from the incident. The Yankees manager acknowledged that MLB likely reviewed the situation thoroughly and emphasized it wasn’t the Yankees’ place to dwell on it.
“I feel like we’re past (last) weekend,” Boone said. “I’m sure Major League Baseball did what they thought was best and looked into it, and it’s not for us to really get involved, especially anymore.”
Yankees’ Boone surprisingly downplays MLB inaction
As the Yankees began their series in Seattle, they were focused on securing a playoff berth, needing just two wins in three games. They held a three-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East, while the Red Sox, trailing four games behind the final wild card spot with 12 games remaining, faced long odds for a postseason appearance.
Boone stressed the importance of staying focused on the Yankees’ current goals, noting that they were unlikely to face the Red Sox again this season. He said it was essential to keep their priorities on achieving their objectives rather than getting caught up in past events.
“Chances are we’re not going to play them anymore this year,” he said. “We’ve got too much important things going on in front of us right now to really get caught up in that.”
Regarding his relationship with Cora, Boone expressed confidence that their recent run-in wouldn’t affect their rapport. the Yankees skipper acknowledged the intensity of their roles as rival managers but emphasized their mutual respect. Boone highlighted their years of competing since 2018, noting that their shared understanding of the game’s competitive nature has always allowed them to maintain a professional and respectful relationship.
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