Yankees’ Boston doubleheader win a record for both Boone, his team

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On Tuesday, Gleyber Torres played a pivotal role in guiding the Yankees to their first doubleheader sweep at Fenway Park since 2006. This impressive performance by Torres helped New York secure victories over the Boston Red Sox with scores of 3-2 and 4-1 on Tuesday. Not only did this achievement boost manager Aaron Boone to his 500th managerial win, but it also elevated the New York Yankees above the .500 mark.

Following a rainout that postponed the series opener, the Yankees took to the field for the first game wearing caps as a tribute to the first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The opening game witnessed a paid attendance of just 30,029, marking the lowest turnout at Fenway Park for a Red Sox-Yankees matchup since May 27, 1999, excluding the restricted crowds during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Game 2 fared slightly better with an attendance of 30,392.

Jhony Brito (7-7) showcased his pitching prowess by delivering a three-hit ball over 2 1/3 scoreless innings and the Yankees won 3-2. In the ninth inning, Clay Holmes walked the bases loaded with only one out, but Alex Verdugo grounded a first-pitch sinker to Torres at second. Torres swiftly threw to shortstop Anthony Volpe for a forceout at second, and LeMahieu stretched to make the throw to first, securing Holmes’s 19th save in 22 opportunities.

Torres emerged as the hero of the day, driving in two crucial runs with a go-ahead single in the sixth inning of the opener and initiating a game-ending double play with the bases loaded. In the night game, Torres continued to shine by scoring the go-ahead run on a bases-loaded grounder in the sixth and contributing an RBI single in the ninth.

Remarkably, the New York Yankees, who had struggled against the Red Sox throughout the year with a 1-8 series record, managed to level the playing field when they swept the doubleheader 4-1. Their record now stands at 73-72, matching that of the Boston Red Sox, after residing in fifth place in the AL East since August 9th.

Yankees last sweep on August 18, 2006, was historic

Prior to Tuesday’s extraordinary feat, it had been a considerable stretch since the team last managed a doubleheader sweep at Fenway Park, dating back to August 18, 2006. In their previous triumph, Derek Jeter played a pivotal role by delivering a bases-clearing double during the Yankees’ remarkable seven-run seventh inning. This impressive comeback allowed the Yankees to overcome a three-run deficit and emerge victorious over the Boston Red Sox with a final score of 14-11, completing a sweep of the day-night doubleheader that took place on that memorable Friday.

In that historic doubleheader, the Yankees secured a 14-11 victory over the Boston Red Sox, resulting in a season-high lead of 3½ games in the division. The nightcap, lasting an astonishing 4 hours and 45 minutes, etched its name in the annals of baseball history as the longest nine-inning game ever played.

The teams combined for an astounding 41 runs and 61 hits, with no fewer than 20 pitchers (including Mike Myers and Scott Proctor, who took the mound twice) collectively delivering a staggering 783 pitches. In total, the teams engaged in an epic 8 hours and 40 minutes of baseball.

Johnny Damon emerged as a standout performer for the Yankees, contributing six of the team’s 34 hits on that unforgettable day, which included a pair of two-run homers. Bobby Abreu also played a pivotal role, notching four hits to lead the Yankees to a resounding 12-4 victory in the early game. He continued his stellar performance in the sequel, adding two more hits as the Yankees solidified their position atop the division standings after the five-game series.

It’s worth noting that, due to the park being cleared between the two games, the Elias Sports Bureau does not officially classify it as a doubleheader.

Jeter, who had three hits in the opener, remained hitless in the second game until a crucial moment when he lined a shot down the right-field line against Mike Timlin (5-3), thereby securing the lead for the Yankees. Mike Myers (1-0) played a crucial role in the game, getting just two outs—David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez—but fortuitously being on the mound when the Yankees launched their comeback.

The night game saw Boston trailing at various points, including deficits of 5-1 and 7-5 before taking a 10-7 lead in the fifth inning. However, the Yankees mounted a remarkable offensive surge in the seventh, sending 11 batters to the plate against Craig Hansen and Timlin. Although Damon was eventually retired with a pop-out, Jeter’s pivotal contribution made it 11-10 in favor of the Yankees.

Damon, who had helped Boston secure the 2004 World Series victory, kicked off the day’s proceedings with a triple in the opening game, setting the tone for the historic doubleheader.

500th managerial win for Aaron Boone

Aaron John Boone, hailing from a rich baseball lineage as the son of former MLB player Bob Boone, solidified his managerial record, reaching an impressive milestone of 500 wins out of 853 games managed over six seasons.

Boone, known for his right-right batting and throwing style, etched his name into baseball history with a walk-off home run during the unforgettable 2003 ALCS. His Major League Baseball playing career spanned 13 seasons from 1997 to 2009. Of these seasons, Boone’s standout moment came in 2003, especially during his tenure with the New York Yankees. In that remarkable year, he earned All-Star recognition (albeit while playing for the Cincinnati Reds) and sealed his place in baseball lore with the iconic walk-off home run that clinched the 2003 American League Championship Series.

Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, the New York Yankees opted not to renew Joe Girardi’s contract as manager. They appointed Boone as his successor on December 4, 2017. Boone’s managerial debut for the Yankees in 2018 saw a 6–1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. However, on September 2, 2018, he faced a one-game suspension for an instance of illegal contact with an umpire. His inaugural season at the helm concluded with a commendable 100–62 record, securing second place in the American League East and leading the Yankees to the wild card game against the Oakland Athletics. In this crucial encounter, the Yankees emerged victorious, granting Boone his first postseason managerial win. However, their postseason journey was cut short as the Boston Red Sox defeated them three games to one in the American League Division Series.

The 2019 season commenced with the Yankees asserting their dominance with a 7–2 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles. They clinched the American League East, marking their first AL East Division Championship since 2012, and achieved their 100th win. Boone made history by becoming the first manager in MLB to achieve 100 or more wins in each of his first two seasons. Nevertheless, their postseason quest encountered a roadblock as they succumbed to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.

Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, Boone found himself as the runner-up for the American League Manager of the Year award, narrowly trailing behind Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

Amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Yankees, alongside the other 29 Major League Baseball teams, found themselves embarking on an abbreviated 60-game regular season. The Yankees commenced this unique campaign with a blistering 16–6 start, fueling early hopes. However, a challenging stretch followed, as they dropped 15 of their next 20 games, resulting in an even 21–21 record. With a late-season surge of 10 consecutive wins, they concluded the season with a 33–27 record, securing the second spot in their division, trailing the division-winning Tampa Bay Rays by seven games. Their wild card journey began with a resounding sweep of the Cleveland Indians, propelling them into the ALDS against the formidable Tampa Bay Rays, but their struggles persisted, culminating in an elimination after a five-game series.

The 2021 season saw the Yankees oscillating between highs and lows, earning them the label of one of the “streakiest teams in recent memory.” Their season ultimately culminated in a 92–70 record. A standout moment occurred between August 14 and 28, as the Yankees clinched an impressive 13 consecutive victories, ranking as the fifth-longest winning streak in franchise history. Despite their spirited efforts, they finished tied for second place in the American League East, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays. However, their playoff aspirations were dashed in the wild card game, where they succumbed to the Boston Red Sox with a final score of 6–2. Postseason disappointments notwithstanding, manager Boone committed to the Yankees by signing a three-year contract with a club option for 2025.

In 2022, Boone found himself in the unusual position of being ejected from games nine times, a staggering four more times than any other MLB manager. Notwithstanding this turbulent season, the Yankees managed to clinch the top spot in the AL East, securing home-field advantage for Games 1, 2, and 5 of the ALDS. They battled their way to a hard-fought victory against the Cleveland Guardians in a five-game series but faced an unceremonious sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros in the ALCS. This marked Boone’s fifth consecutive postseason exit.

The 2023 season has proven to be a challenging one for Boone and his team. His ejections have reached six, tying the record for the most by any manager in MLB, alongside David Bell of the Reds. This dubious distinction places Boone in the MLB record books for the third-highest ejection rate among managers. Despite continued support from players, fans are increasingly vocal in their calls for his resignation. The Yankees find themselves mired in what could become their worst season in four decades, adding to the mounting pressure on Boone’s leadership.

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