In baseball , the field manager (commonly referred to as the manager ) is the equivalent of a head coach who is responsible for overseeing and making final decisions on all aspects of on-field team strategy, lineup selection, training and instruction. Managers are typically assisted by a staff of assistant coaches whose responsibilities are specialized. Field managers are typically not involved in off-field personnel decisions or long-term club planning, responsibilities that are instead held by a team's general manager .
106-614: As manager Aaron John Boone (born March 9, 1973) is an American baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2009. As a player, Boone is most recognized for his 2003 campaign with the Yankees, during which he hit the winning walk-off home run of the 2003 American League Championship Series . Following
212-680: A $ 1 million signing bonus . In 1994, Rodriguez made his professional baseball debut as a minor league player with the Appleton Foxes of the Class A Midwest League . He was promoted to the Jacksonville Suns of the Class AA Southern League . He played in 17 games for Jacksonville, then was promoted to Calgary for 32 games before moving up to the major leagues. On July 8, 1994, Rodriguez debuted in
318-555: A .316 batting average. He set a career high for walks (100) and became the only shortstop to have 100 runs, RBI, and walks in the same season. He hit well in the playoffs as well (.409 batting average and .773 slugging percentage), but Seattle lost to the New York Yankees in the 2000 American League Championship Series . He was selected as the Major League Player of the Year by Baseball America and finished third in
424-542: A 13–15 record in Rodriguez' absence, and his return fortified the lineup and provided much-needed protection for three-hole hitter Mark Teixeira , who was a notoriously slow starter. Rodriguez also supplied some late-game heroics. On May 16, his two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning gave the Yankees a 6–4 win over the Minnesota Twins . One week later, he hit a game-tying solo home run in
530-495: A 2007 interview that he had ever used performance-enhancing drugs, Rodriguez admitted in 2009 to having used steroids , saying he used them from 2001 to 2003 when playing for the Rangers due to "an enormous amount of pressure" to perform. While recovering from a hip injury in 2013, Rodriguez made headlines by feuding with team management over his rehabilitation and for having allegedly obtained performance-enhancing drugs as part of
636-424: A Yankee since Tony Lazzeri established the franchise and American League record with 11 on May 24, 1936. Rodriguez became the 11th major leaguer to accomplish the feat. Rodriguez won his second AL MVP Award in three seasons, becoming the fifth player to win this award with two different teams, joining Mickey Cochrane , Jimmie Foxx, Frank Robinson and Barry Bonds. He also became the first AL player from outside
742-452: A few days earlier) was used to review the play and uphold the umpires' ruling. He was one of only four batters in the AL to have at least 18 home runs and 18 stolen bases in both 2007 and 2008, along with Torii Hunter , Ian Kinsler , and Grady Sizemore . Rodriguez hit a home run every 14.6 at-bats in 2008, the second-best ratio on the team behind Jason Giambi . Rodriguez played 138 games during
848-416: A free agent again. Rodriguez had repeatedly stated during the 2007 season that he would like to remain a Yankee for the rest of his career. On October 28, 2007, Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras , announced that he would not renew his contract with the Yankees citing that he "was unsure of the future composition" of the team. Because of the opt-out, the Yankees also lost $ 21.3 million in remaining payments from
954-519: A member of the ABC News network. In January 2018, ESPN announced that Rodriguez would be joining the broadcast team of Sunday Night Baseball . In January 2017, CNBC announced Rodriguez would be the host of the show Back In The Game , where he would help former athletes make a comeback in their personal lives; the first episode debuted on the network in March 2018. Rodriguez was born in 1975 in
1060-476: A more dangerous hitter. In the Yankees' fourth game of the season, Rodriguez hit two home runs against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium , including his 14th-career grand slam to end the game. The walk-off grand slam was the third of his career, tying the major league mark for game-ending grand slams shared by Vern Stephens and Cy Williams . Rodriguez also began the season by becoming
1166-524: A one-year $ 750,000, plus incentives, deal with the Houston Astros. He played in only 10 games in 2009, reaching base only once—on a hit by pitch —in 14 plate appearances. In March 2009, Boone underwent open-heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve , a condition that he has been aware of since childhood, but which routine tests indicated had recently worsened. Boone stated that doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovered, but he
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#17327986549031272-626: A player (often the catcher ) to make some or all of these decisions. Some managers choose to act as their team's first base or third base coach while their team is batting in order to more closely communicate with baserunners , but most managers delegate this responsibility to an assistant. Managers are typically assisted by two or more coaches. In many cases, a manager is a former professional, semi-professional or college player. From 1901 to 1981, 21% of MLB managers had played catcher during their playing career--the most common. Outfielders made up 16.6% and second basemen made up 13% of managers. Over
1378-451: A season. His 43.9 Power-speed number was, through at least 2008, the highest single season Power/Speed Number ever. He was selected as Players Choice AL Player of the Year, won his second Silver Slugger Award , and finished ninth in the MVP voting. In 1999, Rodriguez had a .310 average, 42 home runs, and 111 RBIs, despite missing over 30 games with an injury and playing the second half of
1484-638: A shortstop, surpassing Ernie Banks ' record of 47 in 1958, and also the most ever for an infielder other than a first baseman, breaking Phillies 3B Mike Schmidt 's mark of 48 in 1980. It was his fifth 30-homer campaign, tying Banks for most ever by a shortstop. He also tied for the league lead in extra-base hits (87) and ranked third in RBIs (135) and slugging (.622). He was also among the AL leaders in hits (fourth, 201), average (seventh, .318), and on-base percentage (eighth, .399). He established Rangers club records for homers, runs, total bases, and hit by pitches , had
1590-685: A wrist injury. On October 3, 2018, the Yankees defeated the Athletics 7–2 to advance to the American League Division Series , giving Boone his first postseason win as a manager. The Boston Red Sox eliminated the New York Yankees three–games–to–one in the American League Division Series en route to a World Series victory. The Yankees started the 2019 season with a 7–2 win against the Baltimore Orioles on March 28, 2019. On September 19, after winning against
1696-553: Is an American former professional baseball player and businessman, who played as shortstop and third baseman . Rodriguez played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners (1994–2000), Texas Rangers (2001–2003), and New York Yankees (2004–2013, 2015–2016). Rodriguez is the chairman and chief executive officer of A-Rod Corp as well as the chairman of Presidente beer. He
1802-509: The 2014 and 2015 World Series for ESPN Radio with play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman . Jessica Mendoza and he became color commentators on Sunday Night Baseball with Shulman in 2016. Boone and Shulman continued to call World Series games for ESPN Radio through 2017. After the 2017 season , the Yankees decided not to retain Joe Girardi as their manager ; they hired Boone to succeed him on December 4, 2017. The Yankees started
1908-639: The 2018 season with a 6–1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 29, 2018. On September 2, 2018, Boone was suspended for one game for making illegal contact with an umpire. He finished his first season with a 100–62 record, good for second in the American League East, and led the Yankees to the wild card game against the Oakland Athletics , despite losing star outfielder and team leader Aaron Judge for two months with
2014-475: The AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award . He finished three points behind González (290–287), matching the second closest AL MVP voting in history. In 1997, Rodriguez batted .300 with 23 home runs and 84 RBIs. He hit for the cycle on June 5, becoming the second Mariner, and at 21 years, 10 months, the fifth-youngest player in history, to accomplish the feat. He was the fan's choice to start
2120-520: The All-Star Game at shortstop for the AL team, becoming the first player other than Ripken to start at shortstop in 13 years. It was the first All-Star start of his career and his second All-Star Game in two years. Rodriguez rebounded in 1998, when he set the AL record for homers by a shortstop and became just the third member of the 40–40 club , (with 42 home runs and 46 stolen bases) and one of just 3 shortstops in history to hit 40 home runs in
2226-718: The American League West to win the award since Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox won in 1995. Rodriguez was also named the shortstop on the Major League Baseball Latino Legends Team in 2005. Prior to the season, Rodriguez opted to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic . Rodriguez was again an All-Star in 2006. His 2,000th hit, on July 21, 2006 − six days prior to his 31st birthday −
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#17327986549032332-475: The Biogenesis baseball scandal . In August 2013, MLB announced a 211-game suspension for Rodriguez for his involvement in the scandal. After an arbitration hearing, the suspension was reduced to 162 games, which kept him off the field for the entire 2014 season. After retiring as a player, Rodriguez became a media personality, serving as a broadcaster for Fox Sports 1 , a cast member of Shark Tank and
2438-570: The Los Angeles Angels 9–1, the Yankees clinched the American League East, becoming AL East Division Champions for the first time since 2012 and also earning their 100th win. Boone became the first manager in MLB history to have 100 or more wins in each of his first two seasons. The Yankees went on to lose to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series. Following the 2019 season, Boone
2544-855: The Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League , where he was named a league all-star and helped lead Orleans to the league championship . The Cincinnati Reds selected Boone in the third round of the 1994 MLB draft . Boone made his MLB debut in June 1997, and was ejected from the game after being called out sliding into home. On the last day of the 1998 season, the Reds started the only MLB infield composed of two sets of brothers: first baseman Stephen Larkin , second baseman Bret Boone , shortstop Barry Larkin , and third baseman Aaron Boone. On September 22, 2002, Boone hit
2650-592: The Tampa Bay Rays , but their struggles against the Rays continued, as they were eliminated in five games. During the 2021 season, the Yankees had what was called one of the "streakiest [teams] in recent memory. Through July 4, the team struggled to a 41–41 record with half of the season left to play, then went on a 51–29 run to end the season at 92–70. Between August 14 and 28, the Yankees won 13 consecutive games, tied for fifth-longest in franchise history. Following
2756-481: The University of Miami baseball scholarship offer and never played college baseball , opting instead to sign with the Seattle Mariners after being selected first overall in the 1993 amateur draft at the age of 17. The Seattle Mariners selected Rodriguez with the first overall selection of the 1993 Major League Baseball draft . The Mariners signed him to a three-year contract worth $ 1.3 million, and
2862-542: The Washington Heights section of Manhattan to Dominican immigrants Víctor Manuel Rodríguez Marcano and Lourdes Nelly Navarro Melo from San Juan de la Maguana , Dominican Republic. He was raised alongside his two half-siblings, Joe and Suzy, from his mother's first marriage. In 1979, when he was four years old, the family moved to the Dominican Republic, then to Miami , Florida, when he was in
2968-636: The fourth grade . His father played baseball for a team in the Dominican Republic and introduced him to the sport as a child. Growing up, Rodriguez's favorite baseball players were Keith Hernandez , Dale Murphy , and Cal Ripken Jr. , and his favorite team was the New York Mets . At the end of his freshman year at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Rodriguez transferred to Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay, Florida , where he
3074-472: The "basic framework" of a 10-year, $ 275 million contract that would have him playing until he was 42. The contract, finalized December 13, included various multimillion-dollar incentives for breaking career home run milestones. Rodriguez hit his 549th home run in a September 3, 2008, game against the Tampa Bay Rays . The opposing manager objected that the ball was foul, and for the first time in MLB history, instant replay (a process officially introduced
3180-399: The 2004 ALDS , Rodriguez was a dominant hitter against the Minnesota Twins , batting .421 and slugging .737 while delivering two key extra-inning hits. Following the series win, Rodriguez's first season with the Yankees culminated in a dramatic playoff series against the team he had almost ended up playing for: the Yankees' bitter rival , the Boston Red Sox . In that series (ALCS) he equaled
3286-636: The 2006 season. In his second season with Cleveland, he batted .251 with seven home runs. On December 29, 2006, Boone signed a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins worth $ 925,000. He batted .286 in 69 games for the Marlins in 2007. On December 6, 2007, Boone signed a one-year, $ 1,000,000 contract with the Washington Nationals. In 104 games, Boone hit .241 with 6 home runs and 28 RBIs in 2008. On December 18, 2008, Boone signed
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3392-422: The 2008 season with a .302 average, 35 home runs, 103 RBI, and an AL best .573 slugging percentage. On February 7, 2009, Sports Illustrated reported that Rodriguez tested positive for testosterone and the anabolic steroid Primobolan in 2003. Rodriguez's name appears on a government-sealed list of 104 major-league players (out of 1200 tested ) who came up positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The report
3498-423: The 2009 season, Rodriguez was scheduled to represent the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic , but he was forced to withdraw when an MRI revealed a cyst in his right hip. When he went to have the cyst drained, it was discovered that he was also suffering from a torn labrum in the same hip. Rodriguez opted to undergo an arthroscopic procedure with a recovery period of six to nine weeks, instead of
3604-557: The 24 Hall of Fame managers, 20 were Major League players before becoming managers (the exceptions being Jim Leyland , Joe McCarthy , Frank Selee , and Earl Weaver ). The most recent manager to be elected was Leyland, who was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee in 2024 . Alex Rodriguez Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez (born July 27, 1975), nicknamed " A-Rod ",
3710-479: The AL MVP Award. His combination of power, speed, and defense made him a cornerstone of the franchise, but he left the team via free agency after the 2000 season to join the Rangers. The 10-year, $ 252 million contract he signed was the richest in baseball history at the time. He played at a high level in his three years with Texas, highlighted by his first AL MVP Award win in 2003, but the team failed to make
3816-546: The AL MVP voting. Rodriguez became a free agent after the 2000 season. He eventually signed with the Texas Rangers , who had fallen to last place in their division in 2000. The contract was at the time the most lucrative contract in sports history: a 10-year deal worth $ 252 million (equivalent to $ 446 million in 2023). The deal was worth $ 63 million more than the second-richest baseball deal. The contract
3922-466: The AL in home runs (54), RBIs (156), slugging percentage (.645), OPS (1.067), total bases (376), and times on base (299), and was second in hit by pitch (21), extra-base hits (85), and at bats per home run (10.8), fourth in on-base percentage (.422) and sacrifice flies (9), seventh in walks (95) and plate appearances (708), eighth in intentional walks (11), and ninth in games (158). He led MLB in home runs and won his third Babe Ruth Home Run Award. After
4028-483: The MVP balloting to fellow shortstop Miguel Tejada , whose 103-win Oakland Athletics won the same division. The 2003 season was Rodriguez's last year with the Rangers. He led the American League in home runs, runs scored, and slugging percentage, and won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award . He also led the league in fewest at-bats per home run (12.9) and became the youngest player to hit 300 homers. He
4134-502: The Major Leagues since Hank Aaron did it in 13 straight seasons from 1955 to 1967, and the longest in the American League since Mickey Mantle did it also in nine straight seasons from 1953 to 1961. During the 2004 season, he also became the youngest player ever to reach 350 home runs and the third youngest to reach 1,000 RBIs. He was elected to the 2004 American League All-Star Team, the eighth All-Star selection of his career and
4240-550: The Mariners' regular shortstop and had his breakout season. He led the American League (AL) with a .358 batting average , the highest for an AL right-handed batter since Joe DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939 and the third-highest ever for a shortstop. He also had 36 home runs with 123 RBIs. At 21 years and one month, he was the 3rd youngest AL batting leader ever behind Al Kaline (20) in 1955 and Ty Cobb (20) in 1907, and
4346-634: The Mariners, compiling a .204 batting average, two RBIs, and three stolen bases. In August, The Mariners optioned Rodriguez to the Calgary Cannons of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL). In 32 games for Calgary, he had 37 hits in 119 at-bats for a .311 batting average. He also compiled six home runs and 21 RBIs. Rodriguez split most of the 1995 season between the Mariners and the Tacoma Rainiers of
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4452-634: The PCL. He connected for his first major league home run off Kansas City's Tom Gordon on June 12. Rodriguez permanently joined the major league roster in August and got his first taste of postseason play, albeit just two at-bats. Again, he was the youngest player in Major League Baseball. During the 1995 season, Rodriguez played in 48 games, batting .232 with five home runs, 19 RBI, and four stolen bases. The following year, Rodriguez took over as
4558-699: The Rangers as part of their agreement from the 2004 trade. Rodriguez received a slew of criticism from fans and writers alike not only for opting out, but also for not meeting with Yankee management before he did. He was further criticized for the timing of his announcement, during the eighth inning of Game 4 of the World Series , as the Boston Red Sox were wrapping up their victory over the Colorado Rockies ; even MLB's chief operating officer, Bob DuPuy, called it an attempt by Boras to "try to put his selfish interests and that of one individual player above
4664-510: The Texas Rangers and wished he had signed with the New York Mets instead, and that he had heeded the advice of his agent, Scott Boras . (See Opt out controversy .) Rodriguez's power-hitting numbers improved with his move to the Texas Rangers. In his first season there, Rodriguez produced one of the top offensive seasons ever for a shortstop, leading the American League with 52 home runs, 133 runs scored, and 393 total bases. He became
4770-494: The Yankees released Boone on February 27, 2004. Boone signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians in June 2004. He earned $ 600,000 for 2004, $ 3 million for the 2005 season, and a club option for the 2006 season worth $ 4.5 million. After missing the entire 2004 season, Boone played 154 games in 2005. He batted .243 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs. The Indians exercised an option on Boone's contract for
4876-466: The Yankees, Rodriguez hit .286 with 36 home runs, 106 RBIs, 112 runs scored and 28 stolen bases. He became one of only three players in Major League history to compile at least 35 home runs, 100 runs and 100 RBIs in seven consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famers Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx. The 112 runs marked the ninth straight season in which he scored at least 100 runs, the longest such streak in
4982-485: The Year and as Gatorade 's national baseball student-athlete of the year. In 1993, Rodriguez became the first high school player to try out for the United States national baseball team . He was regarded as the top prospect in the country. Rodriguez signed a letter of intent to play baseball for University of Miami and was also recruited by Miami to play quarterback for its football team . Rodriguez turned down
5088-544: The award. Following the 2003 season, Texas set out to part ways with Rodriguez and his expensive contract. The Rangers initially agreed to a trade with the Boston Red Sox , sending Rodriguez to Boston for Manny Ramirez , 19-year old pitching prospect Jon Lester , and cash considerations. However, the Major League Baseball Players Association vetoed the deal because it called for a voluntary reduction in salary by Rodriguez. Despite
5194-420: The ball and ran towards Rodriguez to apply a tag. As Arroyo reached towards him, Rodriguez swatted at his glove, knocking the ball loose. As the ball rolled away, Jeter scored all the way from first as Rodriguez took second on the play, which was initially ruled an error on Arroyo. However, the umpires quickly huddled, then ruled that Rodriguez was out for interference. Jeter was sent back to first base, and his run
5300-488: The bottom of the ninth off Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge in a game the Yankees would go on to win, 5–4. By early June, the Yankees had surged to first place in the AL East . The club's fortunes changed later in the month, when Rodriguez fell into a slump that saw his batting average plummet as the Yankees fell to second place. On June 23, Rodriguez became the eighth active player to reach 8,000 career at-bats in
5406-464: The brother of All Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Bret Boone , the brother of former Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer Matt Boone, and the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone . As children, Aaron and Bret spent time in the Phillies clubhouse with fellow sons of other major league players, including Pete Rose Jr. Boone is a descendant of pioneer Daniel Boone . Boone's wife, Laura Cover ,
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#17327986549035512-564: The conclusion of his playing career, Boone was an analyst for ESPN 's Sunday Night Baseball and Baseball Tonight from 2010 to 2017. He began serving as the Yankees' manager in 2018, leading the team to two 100-win records during his first two seasons and playoff appearances in the first five. In 2024, Boone led the team to their first World Series appearance since 2009 and lost. Boone attended Villa Park High School in Villa Park, California . He batted .423 with 22 stolen bases for
5618-493: The failed deal with the Red Sox, the Rangers named him team captain during that off-season. Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone suffered a knee injury while playing a game of pickup basketball that sidelined him for the entire 2004 season, creating a hole at third base. On February 15, 2004, the Rangers traded Rodriguez to the New York Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later ( Joaquín Árias
5724-534: The feat in nine straight seasons from 1932 to 1940). Rodriguez established the franchise record for most home runs in a single season by a right-handed batter (broke Joe DiMaggio 's mark of 46 in 1937). His 47 home runs from the third base position are a single-season American League record. Rodriguez hit 26 home runs at Yankee Stadium in 2005, establishing the single-season club record for right-handed batters (previously held by DiMaggio in 1937 and Gary Sheffield in 2004). On June 8, at 29 years, 316 days old, he became
5830-495: The final week of the 1940 major league baseball season. On September 25, Rodriguez became the fifth Major League player to record a 50-home run, 150-RBI season when he hit a grand slam. As of 2024, Rodriguez is the most recent player to have recorded at least 150 RBIs in one season. In 2007, Rodriguez became the first player in major league history to have at least 35 home runs, 100 runs, and 100 RBIs in 10 consecutive seasons, surpassing Jimmie Foxx (nine consecutive seasons). He led
5936-399: The first as a third baseman . On July 24, 2004, Rodriguez was hit by a pitch from Bronson Arroyo , which led to a scuffle with Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek , and a bench-clearing brawl between both teams. On defense, he had the lowest range factor among non- platoon AL third basemen (2.39) in his first year at the position. He finished 14th in balloting for the AL MVP Award. In
6042-790: The first half of the season by the All-Star Game and potentially headed to 100 wins. They proceeded to win 35 of their next 70 games to finish with 99 wins and an AL East title. They earned home-field advantage in Games 1, 2, and 5 of the ALDS. They beat the Cleveland Guardians in five games, but got swept by the Houston Astros in the ALCS, marking Boone's fifth-straight playoff exit. MLB suspended Boone for one game on May 26, 2023, for his conduct towards umpires after his fourth ejection of
6148-411: The first player since 1932 with 50 homers and 200 hits in a season, the third shortstop to ever lead the league in homers, and the second AL player in the last 34 seasons (beginning 1968) to lead the league in runs, homers, and total bases; his total base figure is the most ever for a major league shortstop. His 52 homers made him the sixth youngest to ever reach 50 homers and were the highest total ever by
6254-599: The general manager is often called the GM. This usage dates back to the early days of professional baseball when it was common practice for teams to have just one "manager" on their staff, and where GM duties were performed either by the field manager or (more commonly) by the owner of the team. Some owners (most famously, Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics ) carried out both GM and field managerial duties themselves. Major League Baseball managers differ from
6360-526: The head coaches of most other professional sports in that they dress in the same uniform as the players and are assigned a jersey number. The wearing of a matching uniform is frequently practiced at other levels of play, as well. The manager may be called " skipper " or "skip" informally by his players. There have been 24 people who have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum primarily for their careers as managers. Of
6466-450: The highest totals ever for a shortstop in runs, hits, doubles, extra-base hits, and slugging, and tied most total bases, and established Seattle club records for average, runs, hits, doubles, and total bases, in a season that statistical analysts consider the best ever by a shortstop. The Sporting News and Associated Press selected Rodriguez as their Major League Player of the Year. He finished second to Juan González in balloting for
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#17327986549036572-614: The last home run in Riverfront Stadium in the eighth inning of the Reds' 4–3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies , a solo home run off reliever Dan Plesac . Boone hit a career-high 26 home runs in 2002, playing in all 162 games. The Reds named Boone their team's most valuable player . He appeared in the 2003 MLB All-Star Game . The New York Yankees acquired Boone from the Reds for Brandon Claussen , Charlie Manning , and cash on July 31, 2003. In 54 games after
6678-513: The major leagues as a starting shortstop, just the third 18-year-old major league shortstop since 1900. He was also the first 18-year-old major league player in 10 years, and the youngest position player in Seattle history. As of 2021, he is the most recent player to appear in an MLB game at the age of 18. Rodriguez recorded his first major league hit when he singled off of Sergio Valdez on July 9 at Fenway Park . Rodriguez played in 17 games for
6784-562: The most ever for a shortstop for the second straight year. He won the Babe Ruth Home Run Award for leading MLB in homers that season. He also won his first Gold Glove Award , awarded for outstanding defense. His 109 home runs in 2001–02 are the most ever by an American League right-handed batter in consecutive seasons. However, the Rangers finished last in the AL Western division in both years. He finished second in
6890-458: The ninth major leaguer—and first Yankee—to hit six home runs in the first seven games of the season. Rodriguez also became the first Yankee to hit seven home runs in the first ten games of the season. On April 23, Rodriguez became the first player in major league history to hit 14 home runs in a span of 18 games, and also tied the MLB record for most home runs in April. His total of 34 RBIs in April
6996-441: The only player in MLB history to achieve all of those feats. He was also a 14-time All-Star , winning three American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards , 10 Silver Slugger Awards , and two Gold Glove Awards . Rodriguez is also the career record holder for grand slams . He twice broke the record for the largest sports contract ever signed. He also admitted using banned performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003 and
7102-402: The overall good of the game." Teammate Mariano Rivera convinced Rodriguez to contact the New York Yankees ownership. He contacted them directly, bypassing Boras (Boras also apologized for the timing of the announcement). Subsequently, Rodriguez issued a statement on his website, saying that he wished to stay with the Yankees. On November 15, 2007, the New York Yankees and Rodriguez agreed on
7208-413: The playoffs during his tenure. Before the 2004 season, Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees, for whom he converted to a third baseman to accommodate their shortstop Derek Jeter . He was named AL MVP in 2005 and 2007. He opted out of his contract after the 2007 season, then signed a new 10-year, $ 275 million deal with the Yankees, breaking his own record for the sport's most lucrative contract. He became
7314-442: The previous year with a major league-best 57 home runs, 142 RBIs and 389 total bases in 2002, becoming the first player to lead the majors in all three categories since 1984. His nine home runs in April matched a team record that was shared (through 2008) with Iván Rodríguez (2000), Carl Everett (2003), and Ian Kinsler (2007). He had the sixth-most home runs in AL history, the most since Roger Maris ' league record 61 in 1961 and
7420-542: The procedure. Manager (baseball) The manager chooses the batting order and starting pitcher before each game, and makes substitutions throughout the game – among the most significant being those decisions regarding when to bring in a relief pitcher . How much control a manager takes in a game's strategy varies from manager to manager and from game to game. Some managers control pitch selection, defensive positioning , decisions to bunt , steal , pitch out , etc., while others designate an assistant coach or
7526-450: The same period, managers who were second basemen had the highest winning percentage. The manager's responsibilities normally are limited to in-game decisions, with off-field roster management and personnel decisions falling to the team's general manager . The term manager used without qualification almost always refers to the field manager (essentially equivalent to the head coach in other North American professional sports leagues), while
7632-531: The school's baseball team in his senior year, and was named the Century League 's co-player of the year. The California Angels selected Boone on the third day of the 1991 MLB draft , but he had no intention to sign a professional contract. He attended the University of Southern California (USC) and played college baseball for the USC Trojans . In 1993, he played collegiate summer baseball for
7738-590: The season at Safeco Field , a considerably less hitter-friendly ballpark than the Kingdome . At the time, he was the youngest-ever player to record 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases, at 23 years and 309 days of age. In April 2015, Mike Trout reached the same milestone at 23 years and 253 days old. Rodriguez entered 2000 as the cornerstone player of the Mariners franchise, which had recently traded superstars Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr. . Rodriguez put up great numbers, hitting 41 home runs with 132 RBIs and
7844-683: The season first in the American League East at 94–68, beat the Kansas City Royals in four games in the ALDS and Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALCS for their first AL Pennant and World Series appearance since 2009, where they subsequently lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. On November 8, 2024, the Yankees exercised the 2025 option clause for Boone. Boone is the son of former catcher and manager Bob Boone ,
7950-461: The season second in their division with a 33–27 record, seven games behind the division-champion Tampa Bay Rays , who they lost eight of 10 games to in the regular season, in the AL East, but good enough for the fifth seed in the American League due to MLB's postseason expansion for the season. The Yankees swept the Cleveland Indians in a best-of-three wild card series to advance to the ALDS against
8056-589: The season, Rodriguez finished fourth in the league in RBI (121), fifth in runs scored (113), eighth in home runs (35) and walks (90), and ninth in OBP (.392). He also led all AL third basemen in errors, with 24, and had the lowest fielding percentage (.937) and—for the third straight season—range factor (2.50) among them. Rodriguez also became the second player in Major League history to record at least 35 home runs, 100 runs, and 100 RBIs in nine consecutive seasons, joining Foxx. It
8162-557: The season, Rodriguez was named the AL MVP for the third time in his career, receiving 26 first-place votes out of a possible 28. He also won the Silver Slugger Award for his position, the Players Choice Award for Outstanding AL Player, and the Players Choice Award for Player of the Year. The 2007 season marked the last year of Rodriguez's 10-year, $ 252 million contract before he opted out and became
8268-449: The season, and second in four days, the prior day. As of June 9, Boone has the third-highest ejection rate in MLB history among managers, behind only Paul Richards and Frankie Frisch , and ahead of Earl Weaver , Bobby Cox , and Ron Gardenhire , managers who were all known for their proclivity for getting ejected. The team was eliminated from playoff contention for the first time under his management on September 24. The Yankees finished
8374-494: The second-most extra-base hits, and the fourth-highest RBI total. He led the club in runs, hits, doubles (34), homers, RBI, slugging, and on-base percentage and was second in walks (75), stolen bases (18), and game-winning RBI (14) while posting career highs for homers, RBI, and total bases. Rodriguez started 161 games at shortstop and one as the DH , the only major league player to start all of his team's games in 2001. Rodriguez followed
8480-554: The seventh inning of the Yankees and Braves game. On June 25, Rodriguez belted homer 563 of his career, off Atlanta Braves starter Derek Lowe , and tying Reggie Jackson for 11th on the all-time home run list. On June 26, Rodriguez surpassed Jackson for 11th on the all-time home run list, against the New York Mets in the Subway Series , and against the Angels on July 11, Rodriguez passed Rafael Palmeiro for 10th place; it
8586-468: The single-game post-season record with five runs scored in Game 3 at Boston. One of the most controversial plays of Rodriguez's career occurred late in Game 6 of the 2004 American League Championship Series . With one out and Derek Jeter on first base in the bottom of the eighth inning, Rodriguez hit a slow roller between the pitcher's mound and the first-base line. Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo fielded
8692-432: The third player to hit at least 100 home runs for three teams, following Reggie Jackson and Darrell Evans . Rodriguez hit his 500th career home run against pitcher Kyle Davies of the Kansas City Royals on August 4. Rodriguez became the youngest player ever to reach 500 home runs at 32 years, 8 days. He surpassed the nearly 67-year record held by Jimmie Foxx , who hit his 500th home run at 32 years, 338 days during
8798-552: The third-youngest player in history with 35+ homers. He was also the first major league shortstop to win a batting title since 1960, and the first in the AL since 1944. At age 20 years, 11 months, he was the youngest shortstop in All-Star Game history. He also led the AL in runs (141), total bases (379), and doubles (54) and ranked among the league leaders in base hits (second, 215), extra-base hits (second, 91), multi-hit games (third, 65), slugging (fourth, .631), RBI (eighth, 123), and on-base percentage (eighth, .414). Rodriguez posted
8904-626: The trade, he hit .254 with a .720 OPS, six home runs and 31 RBIs. During Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series (ALCS), Boone hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, off Tim Wakefield , which gave the Yankees a 6–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox , thus prolonging the Curse of the Bambino . The New York Daily News dubbed the play the "Curse of the Boonebino". This home run
9010-450: The usual three to four months. Although the procedure should have allowed him to make it through the season without any complications, he required a second, more extensive surgery in the off-season. After missing spring training and the first month of the season, Rodriguez returned to the Yankees in a May 8 game against the Baltimore Orioles and hit a three-run home run on the first pitch of his first at-bat. The Yankees had stumbled to
9116-567: The winning streak, the team stumbled, going 3–12 between August 28 and September 12, and finished tied for second in the American League East behind the Tampa Bay Rays, but lost the wild card game to the Boston Red Sox 6–2. Following the season, Boone signed a three-year contract with the Yankees with a club option for 2025. In 2022, he was ejected nine times, four times more than any other MLB manager. The Yankees were 64–28 in
9222-400: The year before to 9%. He made light of this fact during a Late Show with David Letterman sketch that was filmed during Spring training, which featured him shirtless being rubbed down with suntan lotion. He revealed to the press that he and Jeter were no longer close friends. Rodriguez also reduced his high leg kick at the plate, increasing his bat speed, making him less-apt to strike out and
9328-399: The youngest player in MLB history to reach the 400 home run mark. 2005 also marked the tenth straight season that Rodriguez scored at least 100 runs. On defense, however, he had the lowest range factor in the league at third for the second straight season (2.62). On April 26, Rodriguez hit three home runs off Angels ' pitcher Bartolo Colón and drove in 10 runs. The 10 RBIs were the most by
9434-430: The youngest player to hit 500 home runs , reaching the milestone in 2007. He helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies , which was Rodriguez's only championship title. Toward the end of his career, he was hampered by hip and knee injuries, which caused him to become exclusively a designated hitter. He played his final game in professional baseball on August 12, 2016. Despite denying in
9540-477: Was Rodriguez's 11th consecutive season with more than 100 runs scored, the longest such streak in American League history since Lou Gehrig did so in 13 straight seasons (1926–38). Despite this success, it was perceived as one of his lesser-accomplished seasons and was harshly criticized throughout the 2006 season. He has commented that 2006 was his most difficult season as a professional. When Rodriguez reported to camp in 2007, he had reduced his body fat from 16%
9646-475: Was a Playboy Playmate (Miss October 1998). Boone lived in Scottsdale, Arizona until becoming Yankees manager, when he moved to Greenwich, Connecticut . Boone and Cover have four children—two biological children and two adopted. Boone had open-heart surgery in 2009 and had surgery to implant a pacemaker in March 2021. Boone was quoted as feeling "awesome" after being on the bench for two weeks following
9752-510: Was a star shortstop on the baseball team and played quarterback on the football team. In 100 games he batted .419 with 90 stolen bases. Westminster won the high school national championship in his junior year. He was first team prep All-American as a senior, hitting .505 with nine home runs , 36 runs batted in (RBIs), and 35 stolen bases in 35 attempts in 33 games. He was selected as the USA Baseball Junior Player of
9858-761: Was activated on September 1, and added to the Astros' expanded roster. On September 2, Boone made his season debut, playing at first base and going 0 for 3. On September 16, Boone stated that he was leaning towards retirement, and on October 4, he played his last game. Boone served as a guest analyst for the MLB Network coverage of the 2009 ALCS between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim . On February 23, 2010, Boone announced his retirement and that he would become an analyst for ESPN . Boone appeared on Monday Night Baseball and for Baseball Tonight ' s pregame show on Sunday night. Boone called
9964-504: Was also his 450th home run. Rodriguez became the youngest player in baseball history to reach 450 home runs (surpassing Ken Griffey Jr. , by 267 days), and the eighth player to reach 2,000 hits before turning 31. Ty Cobb reached the mark while still 29, while Rogers Hornsby , Mel Ott , Hank Aaron , Joe Medwick , Jimmie Foxx, and Robin Yount all achieved their 2,000th hit at age 30. All seven are members of baseball's Hall of Fame . For
10070-488: Was compiled as part of Major League Baseball's 2003 survey to see whether mandatory random drug testing program might be necessary. At the time, there was no penalty or punishment for a positive steroid test. Rodriguez did not immediately confirm the allegations, deferring at first to the players' union. Two days after the allegations, Rodriguez admitted to steroid use from 2001 until 2003, claiming that he ceased using such substances after spring training that year. Prior to
10176-439: Was consequently suspended for the entire 2014 season . Rodriguez is ranked first in career Wins Above Replacement for shortstops of the modern era (post–1901). The Mariners selected Rodriguez first overall in the 1993 MLB draft , and he debuted in the major leagues the following year at the age of 18. In 1996, he became the Mariners' starting shortstop, won the major league batting title , and finished second in voting for
10282-516: Was highly criticized, because it tied up valuable payroll space that could have been spent to improve other areas, such as pitching. Dave McNally , one of the players who had successfully challenged the reserve clause in the 1970s to create free agency in baseball, said, "My first thought when I saw [reports that Rodriguez had signed] was: Did Texas offer him $ 250 million and he wanted two more? How did they get to $ 252 million?" In an interview eight years later, Rodriguez said he regretted signing with
10388-506: Was named a finalist for American League Manager of the Year award . He finished runner-up to Minnesota Twins manager, Rocco Baldelli . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Yankees and the other 29 Major League Baseball teams only played a 60-game regular season. The Yankees started off the shortened season with a hot 16–6 start, but then lost 15 of their next 20 games, evening their record at 21–21. The Yankees then won 10 straight to finish
10494-471: Was not sure if he would choose to do so. Boone returned to baseball on August 10, when he began his rehabilitation with the Corpus Christi Hooks , the Astros' Double-A minor league affiliate. He played five innings and was hitless in two plate appearances. Boone stated after the game that his goal was to return to the major leagues by September 1, the date that major league rosters expand. Boone
10600-544: Was nullified. The Yankees would then lose the ALCS to the eventual World Series champion Red Sox after leading the series three games to none. In 2005, Rodriguez hit .321, leading the American League with 124 runs and 48 home runs while driving in 130 runs. He became the first Yankee to win the American League home run title since Reggie Jackson (41) in 1980. He also became one of only two players in Major League history to compile at least 35 home runs, 100 runs and 100 RBIs in eight consecutive seasons (Jimmie Foxx accomplished
10706-623: Was one short of Juan González ' AL and MLB record. In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 30, Rodriguez sparked controversy when he shouted during a routine play and an infielder let a pop fly drop, costing the Blue Jays three runs. The Yankees went on to win the game, 10–5. On July 12, Rodriguez hit his 150th career home run in a Yankees uniform. This made him the first, and so far only, player in major league history to ever hit 150 home runs for three different teams. He became
10812-586: Was part of a failed attempt to purchase a controlling interest in the National Basketball Association 's Minnesota Timberwolves . Rodriguez began his professional baseball career as one of the sport's most highly touted prospects, and is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With a career .295 batting average , Rodriguez amassed over 600 home runs (696), over 2,000 runs batted in (RBI), over 2,000 runs scored , over 3,000 hits , and over 300 stolen bases ,
10918-560: Was rated the ninth-best home run of all time on Baseball Tonight . Afterward, some Red Sox fans called Boone "Aaron Fucking Boone," much as they called Bucky Dent "Bucky Fucking Dent." In January 2004, Boone tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a pick-up basketball game. The game violated the standard MLB player contract, which forbids taking part in off-season basketball, skiing, and surfing. The Yankees immediately hinted that they would terminate his contract. Soon after trading for Alex Rodriguez to play third base,
11024-435: Was sent to the Rangers on March 24). The Rangers also agreed to pay $ 67 million of the $ 179 million left on Rodriguez's contract. Rodriguez agreed to switch positions from shortstop to third base, paving the way for the trade, because the popular Derek Jeter was already entrenched at shortstop. This was only the second time in MLB history that a reigning MVP was traded, with the first coming in 1914 when Eddie Collins
11130-500: Was tied with Jim Thome for the MLB lead in homers, and he won his second Babe Ruth Home Run Award. Following five top-10 finishes in the AL MVP voting between 1996 and 2002, Rodriguez won his first MVP trophy. Rodriguez, a two-time runner up in the balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America , joined outfielder Andre Dawson from the 1987 Chicago Cubs as the only players to play on last-place teams and win
11236-580: Was traded to the Chicago White Sox from the Philadelphia Athletics for cash considerations. Rodriguez also had to switch uniform numbers; he had worn 3 his entire career, but the number was retired by the Yankees in honor of Babe Ruth . Instead, Rodriguez chose to change his number to 13, in honor of Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino . A Miami native himself, Rodriguez had grown up watching Marino and also wore number 13 when he played quarterback in high school. During his first season with
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