Mariano Rivera is a legendary figure in Yankees history, so when he speaks out on the current state of the club, people tend to listen.
Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader recently weighed in on manager Aaron Boone’s job status, and he certainly didn’t hold back.
Speaking at the Sports Forum of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives, Rivera gave his thoughts on whether or not Boone should return, which translates to the following:
“If I'm the owner, Aaron Boone wouldn't stay... when things don't come out the way we want them to all of the fault goes on the manager and somebody has to pay the price and we won't put that on the players..."
As has been the case in just about all of his offseasons as Yankees skipper, Boone’s standing as Yankees manager has come into question. As successful as the Yankees have been in the regular season under Boone, the team has never advanced past the ALCS under his direction.
Still, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said on Wednesday that he doesn’t foresee the team making a managerial change.
“As far as Boone’s concerned, we just signed him and for all the same reasons I listed a year ago, I believe he is a very good manager,” Steinbrenner told the Associated Press. “I don’t see a change there.”
Boone has a postseason record of just 14-17 as Yankees skipper, with the team’s latest playoff experience ending with a sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros in the ALCS.