When Aaron Boone punched the New York Yankees’ ticket to the 2024 World Series, it felt like he’d finally managed to lead a cohesive unit to the season’s final round. A 26-man roster that never got too high or too low, as Boone had often promised to ensure while failing to avoid the precipitous falls that defined his seasons. A group filled with belief and the ability to bounce back. A team that would make mistakes, but would not allow those mistakes to define them.
And, after Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty’s recently published peek at the Yankees’ collective culture — which pairs nicely with their talent — it’s safe to say that external perception is accurate.
According to the collection of stories about how this close-knit team transcended the American League field and regrouped after difficult gut punches (like ALCS Game 3), Boone has helped make each and every unique personality feel special, from taking Juan Soto aside for a one-on-one “game ball” presentation after Game 5 to accepting and embracing Jazz Chisholm’s quirks…