ST. LOUIS — Brian Cashman often refers to Aaron Boone having to deal with “slings and arrows” thrown at him.
On Friday, the Yankees GM tossed some flowers his manager’s way, at least for how he has handled the heat during the club’s latest tailspin.
“The best he can,” Cashman said Friday afternoon at Busch Stadium. “I don’t know how any manager, let alone a manager in a big market like New York — I’ve told him many times how he does the pre and post-game [press conferences] and navigates that on a daily basis, that’s not easy. Takes a talent in its own right to try to walk through that without losing your cool or getting emotional or what have you. He’s stayed level-headed and even-keeled. He knows how tough this sport is.
“He’s invested in these guys heavily, as we all are. Trying to explain away a difficult play or a bad performance for a period of time, why the storm’s upon us, it’s not an easy task to navigate or deal with and remain cool, calm and collected. He’s obviously done an amazing job of working through that.”
Boone, who signed a two-year extension before this season began to take him through 2027, has often drawn the wrath of fans during the Yankees’ two-plus-month skid that was at 29-37 entering Friday’s series opener against the Cardinals.
Both he and captain Aaron Judge prefer to take an even-keeled approach to the roller coaster of a 162-game season, which can irk fans especially when times are rough.
But it is a trait that Cashman sees as a strength.
“I know I couldn’t do that,” Cashman said. “I definitely would probably be creating more regretful comments along the way because I would either be from lack of sleep or getting provoked, it wouldn’t take much. I think it takes a certain character and abilities to try to manage a group of 26 guys, especially in a big market through difficult times.”
