As the reigning pennant-winning manager, Aaron Boone will be in the dugout leading the American League squad for the All-Star Game next month in Atlanta.
He will not be the only manager there associated with the Yankees.
Boone successfully recruited Joe Torre to join him as an honorary coach (along with the Guardians’ Stephen Vogt) for the festivities.
Torre has been around the Yankees during spring training the past few years because Boone — Torre’s former third baseman — continued to invite him and persuaded him back into uniform, Torre even making a pitching change in March.
“I know our guys love being around him,” Boone said before the Yankees’ 4-0 loss to the Angels in The Bronx on Tuesday. “And what gets me excited is I know he’s enjoyed it.”
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
So during spring training, Boone talked with MLB to get permission to invite Torre, and the league — with whom Torre works as a special assistant to the commissioner — approved.
Boone broached the All-Star Game idea to Torre and received his answer quickly.
“I asked him, ‘Would he consider coming?’ And right away, he was like, ‘Yes,’ and seemed really excited about it, seemed moved by it,” Boone said. “Which could not have gone better in my eyes. … So I’m excited to have the skipper with us.”
Torre, who won four World Series with the Yankees as manager from 1996–2007, also played with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves from 1960-68.
“The rest of the American League team I know will love having him there, too,” Boone said.
Also going to the All-Star Game will be the Yankees’ Tim Lentych, who will be one of two athletic trainers on the American League side.