NEW YORK — Although it may not fit the mold of a conventional statistic, Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, believes the bond among the players is stronger than it has been in years.
“There’s a noticeable closeness among the guys, a genuine sense of ‘playing for one another’ that has been evident all year, since day one,” Boone remarked ahead of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “These players genuinely care for each other and thrive on doing it together.”
The Yankees are chasing their 28th championship title and are making their World Series return for the first time since clinching the title in 2009. Boone took over the managerial role in 2018, but his teams faced early exits in multiple playoffs, including the AL Championship Series in 2019 and 2022, along with several other postseason disappointments.
Last year was particularly tough as New York finished with an 82-80 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. This setback served as motivation for players, including captain Aaron Judge, who showed up early to the team’s minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, ahead of spring training.
“The leadership among the team members took last year’s disappointment to heart, recognizing the need for a strong comeback this season, starting with enhanced focus even during the offseason,” Boone noted, stressing the importance of both physical preparation and building team camaraderie.
The integration of new players for the current season has also reinforced these bonds with the veterans.
“It’s a brotherhood,” pitcher Clarke Schmidt expressed. “We’ve got each other’s backs.”
During a press conference at Yankee Stadium, Boone sported a new World Series sweatshirt against a backdrop emblazoned with the World Series logo. The team had an optional practice as they shifted their focus from the recently won AL pennant against Cleveland to prep for the Dodgers.
As the postseason progressed, Boone has been in contact with former Yankees manager Joe Torre, who led the team to championships in 1996 and the three consecutive titles from 1998-2000.
This upcoming showdown marks only the fifth World Series featuring teams with the best record from both leagues since the introduction of wild card teams, joining previous matchups involving other renowned teams.
The series will highlight standout players such as Judge and Shohei Ohtani, both of whom are frontrunners for the league MVP title. They will become part of a select group of league home run leaders to face off in the World Series—an elite roster that includes legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
MVPs have met in the Series only twice since 1980, with Kirk Gibson and Jose Canseco in 1988 and Buster Posey and Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
“The spotlight will be on our stars, and all eyes will be on the series, so we hope to put on a great show,” Boone remarked.
After a string of seasons marked by injuries, the Yankees have enjoyed relative good health this year: Anthony Volpe played 160 games, Judge 158, and several other key players were also actively contributing to the lineup.
Even ace Gerrit Cole who faced elbow issues at the beginning of the season has found his footing, missing only one rotation start since his return. Schmidt and other players have also made successful comebacks from various injuries to reinstate their roles in the team.
Cortes, who suffered a flexor strain in his elbow, could be in line to join the World Series roster after missing several weeks, while Anthony Rizzo has displayed a strong comeback after dealing with fractured fingers, hitting .429 in the AL Championship Series.
“We truly feel as strong and intact as we have in several years,” Boone observed earlier this season, highlighting how past postseason appearances were often plagued by injuries.
Cole is set to start in the series opener, and although Boone has not confirmed the entire pitching rotation after him, Rodón, Schmidt, and Gil are expected to follow.
“I believe we’ve made it this far because this is our best team at this moment in the year,” Boone reiterated, reflecting the team’s confidence and readiness heading into the World Series.
