The word “savage” is usually considered an insult or even a slur, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone managed to turn it into a compliment, all while getting ejected from New York’s victory against Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Confused? Let’s recap. According to the New York Post, the episode started when a called third strike on Brett Gardner upset the player and his manager. While Gardner was slamming his bat in the dugout, Boone started screaming at home-plate umpire Brennan Miller. (Warning: video NSFW).
Aaron Boone protecting his players#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/VLeDUwtPMl
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 18, 2019
What is a ‘savage in the box’?
If you had the sound up, you heard some of the choice words Boone used. Among them was that his players were “savages,” which Boone later explained meant they didn’t give anything away to a pitcher. When Miller called Gardner out, Boone thought the umpire was undermining his team’s effectiveness in the box. He later explained what he meant by the word.
Aaron Boone on what it means to be savages in the box: “Make it hard on the pitcher all the time. That’s something that those guys take a lot of pride in as a lineup. You may have your way with us, you may have success against us, but I want you to feel us.” #Yankees
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) July 19, 2019
An effective rant
Yankees players universally praised their manager’s rant, which happened in the second inning.
They went on to sweep a doubleheader from the second-place Rays. That extended their lead in the AL East to eight games.
The back page: SAVAGE. https://t.co/FNjkZJVxy4 pic.twitter.com/izhCNEiVji
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 19, 2019
Possible punishment coming
The only negative possibly coming for the Yankees from this situation would be a possible suspension for Boone. He used a lot of profanity and got awfully close to bumping Miller in what’s been a very public story. The umpires union will push hard for Major League Baseball to levy some punishment.
Asked whether Yankees manager Aaron Boone went too far with his use of profanity, crew chief Gerry Davis replied: “Yes, absolutely.” https://t.co/fFwFTeODF7
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) July 19, 2019
