“We’re Too Strong” Yankees’ Aaron Boone Denies Being Desperate After the Orioles Series – Reiterates Importance of Consistency

One of the most common phrases heard in sports is “We really needed that.” Players and managers of a struggling team usually say that after a tough win. It’s meant to create a belief in the team, a belief that his win will start something good. However, Aaron Boone doesn’t really agree with the sentiment. The New York Yankees’ skipper made it obvious in his recent press conference. 

The Yankees almost succumbed to the Detroit Tigers yesterday. However, a last-inning surge led to the Bronx Bombers winning the game 2-1. For the Pinstripes, this was a huge win, especially after the embarrassing losses they suffered against the Baltimore Orioles. As a result, most people expected Boone to come out and speak on how important this result was. However, what Boone said was completely opposite to these expectations.

“Sometimes I get a little annoyed by that. It’s always throughout the year ‘oh we really needed that one’ or ‘we need this or we got to beat this,’” Boone said in his postgame conference. “No we got to play well and you got to play well over a long period of time to get to where you want to go. So it’s really nice when you get a win in this league. When you get out to a decent start and rack up some wins.” 

Later Boone commented that he doesn’t like saying “we needed this” because the Yankees “are too strong in there and those guys are too focused and tough.” So even if the Bronx Bombers get a bump in the road, they will continue to bounce back. In a way, Boone denied being desperate for a win after the Orioles series exposed some of the Yankees’ flaws.

However, that series also revealed something important – the Yankees need Alex Verdugo. Without him their attack looked blunt while in this game Verdugo’s unexpected hit changed the whole situation.

How Alex Verdugo rattled the Tigers and helped in the New York Yankees’ win 

Right after Aaron Judge’s single, Alex Verdugo did something highly unexpected for him. He hit a bunt! The Yankee Stadium roared in appreciation when Verdugo slowly guided the ball to the third base and filled the bases. That suddenly filled Jason Foley with pressure as he had two bases filled with dangerous hitters like Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo to follow.

“I don’t know if it rattled him, per se. But I think it definitely caught everybody off-guard,” Verdugo said (via MLB.com). “I really don’t bunt. But me and Booney, we’ve been talking about it. We’ve been talking about the third baseman giving me that spot.” Later even Marcus Stroman shared how a situation like that leads to a “deflating” feeling for the pitcher. 

So once again Verdugo has become a reason for the Yankees’ win. Who’d have guessed that the Yankees’ most low-key trade of the season would prove to be their most vital one?