Yankees skipper Aaron Boone has long established a reputation as one of the game’s most prolific line-steppers when it comes to umpire interactions. Entering Monday’s game against the White Sox, Boone had already been ejected five times this season.
By night’s end, he would claim his sixth. And this one might very well be his masterpiece.
Boone was not too pleased with the job that home plate umpire Laz Diaz was doing in calling balls and strikes. When Diaz rung up shortstop Anthony Volpe to lead off the eighth inning, it was the fourth Yankees batter to be called out on strikes. Apparently, that fourth time was the straw that broke the camel’s back, inspiring Boone to put on a performance for the ages while getting tossed once more.
Aaron Boone did not hold back before getting ejected from tonight's game 😳
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 8, 2023
(via @TalkinYanks)pic.twitter.com/Ib0DrJUx76
The highlight of the act was undoubtedly Boone’s less-than-flattering imitation of Diaz’s punch-out move, which defies description and requires repeat viewings.
Boone’s six ejections are tied with Cincinnati’s David Bell for the most by a manager this season. While each heave-ho counts the same, they don’t all leave the same impression, and this is one that will live on in viewers’ memories for quite a while.