The New York Yankees have become synonymous with playoff disappointments, a trend that continues into the 2025 season. Since Aaron Boone took over as manager in December 2017, his tenure has been marked by consistent regular-season success coupled with repeated postseason failures. This year’s abrupt exit came during the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays, culminating in a 5-2 loss in Game 4, forcing the Yankees to pack up for the offseason while the Blue Jays move on to the ALCS.
The pivotal moment of the series occurred in the seventh inning of Game 4. With the Yankees trailing 2-1, Toronto's shortstop Andrés Giménez hit a ground ball that should have resulted in a double play. Instead, it bounced off Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s glove, allowing Giménez to reach safely. This costly error set the stage for a two-run single by Nathan Lukes, which effectively sealed the Yankees' fate.
Throughout the series, the Yankees struggled significantly, being outscored 34 to 19 and outhit 50 to 34. Their starting pitchers—Luis Gil, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodón—collectively posted a dreadful ERA exceeding 16. In stark contrast, the Blue Jays’ rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, who had only seven career MLB starts, no-hit the Yankees for 5 1/3 innings in Game 2, striking out an impressive 11 batters. At one point, the Yankees trailed 11-0 after just four innings, having recorded merely two balls in play compared to the Blue Jays' three home runs.
The Yankees managed to avoid a sweep thanks to a standout performance from Aaron Judge in Game 3, where he went 9-for-15 with an astonishing home run and six RBIs. However, support from other key players was lacking; Giancarlo Stanton finished 4-for-15, Cody Bellinger 3-for-16, Ben Rice 2-for-11, and both Chisholm and Trent Grisham struggled significantly, hitting 2-for-14 and 2-for-17, respectively. Following the elimination, Boone remarked, “It’s hard to win the World Series. I’ve been chasing it my whole life.”
Criticism directed at Boone often highlights the familiar patterns of failure in his managerial approach during high-stakes games. Over eight seasons, Boone's postseason record stands at 25-27, with a particularly troubling 10-23 record against teams outside the AL Central. This trend raises questions about his decision-making and the Yankees' preparedness for the playoffs. Boone's history of managerial blunders is notable; for instance, in the 2018 ALDS, he allowed Luis Severino to pitch the fourth inning after a shaky start, leading to a disastrous seven-run inning.
His reliance on analytics has also drawn criticism. As evidenced in previous playoff games, Boone has made questionable choices, such as replacing a successful pitcher with one struggling under pressure. This has led to a perception that he follows a rigid script dictated by the front office rather than making real-time decisions based on the game’s dynamics.
Looking ahead, the future of the Yankees remains uncertain. Will the franchise choose to retain Boone for a ninth season, knowing he is likely to lead the team to another 90-plus win season followed by another playoff collapse? Or will they make a change in an attempt to break free from the cycle of disappointment? General Manager Brian Cashman has faced scrutiny as well, particularly as fans have called for his dismissal, as seen with chants of “Fire Cashman” at Yankee Stadium this season.
The Yankees are at a crossroads, needing to evaluate their leadership and direction. With aging stars like Judge, Rodón, and Stanton nearing the end of their primes, the urgency to win a World Series before it's too late has never been greater. The decisions made in the coming months could define the future of the franchise and its pursuit of championship glory.
