The New York Yankees are having a high season, and it is time to explore the force behind the team a bit more. Since the coaching team remained unchanged since the previous season, we have to ask who the men are carrying the organization forward in their success and glory? Here we explore the careers of the behind the scenes influencers.
Aaron Boone
Very late in 2017, Boone became the 33rd manager in Yankee history. He is employed by a three-year contract which will end at the end of the season in 2020. It does, however, allow for the extension of another season. Boone was the first in baseball history, to be part of a family with three generations of great baseball players. Both his father and grandfather well as his brother were Major League players as too.
Josh Bard
Josh Bard joined the Yankees in 2018 as bench coach, after spending five seasons with the Dodgers. During his playing career of Ten Major League seasons, he played for the Cleveland Indians, Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. During his time at the Indians in 2005, he played alongside now Yankee Manager, Aaron Boone. He delivered on 586 Major League games during his career. Bard also spent some time in the Dodgers front office in the position as a pro scout and was assistant to the manager, with them for one season.
Marcus Thames
In his second year as hitting coach for the Yankees, after spending two seasons as hitting coach assistant. Under his guidance, the Yankees set the record for a single-season Major League record in 2018 by hitting 267HR. His path already crossed early on in his career with that of the Yankees, being selected in 1996 in the 30th round. During his career, he played regularly during 10 Major League seasons for the organization. Although the highlight in his playing career was a 26 HR in 110 games in 2006 with the AL Champion Detroit Tigers.
P.J. Pilittere
Being contracted by the Yankees in 2018 as assistant hitting coach to Marcus Thames, this is now his second season with the team in this position. Pillitteri is only the third person to be employed in this position in Yankee history. During his playing career, he played as a catcher during eight minor league games for the Yankees.
Lawrence Rothschild
Rothschild is in his 45th season of professional baseball. During his career, he was player, coach and manager. Currently, he is in his ninth season with the Yankees as their pitching coach. The Yankees pitchers have always been performing very well under the guidance of Rothschild. In 2018 they set their franchise record with one 634K. This record is also noted in Major League history as the second-highest mark. During his playing career, Rothschild pitched for 11 years. He played for both Detroit and Cincinnati. During his Major League career, he also made seven relief appearances for the Tigers.