NEW YORK _ Aaron Boone's tirade was savage enough that the league took notice. The Yankee manager's second-inning meltdown Thursday at home plate against umpire Brennan Miller earned him a one-game suspension for "inappropriate actions, including contact," from Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball Joe Torre, the league announced.
The contact was the bill of Boone's cap hitting Miller's cap. During the altercation, Miller noted the contact as it happened.
Boone was to serve the suspension on Friday night as the Yankees began a series with the Rockies at Yankee Stadium.
Thursday, Boone flipped out on the minor league call-up umpire after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes. In just his fifth major league game, Miller's strike zone looked spotty. Aaron Judge had said something quietly to him in the first inning when he was called for a strike on a ball just above his ankles. Catcher Gary Sanchez had shook his head several times at calls against Domingo German and, in a move rarely seen by the catcher, actually turned around and said something to him.
What sent Boone over the edge, however, was concern for his veteran left fielder. After being called out on strikes, Brett Gardner was attempting to demolish walls in the Yankees dugout. It was loud enough to get Miller's attention, so Boone increased his criticism and volume, earning his third ejection of the season.
Then he went on an amusing tirade that is likely to spawn a rallying call for this team.
"My guys are f------ savages in that f------ box, right?" Boone yelled getting in the young umpire's face, pointing and clapping. He told Miller he was having a "piece of s---," start to the game and it was time to "Tighten this s--- up right now!"
