NEW YORK – It didn’t take an advanced degree in psychology to pick up on Josh Donaldson’s agitated state Sunday morning. Common sense alone told you he was fuming.
Dressed in street clothes at his locker, pushing past reporters who were waiting to speak to him, Donaldson marched straight into manager Aaron Boone’s office after realizing he was on the bench for a third straight game.
The discussion lasted a full 45 minutes and caused Boone to be a half-hour late for his daily press conference. The manager apologized to the media, cryptically explaining, “Josh and I had a long conversation…but we’re on the same page now.”
Boone wouldn’t divulge the details of the talk, and Donaldson was unavailable prior to the start of the Yankees’ series finale against the Rangers. The club did announce, however, that Donaldson would answer questions after the game.
Following the Yankees’ 5-3 win over the Rangers, Donaldson did agree to an interview, although his answers were terse and less than forthcoming. He denied there was a rift, but noted, “it’s probably the first time I haven’t played three days since I’ve been here (in New York) when I’ve been healthy.”
At one point Donaldson said his conversation with Boone included “personal stories” and suggested reporters were “trying to make it something else.”
Even if their tone wasn’t adversarial, it’s not hard to recognize the gulf between Donaldson and Boone. The Yankees desperately need offense while Aaron Judge is on the injured list. Donaldson, batting .125, is one of the reasons the Yankees have struggled to score runs. He’s been booed heavily by fans recently.
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But the third baseman is also a former MVP and four-time All-Star. Even in his age age-37 season, Donaldson feels he can still help the Yankees, current slump aside. The question is whether the two sides were able to resolve their differences.
Boone again…
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