New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone doesn’t think that the derision Angel Hernandez has been getting of late is warranted.
When Hernandez announced on Monday that he was retiring from umpiring in the big leagues, it seemingly had fans setting aside their differences. At least during that moment, fans were all smiling at each other with doves flying around and angels (no pun intended) playing musical instruments in the clouds, as they sang the same chorus about their common approval of Hernandez’s decision to walk away from the majors. Needless to say, Hernandez was not a very well-liked figure during his long career in the MLB as an umpire.
Yankees manager wants Angel Hernandez critics to dial it down
Home plate umpire Angel Hernandez during the game between the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Boone recently appeared to defend Hernandez amid an avalanche of mockery directed at the latter.
“It’s a long career. I think he’s wrongly been a poster child (and) can be a punching bag of officiating,’’ Boone said on Tuesday (h/t Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com). The Yankees skipper also added that the treatment Hernandez has been getting of late has “sometimes been unfair and over the top.”
“The reality is, he’s spent a lot of time in this league, cared about his craft, and I wish him well,’’ Boone added.
Moreover, Boone also said that he wants to see Hernandez do well in his post-umpire life. Boone called Hernandez a “great guy” and said that “it’s unfortunate (about) what I think is over the top criticism of him even going into retirement.’”
Boone’s reaction offers a stark contrast to that of former Yankees star pitcher CC Sabathia, who used a Looney Tunes GIF to troll Hernandez amid the umpire’s retirement news.
Boone’s opinion is not going to reverse in an instant the poor perception people have of Hernandez as an umpire. That’s just one man’s word against a library of resentment against Hernadez. In any case, Boone and every baseball fan will not be seeing Hernadez officiate any MLB game going forward. For better or for worse, Hernandez’s retirement will not lead to total silence from the fans when it comes to ridiculing umpires.
Fans offer takes on Aaron Boone’s reaction to Angel Hernandez criticism
Here are some of the thoughts fans have shared about Boone’s take on the hate toward Hernandez:
“Feel like the narrative from players and managers has been he’s a great dude. Fans are running with a different narrative,” shared X user @TheSkippersView.
From @FlyingMangoDS: “AH was def one of the worst but I’m a bit of an ump defender. The best hitters in the world only get on base 40-45% but people are shocked when an ump gets fooled by a pitch and makes a bad call. People think it looks easy but those same people probably can’t throw or hit on any level”
“Surprised to hear that from a manager,” said @EasternMESports.
“He did it to himself. Not only was he bad (umps make mistakes) he was uber-arrogant & tissue paper thin skinned about it. Ran players/managers for breathing in his direction & made every game about HIM instead of the game! He’s earned every bit that he’s getting #GoodRiddance,” opined @SportsOnly62.
“To be fair, fans don’t like umpires ib general. The only way you know you’re doing a good job is when the fans don’t know who you are. Kinda sucks. Players show then up, broadcasters point out their mistakes. It’s not a fun job,” said@HankBobbyDale.
