Aaron Boon explains why 2025 was his toughest year as a manager

The New York Yankees the offseason began with unresolved issues, which is the reality of the manager Aaron Boone faced more openly than ever on Monday afternoon. For the first time publicly, Boone admitted that the way the 2025 season ended weighed more on him than any previous postseason elimination.

Boone led the Yankees through nearly a decade of consistent struggles, but the way the 2025 season ended was different for the manager. Unlike other seasons shaped by injuries or late-season attrition, the roster entered October healthy, strengthened and confident. Such optimism made it difficult to process results and a slower fade after the end of the season for the manager.

The Yankees’ ALDS loss to their division rival Toronto Blue Jays compounded the frustration. After the trade deadline, Boone said the roster feels complete, with concrete moves made to push the team deeper into October. Internally, the expectation was not just to contend, but to make a legitimate postseason run. Instead, the season ended abruptly, leading to an uncomfortable review.

WFAN Sports Radio later shared Boone’s comments on X (formerly known as Twitter) following his appearance on The Carton Show, where he explained why elimination stood apart from previous postseason disappointments.

Aaron Boone explains why he feels good about the Yankees mostly returning:@craigcartonlive @CMacVFAN pic.twitter.com/4NG2KPkRTe

— VFAN Sports Radio (@VFAN660) February 2, 2026

“The end of last season was probably the hardest I’ve had because I felt so strongly about our group. We were healthy and I felt like the moves we made at the deadline somewhat finished our team.”

The manager sensed the end of the 2025 season. Unlike past teams with clear limitations, the 2025 roster was healthy and faced an inexcusable loss.

He also pointed to the psychological toll of falling to a familiar opponent, one who had controlled the match all season.

“You get beat up and you go home and your division rival has been beating you up all year. That’s what makes it tough. But I think it’s hunger right now because we didn’t get the job done.”

This hunger is now shaping as New York approaches 2026. The 52-year-old manager framed continuity not as complacency, but as unfinished business, with expectations moving directly toward execution.