Boone vs Boone: Family Duel in Yanks vs Rangers Relive the Rivalry!

In a landmark event in baseball history, the Boone brothers will face each other from different dugouts for the first time in two decades. The New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers will square off in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium this week.

In 2005, Bret Boone and his younger brother Aaron, both with a distinguished baseball career, were nearing the end of their careers as third-generation players. Now, Aaron is in his eighth season as Yankees manager, while Bret is in his third week as Rangers batting coach.

To celebrate this unusual occasion, the brothers shared a dinner on Monday, after not having seen each other since Christmas in San Diego.

“Well, it’s something new for me. He paid the bill last night,” Bret commented.
Bret Boone

Bret, 56, had never been part of a Major League coaching staff before the Rangers called him to gauge his interest in helping their offense. He quickly accepted the position and took over as hitting coach on May 5, days after the club fired offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker.

At that moment, the Rangers, less than two years removed from winning the World Series, were in last place in the American League in runs scored. Although the sample size is small, the Rangers have improved noticeably since May 6, the day Boone took over.

“He has adapted very well,” said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who managed Bret on the San Diego Padres in 2000. “Bret has brought new ideas, another perspective. I think he has done a great job getting to know the players, building relationships, and he’s a pleasure to have around.”
Bruce Bochy

During their childhood, the siblings, separated by four years, did not play together nor did they compete in any official capacity. However, battles at home were frequent.

“We used to box when we were kids and I wore the helmet and he didn’t,” Aaron recalled. “So, imagine, I was about 6, he was about 10. And I got a good shot in on him one time. And I pissed him off and he beat the crap out of me. And I started to cry a little bit. And he said, ‘No, you can’t cry. We’ll get in trouble.’ Years later, I thought, ‘We’ll get in trouble? You’ll get in trouble for beating up your little brother.'”
Aaron Boone

The last time the Boone brothers faced each other on a Major League Baseball field was April 24, 2005. Bret, in his 14th and final season, played second base for the Mariners and went 0-3 with two strikeouts and a sacrifice fly. Aaron played third base for Cleveland, batting 1-3 with a solo home run against Jamie Moyer, which was Cleveland’s only run.

Aaron, 52, played until the 2009 season. Eight years later, he was hired as the Yankees’ manager and has led the team to the playoffs six times, including a World Series appearance last October. Aaron began Tuesday tied for 15th all-time with a .584 winning percentage.

“It was strange for me,” Bret said. “He was always Bret’s little brother. And suddenly he got the job with the Yankees and people were saying, ‘You’re Aaron’s brother.’ I’m very proud of what he’s done.”
Bret Boone

Before Tuesday’s game, the two brothers exchanged their respective teams’ lineups at home plate. They shared laughs with the umpiring crew and posed for photos. Then, it was all business.