During the Opening Day ceremonies of the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees fans were reminded of a significant event.
Former Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks, a visiting member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was not re-signed by the O’s due to his regular playing time.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde warmly embraced Hicks before the Opening Day matchup between the two teams, but Yankees fans expressed wariness due to Hicks’ transformation from a seemingly lost player to a favorite under Hyde’s hard-nosed management.
The Yankees’ treatment of Hicks raises questions about whether his performance in Baltimore was an anomaly or if he was never meant to be in New York.
Aaron Hicks’ relationship with Orioles manager may indicate Yankees issues.
Aaron Boone embraced Hicks during his return to the Bronx, causing speculation about the “vibe” between the two parties. Hicks’ Yankees tenure ended in disappointment.
Boone managed Hicks for five seasons from 2018-2023, but there’s no clear relationship between the two. Yankees fans are concerned about team chemistry, especially with players like Hicks, Gary Sánchez, Josh Donaldson, Joey Gallo, and Aroldis Chapman.
The Yankees’ poor performance can be attributed to the wrong personalities and imperfect fits, but also to the organization and leadership, as seen with Hicks and Hyde’s handling of the situation, and Hicks’ ostracization.
