Matt Blake remembers strolling into the meals room at Progressive Discipline when Cleveland hosted the All-Star Sport in 2019.
There, the tables had been crammed with superstars. A highschool pitching coach and scout earlier than changing into Cleveland’s pitching coordinator, Blake discovered himself sharing area with superstars like Mike Trout, CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander.
“You’re in awe of how many good players are in the same room,” stated Blake, who by no means performed skilled baseball.
Now Blake is the Yankees’ pitching coach, which additionally means he would be the American League’s pitching coach on the All-Star Sport in Atlanta on Tuesday. Pennant-winning managers and coaches from the earlier season all the time workers the annual exhibition, and so Aaron Boone and his assistants will be part of Aaron Decide, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Max Fried and Carlos Rodón at Atlanta’s Truist Park.
“I got to take a peek behind the curtain in 2019 when Cleveland hosted it and kind of helped out,” Blake stated, “but now you’re on the staff and helping to lead it. It’s kind of exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”
Blake isn’t the one Yankee who shall be teaching the perfect of the perfect with none large league expertise.
Whereas Boone, bench coach Brad Ausmus, assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne and bullpen coach Mike Harkey loved MLB careers of various lengths, first base/infield coach Travis Chapman obtained only one plate look in The Present.
Hitting coach James Rowson and third base/outfield coach Luis Rojas by no means obtained previous the low ranges of the minors, whereas bullpen catcher Peter Serruto spent a number of video games at Triple-A final yr.
Like Blake, main league area coordinator/director of catching Tanner Swanson and assistant hitting coaches Pat Roessler and Casey Dykes by no means performed within the minors.
All are actually large leaguers, in addition to All-Stars.
“It’s obviously a testament to the hard work we’ve all put in over the years to get to this point,” Blake stated. “You take it as an honor to be a part of it.”
The All-Star break is usually a uncommon opening for coaches to get pleasure from a while off within the midst of a grueling season, however Boone stated he and his workers are all eagerly anticipating the chance.
“I am thrilled to be going, and I know our staff is too,” the skipper stated. “A lot of those guys, in a lot of ways, it’ll be the experience of a lifetime to get to be in an All -Star Game and around the greatest in the world to do it.”
For some, the power to work with some non-Yankees would be the spotlight of the journey.
Blake plans on speaking store with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Younger, in addition to Seattle’s Bryan Woo, who held the Yankees hitless for seven innings this previous week.
Blake additionally plans on catching up with former Yankees nearer Aroldis Chapman, who now pitches for the rival Crimson Sox.
Swanson will gravitate towards Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, MLB’s dwelling run chief, and Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk.
“Those are two guys that I have a ton of respect for,” Swanson stated.
Rowson, in the meantime, doesn’t know what to anticipate from the festivities, however he’s “pumped” to seek out out.
He thinks the All-Star Sport itself shall be a blast, however he’s additionally psyched to look at Monday’s Dwelling Run Derby, which is able to characteristic Chisholm. Rowson coached Chisholm with the Marlins and now the Yankees, however he received’t be giving pointers within the derby.
“I’ll be pulling for him,” Rowson stated. “I don’t think Jazz needs my help. If he keeps doing what he’s doing now, he’ll be just fine.”
The prospect to share the All-Star expertise with relations will even be memorable for Yankees coaches.
With the Bombers conveniently opening the second half in Atlanta on Friday, Blake and Swanson deliberate on staying in The Peach State for the complete week. Blake’s mother and father, spouse and toddler daughter are becoming a member of him, whereas Swanson talked about his complete household is tagging alongside.
“It’s nice to have some off days,” Blake stated, “but at the same time, this will be a nice change of pace, and then we’ll have some off days in Atlanta.”
Whereas staff sometimes don’t need to sacrifice trip time, the Yankees’ coaches wouldn’t thoughts giving up extra All-Star breaks sooner or later. Having to take action would imply extra runs to the Fall Basic, in addition to alternatives to win it after falling brief towards the Dodgers final October.
“It’s going to be really cool,” Swanson stated. “Hopefully not too unique. Hopefully we get to do it again or multiple times, which means we’re playing in the World Series on a consistent basis.”
Initially Revealed: July 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM EDT
