Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: New York Yankees manager since 2018. Former MLB infielder from 1997-2009 for New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Washington Nationals.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200
DOB: March 9, 1973 In: La Mesa, CA
Childhood Heroes: “My dad (Bob Boone), Greg Luzinski, George Brett, Bake McBride, I could go on and on.”
Nickname: “My family calls me Arnie.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I like the beach, going to the movies, sitting around with friends and shooting the breeze is always enjoyable.”
Favorite Movies: “Varsity Blues – kind of cheesy but I really liked it. The Shawshank Redemption. Friday – 90 minutes of laughter. Swingers.”
Musical Tastes: “Puff Daddy, Mariah Carey, Pearl Jam, my Disco CD, Stevie Nicks Greatest Hits, Motley Crue.”
Early Baseball Memory: “Growing up around the game like I did, my dad played for so many great teams. With so many great players…Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Steve Carlton, Pete Rose, George Brett. Growing up in that environment was unbelievable. Fortunately, my brother Bret and I loved baseball. Bret and I went on a road trip in 1981 to Chicago with my dad. Fifteen minutes before the game, I was out in the outfield with my brother. My brother’s hitting me balls in the outfield. I lose the ball in the sun, hits me in the head. Knocks me out. Minutes before the game, I’m laying in the outfield of Wrigley Field. The players in the bullpen think I’m joking. Finally, Keith Moreland and some of the other players come out and realize I’m not joking and had to carry me out, off the field. I had a concussion.”
Favorite Meal: “A good Japanese steak house.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Hands down, it’s mint chocolate chip.”
First Job: “My dad owned a construction company with my uncle in southern California. I cleaned up sites for him once in a while.”
First Car: “1984 light blue Ford Bronco.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Hitting the home run to go to the World Series (11th-inning home run in Game 7 of ALCS vs. Boston’s Tim Wakefield in 2003). Greatest moment of my life. Happened to walk into one. Caught the big part of my bat. To have a hand in sending us to the World Series. Really a humbling moment…to think about all the people who helped get you there.”
Most Painful Moment: “In college at USC, sophomore and junior year, we lost back-to-back years at Texas and then at LSU in the final game of the regionals. Both in the ninth inning…to go to the College World Series. Never got there. Then, the next year, they got there and lost in the final.”
Toughest Competitors: “Scott Rolen plays the game the right way. Mariano Rivera. Roger Clemens. Derek Jeter. Jason Kendall. In this game we’re fortunate to have what you call tough competitors. You hope that you’re surrounded by people like that. And here with the Yankees I am surrounded.”
Funny Baseball Memory: “My first Major League game in St. Louis in 1997. Got my first hit, first RBI, first stolen base. Hit to right field. I’m coming around to score. Play at the plate…he called me out. Thought I was safe. I jumped up and threw my helmet down. And he threw me out of the game. Getting kicked out of my first Major League game [smiles].”
People Most Admired: “My parents are two people I look to very fondly. Character people.”
Career Accomplishments: Career batting average .263 with 555 RBIs; 2003 All-Star; Yankees have finished in first place in AL East Division three times under Boone’s management.
