WATCH: Aaron Boone, Jason Giambi hit home runs in BP before Yankees Old-Timers’ Day

by Felix Pantaleón

Former Yankees Aaron Boone and Jason Giambi both hit home runs during batting practice prior to Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium.

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NEW YORK — Aaron Boone can’t remember the last time he swung a bat. That didn’t stop the Yankees manager from depositing a ball in the left-field seats during batting practice prior to his first Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium.

After a couple close calls, Boone managed to sneak a ball into the front row in left field. His blast didn’t quite match the tape-measure shot by former first baseman Jason Giambi, who sent a ball into the second deck in right field. You can watch video of both home runs above.

“It was nice to sneak one out of there. I could walk away and say I got another one under my belt,” Boone said. “I was kinda digging that a little bit. Then Marcus (Thames) jumps in behind me and hits one 20 feet further.”

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Boone and Giambi were both participating in their first Old-Timers’ Day since retiring. They were two of five former players participating in their first Old-Timers’ Day, along with Andy Pettitte, Dion James and Nick Swisher.

Boone, who grew up around the game while watching his father, Bob Boone, had some flashbacks watching other former players take batting practice and walking around in uniform.

“It’s funny watching guys in the cage. I can see them. That’s Willie Randolph, in slow motion, with their old swings. Sorry Willie,” Boone said. “But I said that with everyone. Lee Mazzilli, that’s Lee’s swing right there in slow motion. So that’s kind of neat to see, and I know I got in there in slow motion, too.”

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