The baseball season is just over a month old, and the calls for Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone’s firing have begun.

Through their first 30 games, the Yankees had a 15-15 record, and that was without the recently injured Aaron Judge and several losses to the pitching staff. Yet, Boone quickly became the fans’ target of their frustrations.

Boone did win 100 or more regular-season games (203 to be exact) in his first two seasons, and 427-281 in his first five seasons. If you recall, Boone was a 45-year-old ESPN analyst with no prior coaching or managerial experience when he was hired.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column, I will look at some of the unorthodox and surprising managerial hires by the Phillies, Yankees, and Mets, as well as look at some of the current trends with the teams.

Who Were These Phillies: As well as the Yankees, the Phillies have made their share of stunning managerial hires on a regular and interim basis. Current skipper Rob Thomson was the bench coach for former manager Joe Girardi (seemed like a long time ago) who was fired June 3, 2022.

Girardi was let go after his 22-29 start, and he produced an overall 132-141 in three seasons.

With the Phillies at 15-19 through 34 games already slowly drifting away from the Braves, could Thomson be on a short leash, considering he was an initial interim manager?

Some of the Phillies’ questionable and stunning hires occurred after personable Charlie Manuel was relieved of his duties in August 2013. There were hires that you could have easily forgotten.

You may have to think for a bit to name the next two Phillies’ managers after Manuel.

First, there was former Phil and Cub All-Star Ryne Sandberg, who was believed to be the budding superstar skipper. Sandberg replaced Manuel and was then hired as his permanent replacement.

But Sandberg never fit with the Phils, and it soon became evident that his stay wouldn’t be long. Sandberg stepped down in late June of 2015, and his replacement is certainly the answer to the trivia question of “who was the Phillies’ manager from mid-2015 to 2017?”

You’re a true Phillies’ fan if you could name Pete Mackanin. I remembered him from his playing days as a utility man with the Expos, but he did have temporary stints with the Pirates and Reds.

Mackanin was a likable, mild-mannered manager who made some progress, but the club announced that he would be joining the front office in September.

From there, the Phils made another quirky move when they hired Dodgers’ director of player personnel, 42-year-old Gabe Kapler, who didn’t have any prior managing experience, in 2017.

Kapler’s possible biggest claim to fame was that he changed the typical clubhouse food to organic, and he was as vanilla as his 161-163 record and was gone after the 2019 campaign.

The Phils then brought aboard Girardi, as they felt they needed a proven winner and veteran presence in the clubhouse. Unfortunately, Girardi’s old school approach didn’t work.

Despite not having Rhys Hoskins and a current slumping pitching staff, it will be interesting to see Thomson’s status after this season.

Three ex-Phillies’ managers who may be off your radar at the moment are John Felske, Nick Leyva, Lee Elia and Jim Fregosi. Felske was a relative unknown who took over for Paul Owens and was mediocre in two seasons (1985-87); Elia was a longtime coach and Dallas Green disciple who had two years (1987-88); and Leyva also wasn’t a familiar name as a ex-Cardinals coach and also had a two-year stay (1989-91).

Like Leyva, Fregosi was a favorite of then GM Lee Thomas (He and Thomas were teammates on the Angels) and managed a six-year stopover from 1991-96.

The Phils then hired a young coach named Terry Francona.

Bronx Tales: Aside from Boone, Girardi ironically had a successful run in the Bronx, as he led the franchise to its last World Series in 2009 and won 910 games in 10 seasons.

One manager who may have slipped through the cracks was Lou Pinella, who had a respectable 179-145 record from 1986-87. In the 70s, Bill Virdon may have been a questionable hire, but he posted a 142-124 record from 1974-75. He was fired by the Yankees, and then hired by the Astros, where he had a successful eight-year run.

How about Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon, who brought some calmness back after one of the five Billy Martin firing? Lemon had a stint from 1978-82 where he won one World Series and two pennants.

Mighty Mets: Over the years, the Mets have had some steadiness, particularly back in the 70s with Gil Hodges. Yet, there have been some head-turning hires.

After Yogi Berra left after his pennant run, little-known, lifetime minor leaguer Joe Frazier had a two-year run from ‘76-77 with a 101-106 overall mark. Lifelong coach George Bamberger had a 81-127 slate from 1982-82, and ex-Dodgers catcher Jeff Torborg struggled with a 85-115 record from ‘92-93.

One may have forgotten legendary shortstop Bud Harrelson, who had a winning record of 145-129 from ‘90-91. He was after Davey Johnson and before Torborg. But Harrleson lost control of the team at the end of the ‘91 season, and was replaced over the final games by Mike Cubbage.

Knock on Wood: Do you remember Chicago Cubs righthander Kerry Wood? On May 5, 1997, the rookie struck out 20 Houston Astros, walked none, and allowed one hit in the Cubs’ 2-0 victory. Wood set the new National league mark previously held by Steve Carlton (19) and tied the all-time mark held by Roger Clemens.

Unfortunately, it proved to be Wood’s lone major highlight of his 14-year career in which he had a lifetime mark of 86-75.

Final Thoughts: Beginning Sunday’s play, the Phillies were 15-19 and eight games behind the division leading Braves; the Mets were 17-17, six games off the pace; and the Yankees were 18-16, nine games behind Tampa.

All of their struggles have mainly centered around pitching. The Yanks don’t have the starting depth without Frankie Montas and Carlos Rodon healthy, and the bullpen isn’t set, the Phillies’ starting pitching has been bad, and the Mets are trying to get Justin Verlander and Dan Scherzer back into the fold.

Tampa Bay is still the hallmark of the league with their 27-7 record before Sunday, and their 18-3 home record. Their run differential was an outstanding 114, and they have allowed three runs per game. The Rays could fall just short of the 1984 Tigers, who had the all-time best start after 40 games with a 35-5 slate.

The Pirates have cooled off after their blazing start, but the Twins and Rangers are still setting the pace in their divisions.

Oakland and Kansas City both entered Sunday’s play with a league worst 8-26 record, but the A’s were gunning for their first series sweep of the season. The Royals were 2-16 at home.

No Fantasies: With the clubs currently in a state of flux, we get back to fantasy picks next week. However, picking up Bryce Harper or Justin Verlander – if you don’t have them – will help. Both the Phillies and the Yankees should have some movement in the near future if they continue to struggle. Watch the trade rumors.

Your comments, thoughts, and ideas are always welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com