It's official: Aaron Boone is new Yankees manager

NEW YORK -- Aaron Boone's hiring has been finalized by the New York Yankees, who gave the ESPN broadcaster a three-year contract to succeed Joe Girardi as manager.

New York announced the deal Monday and said Boone, selected over five other candidates last week, will be introduced Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement, "I firmly believe that Aaron possesses the attributes needed to follow in the tradition of great Yankees managers. ... From all accounts, he is a polished communicator who possesses the ability to cultivate and grow relationships."

Boone, 44, has never been a manager or even a coach at any level since retiring as a player after the 2009 season. His 11th-inning home run off Boston's Tim Wakefield won Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series for the Yankees against Boston.

"Aaron's name is already etched into Yankees history,'' Steinbrenner said. "This opportunity will allow him to continue to make a positive impact on this organization in distinctly new and meaningful ways.''

Boone was a big league third baseman from 1997 to 2009 and an All-Star in 2003, when New York acquired him from the Reds at the trade deadline.

Hi grandfather, Ray, was a two-time All-Star infielder from 1948 to '60. His father, Bob, was a four-time All-Star catcher from 1972 to '90, then managed Kansas City from 1995 to '97 and Cincinnati from 2001 to '03. His brother, Bret, was a three-time All-Star second baseman in a big league career from 1992 to '05.

In a statement, ESPN said,"Aaron has been a tremendous analyst and a colleague. We wish him all the best as he starts a new chapter in his baseball journey."

The Yankees also announced that Larry Rothschild will return for an eighth season as New York's pitching coach in 2018.

The Associated Press contributed to this repo0rt