History stares at Aaron Judge as Yankees captain committed to ‘unfinished business’
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Follow UsAaron Judge capped off the 2022 season with a vow to handle “unfinished business” with the Yankees, a promise quickly solidified by his nine-year, $360 million contract. Along with the deal came the honor of being named the team’s first captain since Derek Jeter. Though Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner didn’t explicitly state it, the expectation was clear: to lead the franchise to its elusive 28th World Series title.
Now entering his ninth season, Judge and the Yankees are set to face the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series. Judge’s 2024 campaign has been nothing short of remarkable. Building on his historic 62-home run season in 2022, he set career-highs with a .322 batting average, 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, 133 walks, and an impressive 1.159 OPS.
As Judge continues his pursuit of a World Series ring, opposing pitchers are expected to approach him cautiously, fully aware of his game-changing power. However, he has evolved beyond just a slugger, developing into one of the league’s most well-rounded hitters, inspired by greats like Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, and Barry Bonds.
Judge humbly downplays comparisons to his idols, stating he only aims to be “half as good” as they were, but his performances suggest he may have surpassed that benchmark. His steady improvement in batting average and overall approach have positioned him as a likely future Hall of Famer.
Yankees hitting coach James Rowson praised Judge’s approach at the plate and highlighted the Yankees captain’s attention to all aspects of hitting, whether it’s working a walk, driving in runs, or adjusting to the situation during each at-bat.
“Aaron’s just a different animal,” the coach explained. “He knows that he has power, but he doesn’t aspire necessarily to be the greatest power hitter. Aaron loves hitting and aspires to be the best hitter that he can be, which encompasses the power but also takes pride in taking your walks and driving in runs and taking what the game gives you. If you throw a pitch and it’s a single or double, he’s going to take that hit.”
Judge’s rise from promising rookie to the face of the Yankees has been driven by relentless work ethic and a dedication to honing his craft. His combination of power and precision at the plate has made him one of the game’s most formidable and complete hitters, embodying the role of a true leader as he eyes a long-awaited championship.
Both Judge and Yankees have a chance to make history
Aaron Judge has positioned himself as the favorite for the AL MVP award after leading the league in key offensive categories, including home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Despite his historic regular-season output, Judge has consistently downplayed his personal accolades, underscoring that his main focus is winning a championship.
The Yankees’ captain made it clear that individual success holds little weight compared to his desire to capture a World Series title. Judge expressed his determination to guide the team to that elusive goal, viewing the upcoming postseason as another crucial opportunity for team success.
During a pre-game session at Yankee Stadium, Judge reflected on the weight he feels regarding the team’s past playoff disappointments. He admitted that he often takes personal responsibility when the Yankees fall short of a championship, but his optimism about this year’s team remains high. Judge praised the squad’s strong chemistry and resilience, stressing the importance of staying focused on each game and executing their strategy.
“It eats at me every time we don’t finish the job,” he said as the Yankees concluded their practice on Friday. “I take a lot of responsibility for that, being on the team, and if we don’t win it all, I feel like it’s my fault. We’ve got a good group, though. Like I’ve been saying, we’ve got good chemistry, got a good group of guys in here, battled through a lot. So we’re definitely excited to re-right the ship and go out there and do our thing. We’ve just got to take it one game at a time, and if we take care of our business and do what we gotta do, we’ll be where we want to be.”
Judge’s postseason track record has been somewhat inconsistent. In 44 playoff games spanning six postseason appearances, he holds a .211 batting average and a .772 OPS. His early postseason performances were stronger, but since 2020, Judge’s numbers have slipped. Over his last 17 playoff games, he has hit just .143 with a .565 OPS, while striking out 25 times.
As the Yankees gear up for their ALDS clash with the Kansas City Royals, Judge’s mission remains clear: lead the team to a World Series title. Adding that championship would be the crowning achievement to an already stellar career.
Judge poised well to break postseason slump
Aaron Judge’s postseason struggles haven’t gone unnoticed by Yankees fans. During Game 2 of the 2022 ALDS, he was met with boos from the home crowd after starting the series 0-for-8, with seven strikeouts and a walk—despite having set the AL home run record just a week earlier.
Judge remained unfazed by the reaction, insisting the postseason doesn’t bring extra pressure. He emphasized that it’s the same game they’ve been playing all year and reiterated his lifelong goal of winning a championship, a priority that has defined his time in New York. “It’s really not about putting any pressure on anybody,” the Yankees captain told. “It’s the same game we’ve been playing all year.”
While Judge takes personal responsibility for the Yankees’ past playoff shortcomings, his teammate Giancarlo Stanton sees postseason expectations as a shared burden. Stanton stressed the importance of bringing a title back to New York, noting that opportunities for success are fleeting. He urged the team to seize the moment, recognizing that the window for winning isn’t permanent.
“He and we understand the weight of what we need to do, the importance of this time, the importance of bringing a championship to the city,” Big G said. “As the years go on, it’s why you don’t take this time for granted. You’re not guaranteed these moments, these times. And as the years have gone on of not accomplishing that, that window isn’t going to be open forever.”
At 32, Judge still has seven years remaining on his contract. Yet, this postseason feels particularly crucial. With Juan Soto batting ahead of him in the lineup, Judge may have his best chance yet to secure that elusive title. The current alignment of talent on the roster makes this October campaign feel especially significant, as future opportunities with the same core group of players are far from certain.
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have become a dynamic force for the Yankees, drawing comparisons to iconic duos like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Though the pair fell just short of joining an elite group of teammates to hit a combined 100 home runs in a season, they know that individual accolades mean little if the Yankees’ postseason journey falls short.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole touched on the looming question of Soto’s future, expressing gratitude for having him on the roster but acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his upcoming free agency. While Soto has clearly enjoyed his time in New York, bonding with teammates and energizing the fanbase, his long-term plans remain unknown.
Judge, meanwhile, continues to build on an already remarkable career. This season, he posted a .322 batting average, 58 home runs, and a 1.159 OPS over 158 games, cementing his place as one of baseball’s premier hitters. His evolution into a more complete player has not gone unnoticed by fellow athletes, including Jazz Chisholm Jr., who called Judge the most impressive hitter he’s ever seen. Chisholm highlighted Judge’s remarkable consistency, even during tough stretches.
“Judge is the most amazing hitter that I’ve ever watched personally,” Chisholm remarked. “Standing on deck and in the dugout and watching him hit every day, even when he’s going through it, you can see nothing’s really changed. He’s just going to keep on doing the same thing and keep on going.”
Judge’s significance to the Yankees is undeniable, with many expecting his No. 99 to one day be enshrined in Monument Park. He understands that postseason success is fleeting, a lesson underscored by his absence from last year’s playoffs due to injury.
Stanton added his voice to the growing chorus of praise, “The guy is phenomenal.”
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- Categories: aaron judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Juan Soto, Lou Gehrig
- Tags: aaron judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Juan Soto, Lou Gehrig
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