Rivalry intensifies as Aaron Judge reaches 53rd homer, Alex Cora acknowledges retaliation
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Follow UsAaron Judge continues to make headlines with his record-breaking season, but the tension between him and Red Sox manager Alex Cora added another layer of drama to the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry this weekend. Judge hit his major league-leading 53rd home run on Sunday, helping the Yankees secure a 5-2 win. However, it was Cora’s reaction to the ongoing back-and-forth between the two teams that drew just as much attention.
Aaron Judge’s milestone overshadowed by drama
Aaron Judge’s 53rd homer, a 445-foot two-run blast in the third inning, helped the Yankees extend their lead in the AL East. With 132 RBIs, Judge continues to lead the majors in multiple categories and remains the heart of the Yankees’ offense. His remarkable season puts him alongside Yankees legends like Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle, who also hit at least 53 homers in the first 150 games of a season.
Despite Aaron Judge’s incredible performance, the weekend was also marked by tension after Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello threw a pitch behind Judge during Saturday’s game. Reflecting on the incident, Judge shrugged it off, saying, “I think the biggest thing is just don’t miss when you do it.”
Judge, clearly unfazed, responded in the best way he knows how—with his bat. His Sunday home run came with a bit of flair, as he carried his bat halfway down the line before dropping it, subtly acknowledging the ongoing rivalry with Boston.
Cora entered Sunday’s game believing the drama between the Yankees and Red Sox was already settled. After Gerrit Cole hit Rafael Devers with a pitch earlier in Saturday’s game, Cora suspected it was intentional, especially when Cole later issued an intentional walk to Devers. Cora saw Bello’s pitch behind Aaron Judge as a form of retaliation, which he believed ended the matter.
“It was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning,” Cora said before Sunday’s game. “We had our chance. It didn’t happen.”
Cora’s frustration with Cole’s actions on Saturday was clear, as he felt the Yankees ace was avoiding Devers. “It made it loud and clear: Cole did not want to face Devers,” Cora stated, highlighting the lingering tensions from the prior game.
However, after Bello’s attempted retaliation failed to hit Judge, Cora felt that the issue was behind them, and there would be no further incidents between the teams.
Aaron Judge’s record-breaking season rolls on
Amid the drama, Judge’s incredible season continues to shine. With 53 home runs and 132 RBIs, he’s leading the charge as the Yankees make their postseason push. Yankees manager Aaron Boone marveled at Judge’s ability to keep producing despite the pressure. “It’s been an amazing season, and you’re not going to keep him off the board long,” Boone said.
While Cora has declared the rivalry drama over, Judge’s bat and his record-breaking season will continue to fuel the Yankees as they head into the final stretch. The tensions may have cooled, but the rivalry between these two historic teams is far from finished.
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