Yankees captain Aaron Judge was met with a chorus of boos from Giants fans as he stepped up to the plate for the first time on Friday night. The hostile reception came after he chose to re-sign with the Yankees on a nine-year, $360 million deal, turning down a similar offer from San Francisco.
Local radio host Matthew Steinmetz was among those jeering, reportedly calling the reigning AL home run champion “gutless” and suggesting that Judge avoided joining the Giants to escape the pressure of playing in Barry Bonds’ shadow.
After a record-breaking 62-homer season in 2022, Judge had seriously considered signing with his hometown team. The Giants matched the Yankees’ offer, but Judge ultimately decided to stay in New York.
The hatred likely fueled Judge’s homer spree in San Francisco. On Friday, he silenced the crowd by hitting two home runs in the series opener. His power display continues on Saturday further disappointing Giants fans who had hoped to see him in their uniform.
California native Judge reflected on his childhood memories at Oracle Park following the Yankees‘ game against the Giants. Growing up as a Giants fan, he shared his mixed emotions about playing at the ballpark he once frequented as a spectator.
Judge reminisced about his childhood dreams of rounding the bases while playing in his backyard and how seeing the left-field bleachers brought back memories of attending games at the venue. He described it as a special place, highlighting the unique experience of now playing on the field where he once watched his heroes.
But the harsh treatment at Oracle Park belied his expectations. But he let his bat respond.
After a slow start to the season, the 30-year-old outfielder posted MVP-caliber numbers in May. Judge, who was batting .174 with three homers through April 22, turned things around with a .371 average, 12 doubles, 14 home runs, and 27 RBIs in May, quelling any early doubts about his MVP candidacy.
Yankees fan rips Aaron Judge’s critic
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