Enough hilarity. One player - one human being - occupies Center Square, and it's not Paul Lynde. His name is Aaron Judge, and every conversation about 2025 runs directly through him.
Last year, he hit 58 HRs, led the AL in RBIs by 26, and batted .322 - three scratch singles from the Triple Crown - and it wasn't his greatest season. Think about that. His MLB-leading OBS landed 100 points ahead of the runner-up, a DH named Ohtani. But it wasn't his greatest season. That came three years ago, when Judge had what is arguably the greatest season ever by a hitter.
So, naturally, all we'll hear this spring are questions about his postseason slump and The Flub.
We can prattle until sunrise about the Yankee Vision Quest at 3B, or what happens if/when Giancarlo Stanton limps off into the sunset, but if Judge, at 33, puts together another Ruthian Judgeian season, we have a puncher's chance in every matchup, from April through October.
And if Judge gets hurt - two years ago, he missed about 60 games after smashing into Dodger Stadium - there is no replacement, nothing, nada. (Some might ponder Vladimir "I'll never play for the Yankees; wait, I've changed my mind" Guerrero. But Toronto won't trade him to us, and if it ever comes to an auction, he'll wind up on the other side of town, anyway.)
Yank fans have been blessed to watch the modern day Bambino - a complete version, not a steroidal Barry Bonds, a showy Reggie Jackson, or a strikeout machine like Mark McGwire. We got to witness - and, hopefully, appreciate - the greatest player in our lifetimes. He's a Gold Glove RF who sacrificed his legs last year to roam CF for 105 regular season games, without making one fucking error. Not one.
So, obviously, we'll obsess over the fly ball that bounced off his glove, and the postseason where he hit .186. We'll keep reliving Game 5 Inning 5 until something comes along to replace it. Because that's what we do. We have been waiting since 2009 for our prince to come.
But make no mistake: Everything is Judge. If he's healthy, we are Alpha Males in the AL East. If he's healthy, whoever hits in front of him will have a great year.
What? You say he'll miss Juan Soto? Let's get this straight: Last year, Soto didn't protect Judge. Not once. It was always the other way around. Let's see how Whining Juan does without the game's greatest hitter in the on-deck circle. What? Francisco Lindor, you say? Fine, if you add 20 HRs, 50 RBIs and 50 batting points. What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson? Joltin' Joe has left and gone away? Not at all. He's still a Yankee.
So... do we have 6'7" of bubble wrap?
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25 comments:
Going into his 33rd year as a baseball player, I hope he has on payroll a top-notch nutrtionist and personal trainer.
year 33*
Judge is a great regular season player. A denegration that will follow him for eternity unless he suddenly becomes a postseason beast. You know, like Stanton. He needs to do it, and as Carl points out, the clock is ticking.
That's why Game Five was all the more of a pity. Judge seemed to be finally coming around at the plate. Had a homer, a double, and I think a long sac fly. He was finally with it. And then...
...But I really wonder if anyone can drag the Yanks back to the World Series. Now Wells has some mysterio injury that is keeping him from swinging? Never mind third base. We'll be lucky if anyone is able to play by Opening Day.
Dearest ITITHIGHERS ~ ~ ~ Lettuce not forget that the man will be also managing his 2025 season as a world-class professional baseball player with his time as a first time Daddy.
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
Thank god there's a huge supply of pinstriped binkies available and at the ready.
And, as we all know, in a pinch, if there's no binky available in the club house that baby judge can just use Cashman's big bald head, instead. I mean, after all, that's what, uh, uhm, you know Hal uses in times of stress.
Preferably one not employed by the Yankees.
It's not one player, not even one like judge. What we need - what the dynasties have always had - and what we will ALWAYS need is a T E A M. A group of players with what they call "chemistry," that indefinable thing, e'sprit de corps. extra sensory perception, voodoo, whatever you want to call it. And we are so fucking far from that it's not funny. Smells like teen spirit.
Duque is correct of course. Aside from any possible injury concerns (I’d expect to see Judge get plenty of time at DH, with or without Stsnton), the question is who will protect Judge in the lineup? Savvy pitchers will simply pitch around him, especially with the likes of Austin Wells batting behind him. We can’t do it without Judge, but we need more.
it takes a village
I see what you did there
Duque, not much to protect Judge in the lineup. Will he ever showup in the post season?
The thing about the drop, he was trying to do too much. Trying to maybe nail the runner too, took a peek. Probably doesnt bother in July. It sucked, but can't...wont...hold it against him. He's simply one of the greatest baseball players ever.
Chris Kirschner on X reports Aaron Boone said Clarke Schmidt has a “cranky back.” No word on what the back was so cranky about.
More good news:
Bryan Hoch: Chase Hampton has a right flexor strain and “something going on in the UCL,” Aaron Boone said. Hampton is in NYC for testing. “He’s pretty bummed.” Translation: TJ surgery.
Stroman will start the first ST game on Friday.
Amazing how many of our players managed to get hurt during the off-season.
And Bitty, with all due respect, I don't even think we need esprit de corps. I would settle for depth. The 1977 team, for instance, had Lou Piniella, Paul Blair, Cliff Johnson, Chicken Stanley, and George Zeber (.323) on the bench, and picked up Dave Kingman down the stretch.
In 1978, our star second baseman got hurt at the very end of the season—and Brian Doyle came off the bench and hit .438 in the World Series. In the same Series, rookie Jim Beattie pitched his first, major-league complete game.
But hey, why build depth when instead you can always rely on wishin' and hopin' and prayin' just like Our Little Cashman does?
I agree with you, Hoss. I'd take a deep bench that hates each other and constantly gets into fist fights on said bench over a bunch of peace and love noodniks. But I just like sprinkling my posts with occasional French phrases to raise the class level around here. Next time we all go to the stadium, we should wear berets and kiss each other on the cheeks.
C'est bon!
The pen is on the table!
https://www.culturekings.com/products/new-era-new-york-yankees-black-melton-wool-beret-black-white?srsltid=AfmBOoorNJ6-H42RMzH8NMbFMR56ilXNnIJaoFWhvaGdLElBX-23TKBt
Duque, great post regarding Judge! I can't think of a player so great but so underappreciated. I started following the game in1975 and have read volumes of books on the sport. Since WWII ( careers starting) who has shined more brightly than Judge? I'm talking career peak here. I'd say Mantle, Mays, Trout, Schmidt, Miguel Cabrera, Pujols.... Undoubtedly I'm missing some players, and there are many more who will probably have a higher career WAR. But this bullshit about his playoff hitting or the worst fuckin error in the history of team sports gets to be a bit much.
I think that there is a pretty simple explanation for his failures in the playoffs. Teams plan their pitching with the mantra "don't let Judge beat you". And suddenly Stanton becomes a Boss. And that is not to degrade Stanton, who has had a greatly under appreciated career. Had Judge been surrounded by the players from the seventies winners, or the Torre teams I have no doubt that Judge would have been a renowned " clutch" hitter. I hope that he has a gentle aging curve, we are unlikely to see anyone like him again, including being a true class act.
Kevin, Judge is likely a Vampire........
Or a tremendous leprechaun...
AA, LOL! HEY, vampires don't age!
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