As Aaron Judge continues to dominate the 2024 season with a .321 average, 53 home runs, and 136 RBIs, the idea of limiting intentional walks, dubbed the “Aaron Judge Rule,” has sparked conversation among the Yankees. Judge, with a league-leading 125 walks this season, including 20 intentional, has frequently been the target of this strategy. The idea behind the proposed rule is simple: limit each team to intentionally walking one player only once per nine innings, forcing pitchers to face star players more often.
Manager Aaron Boone initially gave a light-hearted response, suggesting, “How about you just can’t walk him?” Boone believes eliminating the intentional walk entirely would challenge pitchers to avoid star hitters creatively, which could result in wild pitches or poorly placed balls. He recognizes the skill in navigating such situations but acknowledges the tension between strategy and fans’ desire to see the game’s best players perform in key moments.
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Ace Gerrit Cole, who recently made headlines for intentionally walking Rafael Devers in an unexpected moment, offered cautious support for the proposed rule. “Actually don’t hate it,” said Cole, appreciating the idea’s potential to preserve game dynamics while still allowing for intentional walks in extra innings or the postseason. Cole added, “Barry [Bonds] would have loved to have had that,” referencing Bonds’ record 120 intentional walks in 2004.
Conversely, Yankees slugger Juan Soto voiced opposition to any limit on intentional walks, emphasizing that it’s a strategic tool for pitchers to navigate difficult game situations. “It’s part of the game,” Soto said, defending the tactic even if it means taking the bat out of his hands.
Judge himself took a balanced approach, acknowledging that while he’d always prefer to hit, he understands the value of getting on base to set up his team. “If that situation ever comes up again where I’m getting walked like that, I’d like to have a rule like that in place,” he said, though he remained focused on the team’s success over personal accolades.
Jose Canseco Claims Aaron Judge Could Join 50-50 Club, But Yankees Won’t Risk Injury
Former Oakland Athletics superstar Jose Canseco believes Aaron Judge has the potential to join the prestigious 50-50 club, achieving 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season. Canseco, the first MLB player to achieve a 40-40 season with 42 homers and 40 steals in 1988, expressed his admiration for Judge’s athleticism and speed.
“People don’t know this about Aaron Judge, but he’s extremely fast,” Canseco said in an interview with Sportsnet. “He could be in the 50-50 club easily. But he’s got a huge contract, and they don’t want him hurt, so he doesn’t steal bases.”
Judge, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 280 pounds, signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2020. While Canseco believes Judge could post 50-50 seasons “back-to-back-to-back,” the Yankees are cautious about allowing their star player to take risks on the base paths, aiming to protect their long-term investment.
Canseco understands the Yankees’ approach, but sees untapped potential in Judge, noting that the team is focused on keeping him healthy rather than letting him display his full range of skills. Judge’s immense value lies in his power at the plate, but Canseco argues that his speed is just as impressive.
