Aaron Judge has never been closer to getting his first World Series ring.
All that stands between the Yankees and their elusive 28th title is the Dodgers — and Shohei Ohtani — as baseball’s two brightest stars are finally headed to the Fall Classic.
“We’ve had our battles throughout the regular season over the years when he was with the Angels, playing back and forth, seeing him hit homers over my head and having some good series,’’ Judge said Tuesday of facing Ohtani. “But getting a chance to play him on the biggest stage in the biggest moment, I think that’s going to be pretty cool to watch.’’
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) takes batting practice when the New York Yankees took part in their 2024 World Series Workout Day on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.Robert Sabo for NY Post
Judge went on to call Ohtani “the best player in the game,” a title that will likely be put to the test over the next week.
But when the World Series ends, the title will go to either the Yankees or the Dodgers — and not Judge or Ohtani.
And Judge has been around Yankee Stadium long enough to know the history surrounding the franchise.
On more than one occasion this postseason, he’s talked about the “ghosts” of the old Stadium playing a role in these playoffs. Coming off one of the greatest individual seasons in franchise history — or any franchise for that matter — Judge and the Yankees still have more work to do.
“The journey is always a tough one, but that’s the fun in all this,’’ Judge said before the Yankees worked out at the Stadium in advance of their first World Series appearance since 2009. “There were good times and bad times, but getting to this point, this is where the real fun starts. For years, as a kid, I’d watch the Yankees play and win the World Series. That excitement, the emotion, the city comes alive. It’s special. I look forward to doing that with this group.”
For all the Yankees’ star power, the spotlight will be brightest on Judge, in the second year of his nine-year, $360 million contract after being drafted by the organization in 2013.
Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) chat when the New York Yankees took part in their 2024 World Series Workout Day on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Yankee Stadium.Robert Sabo for NY Post
He’s become the face of the franchise, but is in the midst of another shaky postseason at the plate, having gone just 5-for-31 with three extra-base hits, seven walks, 13 strikeouts and a .704 OPS through nine games.
As Judge has proven over the course of his career, he’s capable of going on a hot streak like virtually no other player in the sport. The World Series would be a good time for that to happen.
He talked about what it’s like to be around former players who have won titles in The Bronx.
“They’ve got a different aura, walking around and you’ve got a couple of rings on your fingers,’’ Judge said. “The biggest thing is they’re battle-tested. They’ve been through the grind, the ups and downs and came out on top.”
Already, this Yankee team can say that about themselves — at least to a certain extent.
After coming out of the gates hot, with the best record in the sport in the middle of June (50-22 on June 15) and then a mostly ugly remainder of the regular season (44-46), the Yankees turned things around in October, helped no doubt by facing weak AL Central foes in Kansas City and Cleveland.
“Our confidence never changed,’’ Judge said. “The outside noise had a narrative based on how the games were going, but everyone in the room never faltered. We knew what we were capable of.”
They held off Baltimore to win the division and avoid the wild-card round.
“For us, nothing really changed,’’ Judge said. “We had to answer some tough questions and definitely had to make some adjustments at times. But it’s a confident group. Getting knocked down a couple times throughout the season built family unity.”
News
Why Eminem Is More Dangerous Than P Diddy, Jay Z, Suge Knight, And Ice Cube!
Why Eminem Is More Dangerous Than P Diddy, Jay Z, Suge Knight, And Ice Cube! Eminem, the controversial rapper who took the world by storm with his unfiltered lyrics and aggressive persona, has been called many things — a genius,…
1 MINUTE AGO: Caitlin Clark ARRIVED in EUROPE After Signing $92M DEAL! WNBA FANS GO WILD!.
Caitliп Clark’s receпt departυre from the WNBΑ to play iп Eυrope, followiпg her moпυmeпtal $92 millioп coпtract, has shiпed a spotlight oп critical issυes withiп the WNBΑ. Despite her statυs as oпe of the leagυe’s brightest stars, Clark’s decisioп is…
BREAKING! EuroLeague $100 Million Caitlin Clark Deal OBLITERATED WNBA Records!
Caitlyп Clark is coпtemplatiпg a groυпdbreakiпg $100 millioп offer from the EυroLeagυe, a move that coυld reshape the laпdscape of womeп’s basketball aпd pose sigпificaпt challeпges for the WNBΑ Αs oпe of the leagυe’s brightest stars, her departυre coυld devastate…
“Shocking news: WNBA ticket prices plummet after Caitlin Clark’s explosive Europe contract! Is this the end for the WNBA?”
Caitlyn Clark’s recent move to Europe has sparked a crisis for the WNBA, leading to a notable decline in ticket sales, viewership, and player morale. The league’s over-reliance on her star power has exposed vulnerabilities that threaten its sustainability and…
BREAKING NEWS! Ben Affleck Set to RELEASE Documentary EXPOSING Diddy and JLo’s CRIMES (VIDEO).
In a shocking turn of events, acclaimed actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck has announced the upcoming release of a groundbreaking documentary that promises to expose alleged criminal activities involving music mogul Puff Daddy, also known as Diddy, and pop superstar…
J.Lo FURIOUS As LEAKED S*X Tape w/ Diddy & Jay-Z RUINS Her Life!
J.Lo FURIOUS As LEAKED S*X Tape w/ Diddy & Jay-Z RUINS Her Life! In a shocking turn of events, Jennifer Lopez (J.Lo) finds herself at the center of a media storm following the alleged leak of an explicit tape involving…
End of content
No more pages to load