Of course, Aaron Judge provides the straw that stirs the New York Yankees’ offense. His slugging abilities and RBI work make him a fearsome hitter for any American League opposing team. Judge needs to have a season of redemption.
Everyone has seen over and over again Judge’s misplay of a fly ball in the deciding Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers took advantage of the miscue, scoring runs, winning 7-6, and securing another MLB title.
Judge will have plenty of opportunities to show fans that he’s gotten over that major error. He was error-free all season long until he couldn’t catch a fly ball. As the Yankees enter a new season, major injuries are piling up. Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu are dealing with, ones that will keep them off the field. This adds even more pressure on Judge to deliver in clutch-hitting situations. Forget about the Gerrit Cole matter for the Yankees’ pitching rotation.
Yankees fans want their team to get back to the Fall Classic. These headlines don’t sound good at all. Therefore, it’s all the more important for Aaron Judge to be ready to go.
MLB experts are already putting Judge among the favorites to win the AL MVP title. Judge won the 2024 crown after posting 58 home runs and 144 RBIs for the Bronx Bombers, despite a slow start to the season. Judge’s AL MVP honor was the second one of his career.
Why a redemption season? Because fans have long memories. That play, a simple misplay in center field, sticks in the craw of New York Yankees fans. They wanted their team to defeat their longtime arch-rival from the West Coast. Aaron Judge must know that the pressure is on him in spring training.
One person he will not have in the lineup this season to help pick up the slack is Juan Soto. Soto played a solid part in helping the Yankees win the AL Championship Series. He took his talents over to the National League for a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
All of this sets Judge up to be the big man in the Yankees’ offense. Redemption itself comes in many forms, from a game-winning homer to an incredible game-saving catch. The biggest redemption he can have will be to bring another World Series title to the Bronx. Yankees manager Aaron Boone is going to keep his eye on Judge, too. Getting back to the World Series and finishing the job is definitely on Boone’s mind. Judge’s efforts on offense and defense will be necessary to make everything come together.
Aaron Judge already has a massive amount of respect from MLB teams and followers. He’s been a juggernaut throughout his career. Starting out strong this season for the New York Yankees can change people’s short-term memories. Judge must have a season of redemption. He’ll get his homers and RBIs. He’ll make Yankees fans root for him every time he steps into the batter’s box. Fans will type on social media, or even share on posts former Yankees announcer Jon Sterling’s infamous homer call for Judge, “All Rise!”
Redemption is the key word for Aaron Judge. It’s time for him to get the job done.
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