New York — As Aaron Judge approached a significant milestone in his MLB career, playing his 999th game, he showed more focus on the future than on past achievements. Following a game where his performance helped the New York Yankees secure a 9-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Judge expressed little interest in dwelling on the personal record. “We’ve got to keep moving forward,” he remarked, choosing to defer any celebration or reflection to a later time in his life.
Judge’s impressive early-season form starkly contrasts with his slow start last year. In the first six games of the 2023 season, he had a mere single RBI and no home runs. However, this season, he has already slammed five homers and driven in 15 runs, boasting a .417 batting average. His explosive start matches a historical precedent set by Babe Ruth in 1932, who was the last player to achieve at least five home runs and 15 RBIs in the season’s first six games.
The Yankees as a team are also making history, surpassing the previous record of 17 home runs in the first six games by hitting 22. This feat underscores the team’s powerful start to the season, mirroring their captain’s stellar performance.
Teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. praised Judge’s influence and performance, likening the team’s morale and aspiration to emulate their captain. “Every time I see him, I think he’s on another planet,” Chisholm said, acknowledging Judge as a motivating force within the team.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, jokingly criticized Judge’s impressive performance, highlighting the high expectations that now follow the outfielder due to his consistent excellence. Boone expressed a mix of amazement and comical resignation at Judge’s ability to exceed expectations seemingly at will.
Throughout 999 career games, Judge has amassed 501 extra-base hits, including a milestone 500th home run followed by a double. He is now the fastest in Yankees history to reach 500 extra-base hits, trailing only legends like Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.
Off the field, Judge is not only a leader but also a mentor and role model, evidenced by his reaction to rookie J.C. Escarra’s first major league hit. Escarra, a former substitute teacher and Uber driver, overcame substantial obstacles to reach the majors. Judge’s genuine excitement for Escarra’s success speaks volumes about his character and the cohesive spirit he fosters among his teammates.
As Judge adapts to his new role in right field and experiments as a designated hitter, his versatility on the field continues to grow. Remarkably, he even stole a base recently, adding a surprising element to his already formidable game.
Despite historical comparisons and the high expectations set by his track record, including a less-than-stellar .205 batting average in postseason games prior to last year, Judge maintains a practical and focused approach to each season. With a revised spring training routine, he seems poised for another outstanding year.
The Yankees left for Pittsburgh carrying the momentum of their victory over Arizona, further buoyed by a solid start from pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who marked his first win as a Yankee. As the season progresses, the team looks to continue building on its strong performances, with Judge leading both on and off the field.
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