The New York Yankees have faced challenging years recently, but there seems to be a shift in their fortunes. The team, historically the most successful in the American League, has shown renewed promise by winning the AL East division and securing a place in the playoffs. They even managed to defeat the Kansas City Royals, earning a spot in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). Fans are feeling optimistic, believing the Yankees might be getting back to their winning ways. However, questions remain about their captain, Aaron Judge.
Aaron Judge, the 2022 American League MVP, dominated during the regular season and came close to breaking his own home run record, ultimately falling short by just seven home runs. He also became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 300 home runs, further solidifying his status as one of the game’s elite players. With these achievements, many expected Judge to carry his momentum into the postseason, his seventh playoff appearance. Yet, Judge has struggled to meet those high expectations, leading some to point to him as a reason for the Yankees’ ongoing World Series drought, which stretches back to 2009.
While star players are often revered, they also face heightened criticism when they fall short. This has been the case for Aaron Judge, who, despite being a standout in the regular season, has underperformed in the postseason. Since his debut in 2016, Judge has yet to lead the Yankees to a World Series title. Although he has achieved significant personal milestones, his postseason numbers have been less impressive. His career postseason batting average stands at .207, with only 12 home runs and 38 hits in 48 games—much lower compared to his regular season average of .288.
Some argue that Judge’s struggles in the postseason may be a key factor in the Yankees’ failure to win another championship. This topic was discussed on the Rich Eisen Show, where Mike Hill questioned whether Judge was to blame for New York’s postseason woes. However, Jayson Stark disagreed, dismissing the idea as an overreaction. Stark pointed out that a small sample of at-bats—like Judge’s recent postseason struggles—should not define a player’s legacy. In contrast, Hill argued that while Judge is well-liked, he hasn’t delivered when it matters most. Hill pointed out that despite reaching the ALCS four times, Judge hasn’t significantly contributed to the Yankees’ playoff success since 2021.
The pressure is now on Judge to reverse this trend and help the Yankees capture a World Series title. While his overall postseason record is underwhelming, Judge has recently shown signs of improvement, scoring four runs in his last four games. With the World Series within reach, the 32-year-old captain will be looking to change his postseason reputation. Only time will tell if Judge can turn things around in the coming games and lead the Yankees to their first championship since 2009.
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