JUDGE'S FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS INJURY EARLY ON HAS MADE HIS RECOVERY MORE CHALLENGING

Source: NY Post: Charles Wenzelberg

Aaron Judge is a hardworking baseball player.  Ironically, that may be part of his problem.  I mean, if you are looking for a problem.  He has been nothing short of spectacular in the way he has shaped the franchise following the departure of Derek Jeter, who held that position for 20 years.  He has brought life back to right field as the Judge's Chambers is a permanent fixture and tourist attraction at the Stadium.  But he what he can't do is stay healthy, being bitten by the injury bug more than any of us would like.  Yet, the silver lining of this baseball pause is that Judge is healing nicely, and that rest he is getting is the best thing he can do for his body.

Source: Sue Ogrocki/AP

“It’s been very productive to have this time to allow that rib to heal, and that is happening,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on the team’s YES Network. “As to where he’s at exactly, we don’t have anything for you on that yet,’’ reported the New York Daily News.  As long as Judge is listening to the experts and his body, we are good but if he gets anxious and antsy to push himself, that is going to be a recipe for disaster.

Source: NY Post

“I think the consistent swinging and weightlifting throughout the whole offseason really didn’t give it the chance to [heal]. If somebody breaks their leg and they’re In a cast, they’re immobilized for a couple weeks or months … You give the bone a chance to heal,” Judge when the broken rib was finally announced in March. “But me, pissed about how the season ended last year, and the changes I wanted to make, I felt right back to it. We’ve all been through pain, bumps and bruises. In my head, I felt like it was something that I could fight through and I think that kind of cost me a little bit there,” said Judge as reported by the News.

Source: NJ.com

Athletes need to listen to their bodies.  It is sort of like what my company says to us when we want to do something that the organization is just not quite ready for yet:

1. What the Yankees need to do 
2. What Aaron needs to do. 
3. What Aaron wants to do.

The team is counting on Aaron Judge to perform at a very high level.  And if he puts his wants ahead of his needs and the Yankees needs, then he will hurt the team.  I appreciate his work ethic; I wish more people had that kind of grit.  Yet, right now he needs to just let the lung and rib heal, completely before trying to go balls out.

Source: The LA Times

As Dr. Alan Goldberg who has treated professional athletes writes in the newsletter Competitive Advantage, "The mental pain caused by your injury and the temporary or permanent loss of your sport can be far more devastating than the strained or torn ligaments, pulled muscles, ripped cartilage or broken bones. Unless this type of pain is directly addressed and “treated”, your overall recovery will be slow and incomplete." He lists a number of key strategies for athletes and their coaches to apply when fighting back mentally and physically from injuries.

Source: NY Post

One of the strategies is "Don't allow the athlete isolate himself from the team" which can be difficult during this baseball pause and social distancing.  The doctors are monitoring Judge closely but the uncertainty still prevails as they have not been able to connect with him for about a week.  Here's hoping Aaron is listening to his body, not doubting himself and staying calm during this uncertain time.  I hope he comes back healthy and ready to go, but if he's not ready, yet, I hope he won't mask things and be upfront with his feelings.  We need Judge healthy to win.  It is just that simple.  Let's hope that happens.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof