WHAT WILL AARON JUDGE DO FOR AN ENCORE IN 2023?

We witnessed one of the best seasons in history. No we didn't go far in the postseason, but we did see the American League single season home run record get broken by the Yankees very own homegrown Aaron Judge. Couple those 62 dingers with the AL MVP award, and just shy of triple crown numbers, Judge certainly provided excitement to Yankee fans everywhere. So, the question is, what do you do for encore? What changes now that he is Captain?

“For the most part, I’m just going to continue to be myself -- try to be a great teammate, lead by example, be a teammate that helps support everybody around us and push everybody to be their best,” Judge said. “The ultimate goal of playing in New York is to bring a championship home, every single year. That’s what’s going to stay at the forefront for me," reported MLB.com. 

No additional expectations on Judge except for the one he puts on himself in carrying this Yankee team. Win a championship. This will require Judge to step and put on a similar performance as he did last season. "Ruth, of course, didn’t stop hitting homers after he hit 60 in 1927. He came back with 54, then 46, then 49, then 46. The year after Mickey’s Triple Crown year (.353, 52 homers, 130 RBIs), he came back to hit .365 with 34 homers and 94 RBIs," reported MLB.com. But he can't do it alone. It is has to be a team effort, which means, there is no room for error, long lasting slumps and laziness.

Source: ESPN

"Left field was a major problem area for the New York Yankees in 2022 -- just ask any Yankees fan -- and, heading into 2023, not much has changed," reported ESPN. "Hicks consistently drew boos at Yankee Stadium and hit .216/.330/.313 with eight homers, nine doubles and 109 strikeouts in 385 plate appearances across 130 games. He routinely looked lost at the plate by September, and defensive miscues got him pulled from games." This is the kind of "no room for error" I am referring to. And although many sources are reporting that the Yankees' front office has been inquiring about left fielders, there does not seem to be any changes coming any time soon. Which likely puts more pressure on other hitters and defenders in the outfield, namely Judge.

Judge deserves to have teammates that want to work. Lackluster baseball has no home in the Bronx. Aaron Judge's encore needs to be about leading this team to victory. No additional pressure on him for this request, because he said it himself. The ultimate goal of playing in New York is to bring a championship home, every single year. So, every one of those players that report to spring training in the coming week need to have that same purpose, that same passion. Win. Bust your ass. Win. Hustle. Win. No excuses. Win. That is the encore. There is no other but winning their 28th championship. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof