Bleeding Yankee Blue: SOTO AND JUDGE PAIR UP FOR A GREAT ALL STAR GAME

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

SOTO AND JUDGE PAIR UP FOR A GREAT ALL STAR GAME

I am going to admit, I liked the All-Star games when I was growing up. Things were a lot simpler. Firstly, not to date myself, but there was no home run derby. Secondly, players were voted in, they played in their own team uniforms, and they went home. There was no All Star week, fanfest, merch drops or bull riding. It was just a game with all the greats of the day. But now, the All Star game is a huge event with all of the amenities of a cruise, the Oscars and the Super Bowl wrapped into two days. But I will say, I enjoyed watching Juan Soto and Aaron Judge represent the Yankees in Globe Life Stadium on Tuesday night. That part remains the same- seeing your favorites out there on the field together.

"Despite a summer slide that has cost the Yankees some ground in the standings, Soto and Judge have performed to expectations, rightfully claiming starting spots in the American League’s outfield for Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Globe Life Field," reported Brian Hoch for MLB.com.

And just like in New York, Soto and Judge batted back-to-back, a pairing that skipper Aaron Boone said he pictured once he heard Soto was coming to New York. “This was what I pictured and fantasized about since it happened and I started writing out lineups,” Boone said recently. “Knowing what they were capable of back-to-back, I would say it’s gone very well. In a lot of ways, it is what I envisioned,” reported Hoch.

The duo looked comfortable in the outfield, equally comfortable at the plate and they both smiled a mile wide. Soto guaranteed that Aaron Judge would have his night against arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes and he did not disappoint. Judge could not get passed the rookie pitcher, however, grounding out hard to third base.

Soto also knocked in a couple of runs and scored early to keep the game exciting and tied at three through four innings. But just like every good thing, there is the possibility of it ending. "The tandem of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge has generated fireworks for the Bronx Bombers, but questions continue to linger over Soto's future in the Bronx. The 25-year-old superstar is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, and he could command up to $600 million on the open market," reported Fansided.

When asked who he would love to play alongside, instead of saying "I like playing with Aaron Judge" the superstar didn't hesitate to name Shohei Ohtani. Although it would be very unlikely the Dodgers would have the cash to pay Soto, I hate that he didn't say New York is his best, and only option.

As the Yankees head into the second half of the season, it is important for them to stay on the rails- the championship rails. If anything is going to keep the duo of Soto and Judge together it could be the journey to the World Series. And to win one in New York would be something special. But this team is a long way from that. For now, I will relish that Soto and Judge shared an outfield as teammates in the All-Star Game; despite the fact that I was worried that one of them or both would fall off the mechanical bull in the pre-game festivities that took this Mid-season Classic to new levels.