Showing posts with label rogers hornsby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rogers hornsby. Show all posts

Thursday, December 19, 2024

AARON JUDGE CONTINUES TO WIN!



Aaron Judge’s 2024 season was nothing short of a masterpiece, an extraordinary display of power, precision, and leadership that has firmly entrenched him among the elite players in baseball history. It’s no surprise that he has been named Sports Illustrated’s MLB Player of the Year. When you look at Judge’s 2024 stats, they’re not just good—they’re downright legendary. He posted an astonishing 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, a .458 on-base percentage, a .701 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 1.159. Not to mention he led the majors in walks (133) and times on base (322). These aren’t just numbers; they’re the kind of stats that have people drawing comparisons to some of the greatest players to ever pick up a bat.

As SI’s senior writer Tom Verducci put it, the only place you can find a season quite like Judge's is in the rarified air of baseball immortality, alongside legends like Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, and Mickey Mantle. In fact, Judge’s 2024 season was so good, it feels like it could have been ripped from the pages of baseball's most storied eras—yet here he is, making history in front of our very eyes.

Rogers Hornsby

But what sets Aaron Judge apart isn't just his mind-blowing statistics. It's his presence—on and off the field. In 2024, Judge didn’t just lead the Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009, he became the heartbeat of the team, carrying them through the toughest moments with his bat, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to the game. A role model both in the locker room and in the community, Judge’s leadership qualities shine as brightly as his bat. He is the epitome of a team player—constantly looking to improve and elevate those around him.

Judge’s approach to the game is a master class in humility and dedication. He’s not just interested in individual accolades; he wants to drive in runs, get his teammates involved, and—above all—win. After reflecting on his approach from 2023 to 2024, Judge focused on driving in more runners, capitalizing on opportunities, and ensuring that every plate appearance was a chance to make a difference. With superstar Juan Soto hitting in front of him, Judge didn’t just rise to the occasion—he obliterated it, leading the league in nearly every major offensive category. To say that Judge had a better season in 2024 than he did in 2023 is an understatement—it’s like he found another gear and pushed the limits of what we thought possible.

And let’s not forget, Judge is in rare company when it comes to his historical achievements. He joined Babe Ruth in 1921 as the only player to hit 58 home runs while also leading MLB in both RBIs and walks. When you find yourself in the same sentence as Ruth, you know you’re doing something right.

But what’s even more impressive than Judge’s stats is his mindset. Every season, he reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and how he can continue to improve—not just for his own sake but for the success of the team. His growth is a direct reflection of his commitment to the game, and it shows. He is a baseball player in the truest sense—always striving for excellence, always learning, always pushing the limits of what’s possible.

In a world where many athletes are defined by their flashy performances and social media followings, Judge stands out as a beacon of consistency, professionalism, and integrity. His leadership isn’t about grand gestures or attention-seeking—it’s about quietly setting the example and letting his actions speak louder than words. He’s a leader who leads with his bat, with his work ethic, and with his undeniable passion for the game.

In a time when we sometimes forget what it means to be a true role model, Aaron Judge serves as the perfect reminder. He’s not just an incredible baseball player—he’s a fantastic leader and a shining example of what it means to dedicate yourself to excellence, to uplift those around you, and to give everything you’ve got for the greater good. The 2024 season was his masterpiece, and we’re lucky to witness it.



Sunday, December 23, 2012

REFLECTING ON SOME GREAT BASEBALL QUOTES

 

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." 


That's a quote from Rogers Hornsby, who speaks the truth, at least for me. I’m missing baseball right now and I know I am not alone, but man oh man... winter seems to take too long.  As I sit here and think about this quote I realize two things. One, winter takes even longer to show up here in Arizona and when it does it happens too quickly. It goes from warm one day, to frost warnings the next. It also makes the winter seem longer. Second, since I have so much time to think about baseball….I realized that I have too many “favorite” quotes. Check out some of these, enjoy this like I did!

“Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier, the cigars taste better. 
The trees are greener.”
He added so much color to the game. I don’t know what else to say…he liked the finer things in life to go with all of the accolades. I guess the saying “work hard, play harder” really applies here.

"I'm very proud of my area around the plate. I don't want anyone messing with my dirt." 
Jorge Posada

 I loved how gritty Jorge was, and I miss that. Jorge called a good game and he was so proud of his role and he was strong. He never wavered and he gave us his best. He was a warrior, and he defended his team and home plate honorably. I don’t like people messing with my dirt either. I guess I can relate to Jorge as well as appreciate him.

"I get the ball, I throw the ball and then I take a shower." 
Talk about keeping it simple. That’s about as simple as it gets. The thing I have always loved about Mo is that he is so humble and he holds himself to high standards. He knows what he needs to do and he trusts his skills. Sometimes people over think things, including myself. He makes it look simple even though it isn’t and he is inspiring.

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”

Babe Ruth was a great player, and his quote is also good advice for ball players and baseball enthusiasts alike. Life is too short to play it safe or wonder “what if” years later. With big risks can also come great rewards.


“There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.”


 I love this quote because I believe that whether baseball players like it or not they are role models. Kids everywhere watch these guys on TV or when they go to the ballparks. Who doesn’t want their favorite player to acknowledge them? I’m an adult and I still want that. It’s a special moment that you remember forever. Joe understood how important first impressions were both on and off the field.

"Baseball is 90-percent mental. The other half is physical." 

Who doesn’t love a good Yogi-ism? If baseball was easy we would all be doing it instead of watching it. Sometimes our guys just try too hard and over think it. Or, sometimes they just try to make the play without having any strategy. There is a fine balance in baseball, and in life.

“You play the game to win the game and not worry about what’s on the back of the 
baseball card at the end of the year.”
The stats mean more when you win, right? I miss the warrior. He has such a love for the game. It is contagious.

 "I am dead set against free agency. It can ruin baseball." 
George Steinbrenner

This one just makes me laugh….think about it!! Are you laughing yet?

So I am still sitting here staring out my window thinking about all of these great moments that happened between the long off season. They say Spring  “will be here before you know it”…another quote but this one is more cliché. I am sure Spring is out there somewhere, but I wish it would hurry up and get here!! 

Happy Sunday everyone.  




--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

WHY I MISS THE NEW YORK YANKEES

It happens every November.  It is sort of like a withdrawal from an addiction.  It is kind of like when your best friend goes away or your son or daughter goes away to college.  They are not at an arm’s length.  They are not available.  This quote (HERE), by baseball great, Rogers Hornsby just about sums it up for me, “People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."   
(In Photo: Rogers Hornsby)
I feel this way about the Yankees and it hurts a little bit more this year than in years passed.  As a fan that watches or listens to every game, I feel this void in my life as Thanksgiving approaches and Spring Training feels like a century away.  So why do I miss the Yankees so much?  There are many reasons, but I will narrow them down to three. 

The first reason why I miss the Yankees so much is the thrill of the game.  It is exciting to watch our Bombers battle it out in the field for nine innings.  They always make it interesting.  If it is not the defensive excellence of our first baseman Mark Teixeira, 2012 gold glove winner, it is the hustle of Grandy in center and the professionalism of our other gold glove winner, Robby Cano at second.  They make it look easy and they make the game a thrill to watch.  All three can hit too, usually! 

This brings me to my second reason of why I miss the Yankees so much.  I love the way we win and I love the way we hit our way back into a game.  In an article posted this October (HERE) in the New York Times stated, “The natural rhythms of the baseball season remind us that summer never lasts. In places like New York, the postseason arrives with the cold snap of autumn, the first sign that winter is coming. This is when the Yankees make their mark.”

No other team can do that as consistently as the Yankees can.  And we have been doing this for decades.  In 1923 Babe Ruth clobbered three home runs to beat the Giants in the series.  In 1927, we did it with Murderers’ Row.  That year the Bombers became the first team to sweep the World Series.  They did that again in 1928 and again in 1932, when Babe Ruth hit his famous “called shot.”


We beat up on the Dodgers, the Giants, the Cardinals, the Braves, the Mets and the Phillies.  We did it with hits and when we are unstoppable, we are truly unstoppable.   I am a Yankee fan and I always believe we can win. 
The final reason why I miss the Yankees is I miss Derek Jeter.  I miss his passion and I miss his poise.  I love his confidence.  He is not being cocky when he says we will win, he’s being Derek Jeter, our leader, our captain.  He told us that the ghosts would show up in Boston back in 2009 and they did.  Jeter is a straight shooter, who goes out every day and does his job.  It is not just Yankees fans like you and me who love to watch Jeter, but his fierce competitors love to have him in the game they are playing against the Yankees.
We all grew up, backyard baseball, wanting to win the World Series either against the Yankees or getting through the Yankees to get to the World Series, especially with Derek Jeter as the catalyst. Unfortunately, it happened. We’d love to see him out playing with us and playing against him, because it is really fun playing the Yankees, especially when Derek Jeter is healthy,” said Detroit Tigers Delmon Young following Jeter’s injury in the postseason. 

So, as the frosts of November hit us in the Northeast and we batten down the hatches for a long winter’s nap, I dream of our Boys of Summer and think about the thrill of the games yet to be played on the green grass of Yankee Stadium in 2013. 

What are you missing this off season? Comment.


--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.