Yankees’ Judge crowned Home Run Derby champion
MIAMI: Aaron Judge launched a series of moonballs into the outfield bleachers as the New York Yankees rookie smashed his way to victory in MLB’s All-Star Game home-run hitting contest on Monday.
The 25-year-old Judge made it look simple, out-slugging Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano 11-10 in the Home Run Derby final ahead of yesterday’s AllStar Game at Marlins Park in Miami.
Judge dominated the competition, with one of his shots sailing 513 feet to left field. He hit several others over 500 feet.
“I was a little nervous going into it,” Judge said. “It was an incredible experience. They all felt good. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Defending champion Giancarlo Stanton was the crowd favourite but he exited early. Stanton was eliminated in the opening round, 17-16, by Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, quashing any chance of a marquee matchup with Judge.
In the semi-finals, Judge defeated Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger 13-12, and Sano got past Sanchez 11-10. Judge’s power display included using all fields, hitting several upper-deck homers to straightaway centre and the opposite field.
Judge, who leads the majors with 30 homers, ousted fellow rookie Bellinger, who was taking pitches from his father Clay Bellinger, a former major league hitter.
Judge is the first rookie and fourth Yankee to win the home run contest, joining Robinson Cano (2011), Jason Giambi (2002) and Tino Martinez (1997).
The home run contest is part of the glitz and glamour that surrounds the annual All-Star Game which this year will feature Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale and Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer as the starting pitchers.
Sale becomes the first pitcher to make back-to-back All-Star appearances following his start for the American League last year while playing for the Chicago White Sox.
The 28-year-old is also the first pitcher to make consecutive starts since Arizona’s Randy Johnson achieved the feat for the National League in 2000-01.