M-V-P? YOU BE THE JUDGE
Yankee fans onto something as Aaron makes grand entrance into conversation
Perhaps the Bronx fans have it right. Perhaps it really is allowable now to start asking even loftier questions about Aaron Judge. As we arrive at Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, the breakout star of New York baseball — and maybe even all of baseball — continues generating pinstriped superlatives on a regular basis, with the first grand slam of his career on Sunday the latest timely feat to wow “The Judge’s Chambers” seating section erected last week in his honor — as well as the remainder of those at Yankee Stadium, teammates included.
Judge’s incredible “all-rise” leap into stardom took another significant step during the Yankees’ latest victory, 9-5 over Oakland, with noticeable chants of “MVP” reigning down on the slugging right fielder as he returned to his po- sition following his third-inning clout against A’s righty Andrew Triggs.
Nearly two months into his official rookie campaign — following an inauspicious 84 at-bat debut late last season — it’s no longer so farfetched a notion as Judge continues to front the surprising Yankees to a first-place start in the AL East.
“If he keeps doing this, I don’t see why not. He’s gotta keep it going, man,” veteran teammate CC Sabathia beamed after the Yanks improved to 29-18 on the season entering a key stretch of 13 games against divisional foes beginning Monday in Baltimore. “He’s such a huge part of our team, obviously. We definitely wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
For his part, Judge immediately dismissed any MVP talk following the game, saying “I try not to listen to (the chants). I’ve got a job to do, so I’m not too worried about it.”
In true Derek Jeter-esque fashion, he spoke afterward of his accomplishments only in terms of how they relate to the team winning. Someone clearly taught Judge well there.
Still, even Joe Girardi couldn’t help but notice the supportive chants on Sunday, and the usually cautious manager didn’t particularly seem to mind the intent or the meaning behind them.
“I think it’s great. The kid’s playing well,” Girardi said. “He has a lot of support. It just means that our right fielder is playing really well, so that’s a good thing.”
In a league in which Angels superstar Mike Trout — who sprained his thumb Sunday and eventually left the game — has finished in the Top-2 in MVP balloting in each of his first five seasons, including wins in 2014 and 2016, contending with him and others for the prestigious award over the course of the next four months will be no easy or automatic task for Judge, especially as opposing teams adjust to him.
In fact, only two rookies in MLB history have copped both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season — Boston’s Fred Lynn in 1975 and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. Trout finished second to Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera as a rookie in 2012.
But aside from Trout — who took home the MVP last year despite being on a sub-.500 Angels team (don’t get me started) — tell me who has been more valuable than Judge in the American League so far this season.
Especially with the Yanks reaching Memorial Day with a .617 winning percentage. (That’s a 100-win pace, btw).
Unlike the Mets’ preseason screwup with Michael Conforto, leaving him only as a potential write-in candidate, Judge also notably is included on the AL All-Star ballot. You have to believe his widespread rising popularity means he at least will join Trout as locks to be outfield starters in fan voting for the Midsummer Classic in Miami.
Along with hometown slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Judge also figures to be one of the main attractions for the Home Run Derby, which might actually get me to watch it this year.
Oh, and he’s more than halfway already to Joe DiMaggio’s franchise rookie record of 29 home runs.
Asked if he’s yet considered any of these potential rewards or feats, Judge typically replied, “Not at all. We’re in first place. Everyone’s swinging the bat well. Our team is doing well. That’s all that matters.”
Still, Judge’s grand slam on Sunday moved him back into a tie for the ML home-run lead with Trout, who’d belted his 16th of the season one night earlier.
This one landed just to the center-field side of the cordoned-off Judge’s Chambers in right, his first long ball on the home stand and first since that section of seats for robe-wearing fans had been installed earlier in the week.
“Coming up in a situation like that, (Starlin) Castro had just (struck) out, so my main goal was to try to pick up a teammate,” Judge said. “Castro’s been carrying this team for two months now, so I was just trying to pick him up.”
Indeed, Castro also has posted All-Star caliber numbers, batting .325, while others clearly have done their share for the Yanks to lead the American League in runs scored to this point. And their starting pitching has been far better than advertised, with a more consistent Michael Pineda improving to 6-2 with a 3.32 ERA with six capable innings.
But Judge, with his crazy .321/.422/.679 slash line, unmistakably has been the Yankees’ early MVP candidate, even when he’s not belting prodigious blasts or setting exit-velo records. He has shown improved patience and discipline at the plate over last year, while making acrobatic plays in the field — such as his diving catch in right-center last weekend in Tampa and the tip-drill grab on Saturday off of Castro’s glove. “He’s an amazing athlete,” Girardi said. “When you look at Aaron Judge, I think he’s a defensive end playing baseball, A that’s what I see.” sked about that specific quote, the 6-foot-7 Judge shrugged and added: “I don’t have much to say to that, to be honest. I’m a baseball player, just trying to do my job.” He’s certainly done it at an MVP level so far. And don’t think his teammates haven’t noticed. “Not just because he’s a kid, but just the type of person he is and how hard he works and how much he cares, it all rubs off,” Sabathia said. “It’s been fun to watch it happen. I honestly don’t see why he shouldn’t be in that (MVP) discussion right now.”