For Judge, a day full of anticipation
BALTIMORE — Three hours before Sunday’s game, Aaron Judge stood in front of a large MLB autograph board in the visiting clubhouse at Camden Yards and admired some of the legendary signatures, including ex-Yankee and future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera.
Judge is taking it all in — and that will be the case Monday afternoon with the Yankees home opener at Yankee Stadium against the Rays.
Judge made the most of his Sunday with a towering solo home run to lead off the eighth inning, his first of the year, that tied the score at 3-3 as the Yankees went on to stuff the Orioles, 7-3, thus avoiding their first 1-5 start since 1989.
The Yankees trailed 3- 0, but the Orioles pitching staff was determined to hand the game over to the Yankees as it handed out 11 walks. Judge knocked in another run in the four-run ninth and also lined a blistering single off the left-field wall in the sixth, a laser beam that was measured at 115.9 mph, according to @Statcast, the hardest hit ball by the Yankees since the start of the 2016 season. The big man can crush a baseball. Judge was the one Baby Bomber left standing Sunday, as Gary Sanchez is on the DL with a biceps strain and an ill Greg Bird sat out with a sore foot.
This is a transition year, and Monday’s home opener was to be the day Yankees fans got to see all three Baby Bombers together in their first home opener — the changing of the guard.
Bird may play, but the day all three will be in the home opening lineup will have to wait. Judge, the Yankees’ f irst pick of the 2013 draft, 32nd overall, is looking forward to his first Yankees opener for many reasons.
“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest,’’ Judge told The Post. “That’s why every game I try to soak it in and say a quick prayer.
“This is a stepping stone to the final journey. The final journey is winning the World Series, that’s what you want to do but this being my first Opening Day in New York is special.’’
There is a special bond building between Judge, 24, and 14-year-veteran Matt Holliday, 37, too.
“He’s got as much raw power as anybody I’ve ever seen,’’ Holliday said. “And for such a big guy, he is a great athlete. He’s able to do a lot of things that big guys can’t do. He’s very impressive, a very talented guy.’’ The 6-foot-7, 282-pound Judge made a headfirst diving catch to end the
game. But it is not just about talent. “He’s a great kid,’’ said Holliday, who drew a career-high five walks. “I love him. I love talking baseball, he loves talking baseball, we get along really well. I’m just excited to watch him develop and help if I can, just to be there to be his friend and watch him play.
“His talent is crazy and he’s such a great kid, that usually works out pretty well.’’
Holliday has traveled down every major league road and Judge leans on him for advice.
“I asked Holliday about his career, he’s had one heck of a career and he said, ‘It just completely flies by,’ ’’ Judge said. “I want to soak it in on Opening Day so I can tell my kids about it one day.’’
Most of all, Judge said he will relish being in front of Yankees fans.
“Seeing the fans is probably my favorite thing,’’ the right fielder said. “When I run out for stretch I just kind of take a peek around the ballpark and soak in the moment. Not too many people get to wear pinstripes and be on that field. I’m looking forward to seeing Yankee Stadium packed and am excited for the ballgame.’’
Judge realizes the Baby Bombers are still learning.
“I think we’re all going to handle it well,’’ he said. “The more games we get the more comfortable we get as the season goes on.’’
This Opening Day is a major stepping stone. Judge will have the chance to make memories.