What a blast!
Watching slugger blossom fun for all
AARON Judge is the greatest show on baseball earth.
“Each at-bat is must see TV,’’ Brett Gardner told The Post.
“He’s a beast,’’ said Dellin Betances — who, at 6-foot-8, is the one Yankee bigger than Judge. “Honestly, if I’m a fan here in New York, I come see him. I’ll pay an expensive ticket to come see him.’’ Yes, it’s even better live. Judge blasted two more home runs Tuesday night in the Yankees’ 11-5 win over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. And both home runs told the story of Judge’s sweet swing. His first came in the third inning off Mat Latos and wa s an opposite-f ield shot down the right-field line, Judge’s shortest home run of the season.
His next blast was a towering three-run drive to left field that was so high, the 30,058 fans at Yankee Stadium had plenty of time to scream with pleasure. Judge fouled off 3-2 pitch after 3-2 pitch by Jason Grilli in that seventh inning before getting the slider he could crush.
It was a majestic shot that landed 359 feet from home plate but came with a 39-degree launch angle. His first home run of the night traveled just over the rightfield wall.
There eve n were “MVP’’ chants.
With Mets ace Noah Syndergaard out indefinitely, this town now belongs to Judge. Thor has been replaced by The Judge — all rise to the sound of the gavel that comes before each of his at-bats.
Before the game Judge had fun switching uniforms with 5-foot-8 shortstop Ronald Torreyes.
“His jersey came down to my knees,’’ Torreyes said with a laugh.
Yankees Magazine “was doing a story, and we saw a sign out there that said, ‘ No borrowing uniforms’ at the club,” Judge said, “so we switched jerseys and did a little thingg with that. His jersey was really small. I had to squeeze into it.’’
Then in batt i ng practi ce, Judge hit one of his patented BP bombs and broke one of the TVs in the outfield terrace.
“They were wearing me out about that,’’ Judge said with a smile. “They said they were going to take it out of my check.’’
It’s a show before and during games.
The best thing about Judge, who is hitting .500 on the homestand: He is here to win games. Judge is a top-step player. He is here for his teammates.
Right now Judge is the only Baby Bomber standing. Gary Sanchez began his rehab assignment Tuesday and will return shortly. Greg Bird was put on the disabled list earlier in the day because of the bone bruise on his right ankle and will be lost for a while.
Judge is carrying the Baby Bombers banner.
The 6-foot-7 Judge is not just carrying the banner, he has lifted it high above his head. Judge is everything the Yankees could have hoped for and much more.
“Impressive,’’ manager Joe Girardi said on the night the Yankees also got two home runs from Gardner.
This is Judge’s town right now. He is larger than life, like Syndergaard, but is quicker to smile. You can tell he is having more fun than anyone, and he has respect for the game in every way, knowing he could be humbled in his next at-bat.
It won’t be long before his No. 99 jersey is the jersey of Yankees fans. He is becoming the star of this generation.
No one expects him to keep up this kind of production, but Judge clearly, with his big swing and his comfortable plate coverage, is capable of hitting any ball out of the park — especially hitter’s heaven Yankee Stadium.
The best thing Judge is doing is taking his walks. He is not forcing the action.
He has made the key adjustments from last year. He had 84 at-bats last season with four home runs and a .179 average. In 83 at-bats this season he has 12 home runs and a .313 average.
That is the beauty of baseball. Every once in a while there is a great surprise, and this year it is happening in The Bronx. Enjoy the baseball show.