Tampa, Fla. — Judge Aaron smiled widely when asked if he could repeat his feat last year, when he hit a record 62 home runs in the US Championship. New York Yankees.
“You never know,” he said after the Yankees’ first full-team practice Monday. “I really don’t like putting a number in there. I just love going out there and trying to control what I can control, but you never know what could happen. So here we go. will watch about 62.”
Judge was named MVP of the American League after breaking Roger Maris’ record of 61 home players, set in 1961. Judge’s 131 RBIs drew with New York Mets‘ Pete Alonso for most majors and Judge’s .311 polished GPA ranks second in the AL. After becoming a free agent, Judge agreed to a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees.
“Last year it was fun chasing history and having those moments,” Judge said. “Every time we play in New York, I feel like you’re chasing history. In the Bronx, it’s certainly never easy. You have to accept those challenges.”
Judge dropped uncomfortably when New York was wiped out by eventual World Series champion Houston in the AL Championship Series. He went 1 to 16 (.063) without homers or RBI.
New York hasn’t won the World Series since 2009.
“That bothers me, and I think it bothers the team as well,” Judge said. “Every year we don’t finish what we started, it clings to us in different ways. I think every failure pushes you towards that end goal.”
After Judge agreed to a new long-term deal with the Yankees in late 2022, he became the first New York captain since Derek Jeter from 2003 to 2013.
“I’m going to do what I’ve been doing for the last six or seven years, trying to set an example,” Judge said. “Speak for this team on and off the pitch. Keep pushing this team to the ultimate goal of bringing the championship back to New York.
“That’s why I’m here. It’s one of the main reasons why I want to come back and wear plaid. There’s a lot of unfinished business here. I’m looking forward to the new role but everyone things that haven’t changed for me.”
Judge practiced batting for the first time with the pitching watch that will be used this season and admits it will take some getting used to after that.
“Oh my, I completely forgot about it until about three pitches,” Judge said. “I had to double check myself because I went into the box for about eight or nine seconds. It would be hit one, hit two, hit three for me. After we played a few games, Take a few hits, you’ll get used to it.”
Judge is looking to improve his contact rate this season and has spoken with other major jumpers about a two-stroke approach, including blending in a stride-free approach. .
