Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain, was scratched off Sunday’s lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates as the game went into a rain delay. Manager Aaron Boone thoughts its best to rest Judge from the meaningless game and allow him an extra day of rest ahead of the pivotal playoffs.
That being said, the New York Yankees concluded the 2024 MLB regular season with a win against the Pirates to claim the best record in MLB. Personally, captain Aaron Judge finished with a career OPS and slugging percentage that helped him scale a new record and rank beside the greatest legend of the game.
Aaron Judge’s .701 SLG Highest Since Barry Bonds!
The New York Yankees closed out their regular season with a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, wrapping up their campaign with an impressive 94-68 record. As they head into the postseason, manager Aaron Boone made a strategic decision to sit star player Aaron Judge for the final game due to wet field conditions from the rainy weather. With nothing at stake in the regular season finale, Boone opted to rest Judge and prevent any unnecessary injury before the Division Series. Meanwhile, Judge finishes his remarkable season with a .322/.458/.701 slash line, 58 home runs, and a career-high 144 RBIs, putting him in strong contention for his second AL-MVP award. Not only that, but his slugging percentage is particularly noteworthy.
After Sunday, Aaron Judge became the first player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to finish a season with a slugging percentage over .700. This achievement highlights just how dominant Judge has been in 2024. Barry Bonds, one of the most dominant hitters in baseball history, had his best years between 2001 and 2004, with his 2004 season marking the last time anyone achieved a .700 slugging percentage. Even during Judge’s record-setting 2022 campaign, when he belted 62 home runs, he fell short of that milestone with a .686 slugging percentage. However, in 2024, Judge reached uncharted territory, surpassing that elusive .700 mark. Undoubtedly, the captain’s presence in the Yankees’ lineup will be crucial as they aim to secure their 28th World Series title. With the postseason looming, all eyes will be on Aaron Judge as he looks to lead the Yankees through October, starting with the Division Series next weekend.
How Judge Got Yankees Back On Track With Private Meeting?
With the New York Yankees sailing through a rough patch in late August, captain Aaron Judge summoned the team, without coaches and staff, into the clubhouse to hold a closed door meeting. In what was deemed a ‘get together’ by Judge, he reminded the team of their ultimate goal and fueled the lost spark.
“I thought it was a good idea for me to say a couple of words and kind of talk it out,” Aaron Judge said. Following that behind-the-doors meeting, the New York Yankees snapped out of the losing streak to record 14 away wins and booked a postseason berth accordingly. They went on to clinch the AL-East division and finish with the best record in MLB.
Stay tuned with Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite MLB team