Aaron Judge succeeded legendary shortstop Derek Jeter to become the captain of the New York Yankees in 2023. He was coming off a record-breaking AL-MVP level season and was awarded a nine-year, $360 million expensive contract. However, Judge’s resume remains incomplete despite his personal achievements.
While Aaron Judge is establishing himself as one of the premier hitters in MLB, the New York Yankees are nowhere close to winning a championship. Recently, Derek Jeter stated his opinion on the World Series drought, and his fiery take made Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay believe that the statement was a subtle shade of Judge’s accomplishments.
Michael Kay Links Derek Jeter’s World Series Comments To Aaron Judge
This year’s Old Timers Day celebrations honoured the 2009 World Series-winning Yankees team. The event took place last week at Yankee Stadium, with Derek Jeter leading the pack in the celebrations. During the same event, Jeter stated that the team needed to end the 15-year championship drought and reinstate the glorious status of the franchise. He added that the 162-game regular season success means nothing if it does not result in a ring. For a man who won five titles for the club, the statement made sense. However, Yankee ball by ball announcer Michael Kay took Jeter’s opinion out of context and deemed it a shade at Aaron Judge.
Michael Kay suggested that for Derek Jeter to call out the New York Yankees’ inability to win a championship when captain Aaron Judge is having an MVP season didn’t sit right. “(It’s like) don’t hit me 65 home runs, win me a championship,” Kay said. That being said, by no means did Jeter intend to downplay Judge’s individual accomplishments. In the same interview, he referred to Judge as the perfect candidate to carry forward the legacy and tradition of the Yankees organization of superstar players. Not only that, Jeter deemed himself a big fan of Judge. “I’ve personally enjoyed getting to know him. And I’m a fan of his and what he has been able to accomplish,” Jeter said. For that matter, even Aaron Judge understands the importance of winning a championship as it’s the only thing left for him to achieve in his legendary MLB career.
Judge Grabs Player Of The Week Honour For Third Time This Season
With a barrel full of hits and home runs, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge was named AL Player Of The Week for the record third time this season. From August 20 to 26, Judge went 8-for-21 with a .381 batting average, 7 home runs, 11 RBIs, 4 walks, .519 OBP, 1.429 slugging percentage and 1.947 OPS.
Earlier, Aaron Judge won the Player of the Week honour in May and June. At this pace, the New York Yankees is more or less likely to win the AL-MVP award for the second time in his illustrious major league career. But for that, the Yankees need to step up and ensure a deep postseason run, including winning the prized trophy of the World Series.
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