Aaron Judge
Credit: X/Twitter

The New York Yankees will go back to the drawing board this off-season to salvage the 2023 season debacle. They have an extra month to prepare after crashing out of the playoff race in September. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge, the newly minted captain, will have an important role to play in the decision-making.

Aaron Judge has eight years left on his extension contract, and thus, the Yankees’ plans and strategies will revolve around him. Moreover, now that Judge is the franchise’s captain, his role in roster decisions has become more crucial than ever. Thus, that responsibility deserves the Judge’s undivided attention. However, his off-field adventurers have got him in the bad light.

   

Yankee Fans Hit Out At Aaron Judge For Wasting Time During Off-Season!

Yankees
Aaron Judge in the dugout during the Yankees’ game against the Red Sox on June 10, 2023. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

Aaron Judge is undoubtedly a fan favorite and a beloved figure of New York City’s sports culture. However, the unprecedented times have not even spared the captain from the dejected fans’ wrath. The Yankee fanbase, known for their brutally honest nature, targeted their captain this time around for unusual reasons. Judge, who is enjoying an extending off-season, turned up for the New York Knicks’ opening NBA game at Madison Square Garden. The captain is an avid lover of sports and has often been seen attending a variety of sports games. However, this time, his outing attracted unwanted attention. Judge’s attendance at the NBA game left the Yankee fans highly unimpressed.

Apparently, the fans want Aaron Judge to focus and devote his valuable time to getting the New York Yankees back in World Series contention. That can be done only when Judge is sitting with the franchise leadership, making crucial decisions. They firmly believe that the captain is merely wasting his time with off-field adventures. He needs to put the extended off-season time to good use. While the fans’ outrage is understandable, it’s important to note that Judge is a human at the end of the day. The 2023 season has not been kind to him personally. Thus, he also needs some time off to get his head into the right place ahead of the crucial 2024 season. Also, Judge is the ambassador of New York’s sporting culture. Thus, his presence during high-profile games makes a lot of impact on the sporting community at large.

Judge Focused On 2024 Season Preparations This Off-Season!

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge indirectly silenced the critics at a recent event. On Tuesday, he met a couple of sick kids in New York to fulfill their wishes as a part of the Make-A-Wish foundation event. During the event, he talked to the New York Post and shared details of his off-season training. He said he is devoting 99% of his off-season time to 2024 season preparations.

Yankees
Credit: Getty Images

He wants to make good use of the extra four weeks of rest to return to grind early during November. Also, Aaron Judge confirmed having tough conversations with the franchise leadership to ensure that they fall back into World Series contention. Personally, the slugger feels he has to take a lot of steps in the right direction. But refused to elaborate on what those steps could be.