The New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry got heated up last weekend, and captain Aaron Judge bore the brunt of it without any fault of his own. With a 2-0 lead in the four-game series, the Yanks stepped out to claim the series in game 3 before Gerrit Cole imploded in rare failure.
Gerrit Cole chose to walk Rafael Devers intentionally in an animated fashion. However, the early celebrations turned into a nightmare as the Red Sox scored seven runs in 4.1 innings. The night turned into a battleground when the Red Sox sought revenge for Cole’s antics on Aaron Judge, and Alex Core’s post-game comments further fueled the fire.
Alex Cora Opens Up On Failed Attempt Of Hitting Aaron Judge
In a controversial move that has ignited outrage across the baseball community, the Boston Red Sox manager openly admitted to intentionally targeting New York Yankees star Aaron Judge during Saturday’s game. The incident unravelled during the eventful start by Gerrit Cole, who hit Rafael Devers in the first inning before allowing him an intentional walk. In the sixth inning, Red Sox starter Brayan Bello threw a 97.4 MPH sinker that hit Judge’s leg. Later, in the post-game interview, the Red Sox manager casually acknowledged that hitting Judge was part of the team’s strategy. They apparently wanted to avenge Cole’s antics and purposely targeted Judge.
However, Cora admitted that Brayan Bello actually failed to execute, and hence, the Boston Red Sox had to move on. “We had our chance. It didn’t happen, and we have to move on,” Cora said. The admission has not only angered the Yankees fans but also raised concerns about player safety and sportsmanship in the game. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge, known for his calm and professional demeanour, did not escalate the situation on the field. But his teammates and Yankee manager were quick to condemn the action. Aaron Boone said that the Red Sox are not allowed to pull off such unsportsmanlike and that they should introspect on the kind of baseball they want to promote as a team. Across social media, fans and former players have voiced their outrage, calling for harsher penalties to discourage teams from deliberately endangering players.
Aaron Judge’s Classy Response On Alex Cora’s Admission Wins Hearts
Meanwhile, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge seemingly dismissed Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s comments on the intentional HBP incident. Judge chose to rise above the drama, winning the respect of many. He opined that such tactics are a part of baseball and that he intends to move. But Judge did add that the important thing is to never miss, which the Red Sox got wrong.
“Nothing I can do about it besides take it and go to first. It is what it is,” Aaron Judge said. Rather than escalating the situation or seeking retribution, Judge’s response demonstrated his professionalism and leadership, reflecting his ability to remain composed even in moments of controversy. His focus on team success over personal grievances won the admiration of both Yankees fans and neutral observers.
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