Aaron Judge Still Believes in Himself ...... ‘I’m Still Aaron Judge’

[Colts And Orioles]

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In spite of the absence of Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge's sub-par start to the 2024 season, the Yankees are tied with the Orioles for 1st place as the month of April nears its end ...... if Gerrit Cole comes back strong from his injury and if Aaron Judge finds his previous elite form, can the Yankees reclaim what has been their their perennial place as the champions of the AL East division by season's end ???



‘I’m Still Aaron Judge’: Why the Yankees’ Captain Believes That He Can Turn It Around

(By Jorge Castillo)

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ees-slow-start

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[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

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In spite of the absence of Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge's sub-par start to the 2024 season, the Yankees are tied with the Orioles for 1st place as the month of April nears its end ...... if Gerrit Cole comes back strong from his injury and if Aaron Judge finds his previous elite form, can the Yankees reclaim what has been their their perennial place as the champions of the AL East division by season's end ???



‘I’m Still Aaron Judge’: Why the Yankees’ Captain Believes That He Can Turn It Around

(By Jorge Castillo)

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ees-slow-start

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Since this post, these are Judge's numbers ......



HR: lllllll, 6

RBI: lllll 14

BA: lllll) .346

OBP: lll. .469

OPS: lll) 1.238

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[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

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Since this post, these are Judge's numbers ......



HR: lllllll, 6

RBI: lllll 14

BA: lllll) .346

OBP: lllt .469

OPS: ll,) 1.238

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Judge's final numbers for the 2024 season ......



HR: llllllll 58

RBI: lll) 144

BA: lllll) .322

OBP: llll .458

OPS: lll) 1.159

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[Colts And Orioles]

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Aaron Judge and the Pride of the Yankees

(By Wright Thompson)

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...egends-red-sox

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[Colts And Orioles]

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Good news for Yankee fans ...... Aaron Judge l WILL NOT l need surgery for his sore elbow.



Yankees Get Surprising Aaron Judge Elbow Injury Update Amid Tommy John Fears

(By Adam Weinrib)

https://yanksgoyard.com/yankees-get-...mmy-john-fears

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[Colts And Orioles]

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Aaron Judge has company in hot hitting in the upper portion of the Yankees' lineup ...... a fellow by the name of Ben Rice.



Why the Yankees’ Ben Rice Is Turning Aaron Judge’s Head With His Strong Start

(By Brendan Kuty)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...s-aaron-judge/



NEW YORK — When Aaron Judge is on deck, he isn’t simply warming up. The New York Yankees star stands off to the side, where he can get a clear look at the pitcher on the mound, and times the pitcher’s delivery. He does it pitch after pitch, cocking back his barrel and lifting his front leg until it’s his turn to walk to the plate.

Because lead-off hitter Ben Rice worked a full-count walk to lead off Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, Judge was able to time six of lefty starting pitcher Cole Ragans’ pitches. So, Judge was ready when Ragans threw him a first-pitch curveball; he crushed it for a home run to center field to open the scoring en route to a 7-0 beatdown that sealed the series sweep at Yankee Stadium. (It also helped that Yankees starter Ryan Weathers handled the 2-hour, 45-minute rain delay before first pitch, then struck out eight over 7 1/3 innings.)

Sure, Rice went on to hit a solo shot of his own in the second inning and draw another walk, but his patience to start the game — and the respect Ragans gave him — set the tone in a way that continues to impress Judge, who’s been one of the best hitters in the game for a decade.

“Just quality at-bat after quality at-bat,” Judge said. “Doesn’t matter who’s on the mound or what the situation is: He’s working a five-, six- or seven-pitch at-bat. Or, if you give a mistake early in an at-bat to him, he’s going to hit it.

“It’s just been impressive to see him take his walks when he can, come up with a big hit when we need it and keep passing the baton when we need it. It’s impressive.”

Rice ...... not Judge ...... has been the Yankees’ most dangerous hitter through their 13-9 start, which has them a half-game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the American League East.

He has homered in his last four games, becoming the first Yankees player to do so since Judge did it in 2024. His 1.276 OPS is the best in the majors. His .338 batting average is the second-best in the game, and he’s tied for the third-most home runs with eight, one less than Judge.


Ben Rice’s To-Do List:

Thursday: Home Run ✔️
Friday: Home Run ✔️
Saturday: Home Run ✔️
Sunday: Home Run ✔️

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 19, 2026


The Yankees have also done well in getting the lefty-hitting Rice in seemingly favorable matchups against other lefties, against whom he struggled last year. Three of Rice’s last four homers have come against lefties, and going into Sunday, he was hitting .313 (5-for-16) versus southpaws. The Yankees also started him Saturday against left-hander Noah Cameron, and Rice blasted a solo shot off him.

“I like him pretty much against everyone,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I definitely liked him today and yesterday. Sometimes you talk, and it’s just (about) left-right. It’s not just left-right. Every individual starter is in their own bucket, and what’s down in the (bullpen) and what’s available and all of those kinds of things. There’s a lot more to it, whether he throws with this arm or with that arm. Bottom line is I think (Rice) is turning into, or even is, one of the really outstanding hitters in the league. That’s what he is right now.”

The performance comes on the heels of Rice’s hitting 26 home runs with a .836 OPS in 138 games in his first full MLB season last year. And he’s doing it this season in his first foray as a full-time first baseman after being a regular catcher in the minor leagues. Sunday, he was the designated hitter.

“It’s just been a steady ascent for him,” Boone said.

The Yankees might consider putting Rice ahead of Judge in the lineup more often. It had happened only twice this season before Sunday. Rice has had a good amount of leadoff experience, having started there 21 times last season and posting a .910 OPS in the batting order position.

Rice said he won’t change his approach if he’s hitting ahead of Judge.

“Wherever you’re at in the lineup,” he said, “you’re probably there for a reason. It’s probably for something that you already do. So there’s no reason to change anything. I’m ready to go, always.”

Could he form a power duo with Judge, the way Judge has in the past with Juan Soto or Giancarlo Stanton ???

“I don’t know about teaming up,” Rice said. “It feels good to hit some homers. He’s always going to be hitting homers. To be able to hit some along with him is cool for me.”

Judge said he foresees Rice causing “some headaches” for opponents.

“He’s top of the league right now,” Judge said.

And it was clear from the first at-bat Sunday, when Rice fought through six pitches and Judge was able to capitalize right away.

“A good, long grind-it-out at-bat by Benny there, and then the homer, and all of a sudden we’re ahead 2-0 because of just two heavy at-bats against you right away,” Boone said.

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