Key Takeaways:
– The New York Yankees’ captain, Aaron Judge, was ejected for the first time in his 869-game career on May 4.
– The team was leading 5-3 against the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning when Judge was thrown out.
– The decision by umpire Ryan Blakney caused uproar among Yankees fans, with many criticising his call.
– Despite a slow start in 2024, Judge remains one of the top players in the MLB.
In a first for his career, New York Yankees’ captain, Aaron Judge, was ejected mid-game against the Detroit Tigers on May 4, causing a buzz across the Yankee fanbase. This took place during the seventh inning, where the Yankees were comfortably leading 5-3.
Judge’s Unexpected Ejection
While showing dissatisfaction over a called third strike, Judge was ejected from the match, marking a significant first in his prestigious career span of 869 games. Despite the efforts of manager Aaron Boone, umpire Ryan Blakney wouldn’t be swayed in reversing his decision.
This ejection stirred the Judge’s record making him the first Yankees captain to be ejected since Don Mattingly in 1994. Of note is that Judge, the 16th captain in Yankees franchise history, succeeded Derek Jeter, who was never ejected in his career as the captain prior to his 2014 retirement.
Fans’ Reactions to Judge’s Ejection
Although Judge attempted to walk off without causing a scene, his words to Blakney and subsequent dismissal from the game didn’t go down well with fans. While many held their judgment until more information becomes available about Judge’s words to Blakney, the majority substantially disagreed with the umpire’s decision.
They expressed their disagreement on various platforms, with one fan remarking, “This type of umpire work is ruining baseball.” Another fan was quoted saying, “That is the softest call I ever seen bro.” ‘Terrible umpiring’ and calls that are ‘weak’ and ‘soft’ appeared to be the theme of the fans’ reactions.
Judge’s 2024 Run
Despite leaving the game prematurely, Judge still demonstrated his immense talent by hitting a run-scoring double in the third inning which put the Yankees in the lead. Even with a rather slow start this season, Judge continues to be a formidable presence in the MLB. He carved his place as a five-time All-Star and was named the American League MVP in 2022.
Although Judge’s current stats stand at a .200/.336/.392 slash, he has already hit six home runs and has yet to miss a single game this season. During his remarkable MVP season, he accomplished a historic 62 home runs. Following a promising 2023 start that was hampered by a toe injury, he’s been hinting at a considerable comeback.
The Yankees coaching staff, while acknowledging concerns over Judge’s slow start, aren’t overly worried. According to the team’s hitting coach, James Rowson, the focus is currently on “getting the timing of his swing right consistently.”
Despite his ejection and the resulting controversy, it’s clear that Aaron Judge’s impact on baseball continues to command attention, not only from the Yankees fans but from the entire sporting world.