NEW YORK — The atmosphere at Yankee Stadium was electric as the crowd erupted into chants for Aaron Judge the moment he stepped into the batter’s box during the first inning. With 49,368 fans pleading for No. 99 to channel his successful season, they hoped this would be the night he would shine again.
“M-V-P!”
“M-V-P!”
“M-V-P!”
This marked the first World Series game in the Bronx in over 15 years, but the initial excitement quickly faded as the Yankees fell into an early two-run deficit. Judge had the potential to change the game with one powerful swing, seeking to lift both his spirits and those of his fans, especially as his postseason batting average had dipped below the Mendoza Line for the first time.
Coming into the game, Judge had a dismal .199 batting average in the playoffs, a statistic that reflected more than just a small sample size. The standout hitter of the American League had struggled throughout October, and the fans hoped the familiar confines of Yankee Stadium would reignite his performance. However, his first at-bat ended in disappointment as he struck out on a cutter far outside the strike zone, a precursor to four uninspired at-bats that contributed to the Yankees’ 4-2 loss. The team now stands on the brink of a four-game sweep against the Dodgers in what was expected to be a thrilling matchup between prestigious franchises, with Judge’s performance highlighted as a key factor in their struggles.
“He’s Aaron Judge,” said manager Aaron Boone when asked why he believed Judge would emerge from this slump. Yet Judge’s postseason numbers have been alarming, batting .140 (6-for-44) with two home runs, a double, and six RBIs across 12 games. With 20 strikeouts, he has yet to find success in crucial moments, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
It is a stark contrast to the player who dominated the regular season, leading the American League in home runs, RBIs, walks, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. While Judge is poised to win his second MVP award, many fans may instead remember his underwhelming postseason performance.
In the clubhouse late at night, when asked if he felt he was letting his team down, Judge took a moment before responding.
“Well, yeah, definitely,” he admitted. “You want to be getting the hits. You want to be out there doing your job. I’m not doing my job right now. I’ve got to pick it up.”
While Judge’s struggles are significant, they are not the sole reason for the Yankees’ troubles. Starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt allowed a crucial home run to the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, who has been exceptional throughout the series. Giancarlo Stanton, the one Yankee consistently performing at the plate, awkwardly attempted to score from second base on a single and was easily thrown out.
Boone faced criticism for remaining mostly unchanged in his lineup after pondering adjustments on the flight back from Los Angeles. If the Dodgers claim victory in Game 4, it would mark just the sixth time in over a century that the Yankees have been swept in a seven-game series, with Boone already having endured two such sweeps in three years.
Yet, as the team’s marquee player, Judge’s playoff performance will impact his legacy within the franchise. He committed to the Yankees, recognizing the significance of winning a championship, especially after signing a nine-year, $360 million contract in 2022.
One can’t help but speculate whether the pressure is beginning to weigh on Judge after he has typically excelled under the spotlight. Coach Boone remains optimistic, asserting, “He’s going to break out at some point. Hopefully, it’s today. And moving forward in his career, he’s going to have great series. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
However, shadows of doubt seem to linger in Judge’s mind as he grapples with this challenging postseason. A crowd that once rallied to support him may not offer the same encouragement in future appearances.