Yankees eviscerate Little League coach after Aaron Judge criticism

Of the many things New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is known for, his character may be at the top of the list in what sets him apart from the league.

While many fans, players and coaches agree with that sentiment, Staten Island's South Shore Little League coach Bob Laterza took shots at the superstar outfielder for not meeting with his team during the Little League Classic game in Williamsport over the weekend.

Throughout the busy weekend, every Yankees player, including Judge, made time to hang out with the droves of young players competing at Lamade Stadium.

However, he wasn't among the players to attend a meet-and-greet with the Staten Island team and Laterza said Judge didn't interact with the players when they called out to him from the stands during the game.

“How about turning around or wave to New York and the kids that think you’re a hero,’’ Laterza told the SI Live . "They are the ones who pay your salary. They were disappointed. Maybe he’ll want to make up for it and come and see them.”

The Yankees responded in strong defense of their captain in a statement, according to Newsday.

“Aaron Judge is one of the great ambassadors of our sport. He is a role model worth celebrating – not simply because of his skills and accomplishments on the field – but because of the way he wholeheartedly embraces making a positive impact on those who look up to him.

“Our entire roster spent the day in Williamsport connecting with as many Little Leaguers as they possibly could prior to our game, including the team from Staten Island. We commend all of our players for devoting their complete attention to the hundreds of kids who literally walked step-by-step alongside them from the moment the Yankees landed in Williamsport through the entirety of the evening. Our players were unequivocally committed to making the experience what it was intended to be – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young baseball players and their families from around the world to have meaningful and genuine interaction with some of Major League Baseball’s greatest players.

“Neither the Yankees nor our players organized the schedule on Sunday. In fact, because Staten Island played on Sunday our players went out of their way to spend time with them in the moments immediately before our game with the Tigers."

According to the New York Pos t, "Judge and others were occupied signing autographs for Little League players throughout the afternoon after Staten Island won its game."

It didn't end there. The Yankees then took aim at Laterza, offering advice to follow Judge as a role model while still extending an invitation for the team to visit Yankee Stadium in the future.

"We wish Staten Island success in winning the championship. Win or lose, we intend to invite them to Yankee Stadium. However, it would have been much better if Staten Island’s Coach called us to understand the facts before bitterly reacting in such a public fashion. Reaching out to us would have been the prudent way to act and would have set a fine example for his young players. Aaron Judge always acts with kindness and respect. The coach could learn a lot from him.”

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