Why Aaron Judge Is Not A Yankee Legend Without A Ring

Aaron Judge has established himself as a bona fide superstar in the MLB, currently having his third career season with over 50 home runs, recently achieving his 1,000th career hit, and leading the league in several offensive stats. He is a strong contender for his second American League MVP award this year, prompting discussions about his potential of being considered legendary within one of the most storied franchises in sports history.

Aaron Judge Is Missing That One Piece

The New York Yankees have a rich history of legendary players. Icons such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, and Derek Jeter have established their careers in New York and made significant contributions to the championship legacy of the Yankees.

While some fans are in favor of Judge's inclusion among these Yankee greats, a significant portion of Yankee fans remain skeptical. While Judge has taken his place in the annals of Yankee history after being named captain during the 2022 offseason, he's still missing a championship.

A Sign Of Things To Come

Judge made an immediate impact for the Yankees by hitting a home run in his first at-bat in 2016, setting the stage for a remarkable career. In 2017, he was named Rookie of the Year, finishing his first full season with 52 home runs and a slash line of .284/.422/.627, along with an OPS of 1.049. His breakout rookie season made heads turn and captured the attention of the rest of the league.

Judge came close to clinching a World Series appearance in 2017. The Yankees reached game seven of the American League Championship Series but fell short against the eventual champions, the Houston Astros.

From 2018 through 2021 , Judge had respectable averages, hitting an average of 25.5 home runs per season, but the Yankees struggled to advance through the postseason during those years.

History Made

In 2022, Judge manufactured a historic season, earning his first MVP award by hitting 62 home runs, which set a new American League record previously held by fellow Yankee legend Roger Maris. Judge's impressive statistics included a slash line of .311/.425/.686 and a whopping 131 RBIs.

Despite Judge's tremendous 2022 regular season, the Yankees were swept by the Astros in the postseason, once again falling short of a World Series appearance.

A Bump In The Road

The 2023 season proved to be one of the worst in Yankees history, with an 82-80 record that eliminated them from a postseason run. With a roster that did not fit, injuries that plagued the team, and missing the reigning MVP during the summer, the Yankees had all the signs of a season implosion. Judge had been performing strongly throughout the beginning of the 2023 season until June with 18 home runs.

Judge’s career literally hit a wall in early June. He suffered a toe injury when he crashed into the Dodger Stadium bullpen cage trying to make a catch. Judge returned in late July and he finished the season with 37 home runs but could not carry the Yankees into postseason contention.

Judge Looks To Redeem Himself In 2024

The potential 2024 postseason run looks promising with the addition of Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm Jr, and Judge is currently having another historical regular season. He has hit 51 home runs so far and is on track to surpass the record he set in 2022.

Judge was recently named the American League Player of the Week for the third time this season, showcasing a remarkable performance with an OBP of .519 and a slugging percentage of 1.429. With seven home runs and 11 RBIs in the last six games, it's easy to suggest that another historic season for Judge is on the horizon.

An Under The Radar Postseason Choker?

Despite his impressive regular season statistics, Judge has not fared too well in the postseason. Over six playoff appearances, he has recorded a .211/.310/.462 average with an OPS of .772. A decent postseason stat line and a higher-than-average OPS, but Judge always falls short against the formidable pitching of the Houston Astros. His struggles were particularly evident during the 2022 ALCS, where he managed only one hit in 16 at-bats which equates to a batting average of .063.

While the postseason emphasis is more based on team performances rather than individual players, it’s those individual players that can help skyrocket a team and bring championship success. The Yankees have a storied tradition of players who have risen to the occasion in the World Series. Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter earned the monikers "Mr. October" and "Mr. November" respectively for their clutch performances.

The Ghost Of Mattingly

While Judge has had notable moments in the postseason, he has yet to achieve these moments in the World Series and define himself as a Yankee legend. Many fans agree that while Judge is an exceptional player, his legacy within the New York franchise will be solidified only if he can lead the team to a championship.

Judge's current career can be compared to that of Don Mattingly. Despite Mattingly's remarkable regular season accolades and also becoming the captain of the New York Yankees during his tenure, he lacks a World Series appearance, let. This missing achievement has left fans believing he isn't a Yankee legend due to his failure to bring a championship to New York. There are concerns that Judge's career may mirror Mattingly's if he can't add to the Yankees championship legacy.

Could A 2024 World Series Ring Silence The Critics?

Looking forward to the upcoming postseason, Judge will need to step up as a key contributor for the Yankees and fulfill their 15-year drought of winning a World Series championship. While accumulating home runs is important, improving his postseason batting average would be essential. Judge wouldn't need to rack up endless home runs in the postseason but having a higher batting average than .063 in the ALCS would be ideal. If Judge can continue the momentum of the regular season and be a valuable piece in the postseason, he has the opportunity to cement his legacy as a true Yankee legend.