Best Right-Handed Hitter Ever?

-

Aaron Judge was intentionally walked 3 times yesterday. He was also walked on 5 pitches in another plate appearance.

He ripped a single in his other plate appearance.

He has 41 homers and more than 100 RBI - on August 4th, and a couple of years ago he legitimately broke the single season home run record breaking Roger Maris’ record set more than 60 years ago.

A couple of weeks ago he hit two balls completely out of Fenway - one was to dead center. I’ve been watching baseball for a long time - never saw a ball clear everything in center at Fenway.

“He’s the best baseball player I’ve ever seen,” my son Jake texted me last week.

And I was in the first row in Kansas City when Judge first arrived in the majors.

He was literally 20’ away in the on-deck circle and I recall texting my buddy, Pops, saying:

“He’s never going to make it. He’s too freaking big.”

So, I missed on that call.

What I like most about Judge is that he learned from Jeter and Mattingly and he does it all the right way.

He interviews well. He has the back of his teammates.

In fact, my favorite Judge moment ever is one from a couple of years ago.

A young guy was called up from the minors. He made a key error late in the game that allowed the tying run to score.

The Fox broadcast crew placed a camera inside the dugout to try and capture the anguish on the face of the kid.

Judge stood up and blocked the camera. He stayed there until the end of the inning, shielding the kid from being embarrassed on national television.

“He’s a hall of fame talent,” I reminded Jake.

“He needs a ring,” Jake answered.

I couldn’t agree more.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more