Looking Back at 2021: Aaron Judge

Yankee fans finally got the season they'd been waiting for from Aaron Judge. Wire to wire productivity -- and health! After missing more than 140 games the previous three seasons, Judge answered the bell 148 times in 2021 -- with 39 homers (including one on this August swing against the Twins) and 98 RBIs. Plus, he cut way down on his strikeouts (158, compared to 208 in his amazing 2017 rookie year).

Turning 30 in April with one season before free agency, will he be the next Yankee to land a massive contract? Did this second huge and healthy season convince Hal Steinbrenner that Judge is a cornerstone player on a club that still has holes in its lineup and pitching staff? Does the sight of fans in #99 tee shirts and replica uniforms underscore his value?

Once MLB works out a new CBA, the Yankees negotiations with Judge might be baseball's most intriguing off-field story.
 

Comments

tullist said…
I suspect no more than 5 per cent of Yankee fans perceive Aaron as anything less than the cornerstone of this era of Yankees. Plus, evident right from his start is that this guy is a Yankee in the ancient tradition. I suspect he is a Yankee lifer, I certainly hope so. And lets not forget it isn't all at the plate with him, he is an excellent outfielder.
December 23, 2021 at 1:21 AM
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