Before the Yankees-White Sox series kicked off, Grady Sizemore spoke to the media, emphasizing that his team would be extra cautious when pitching to Aaron Judge. Despite the White Sox’s poor record, Sizemore was adamant they wouldn’t take any chances with Judge. It seems like he’s trying to make an impression in hopes of returning as manager next season, though it might not be entirely within his control. Judge took his walk, and the battle continues tomorrow.
However, in Wednesday night’s game, the new White Sox manager decided to intentionally walk Juan Soto, bringing up Aaron Judge with two men on in the eighth inning. That move unfolded exactly as one might have expected. The gamble didn’t pay off, and with that decision, any chance Sizemore had of securing the managerial job might have slipped away. Pitching to Judge, or at least attempting to, was risky. Unless you’re giving Judge an intentional walk, you’re playing with fire. The pitcher served up a sinker six inches off the plate, and Judge crushed it for his 300th career home run. He achieved this milestone in just 955 games, making him the fastest player in history to reach 300 homers, surpassing Ralph Kiner, who did it in 1,087 games. It’s incredible that Judge reached this mark 132 games faster.
Though Judge won’t challenge Barry Bonds’ career home run record due to his later start in the majors, these numbers will serve as a testament to his greatness. He’s in a prime that’s nearly unparalleled, standing alongside legends like Bonds. Some might compare him to Albert Pujols, but Pujols never had a season with an OPS+ of 200, while Judge is on the verge of recording his second. It’s remarkable to see such results from a player who hasn’t used performance-enhancing drugs, especially in a season where league-wide offense is down, yet Judge (and Soto) remain unaffected. With 43 homers and 110 RBIs by mid-August, Judge is having an extraordinary year. To solidify his legacy, he’ll need to deliver in October, but this three-year stretch is something truly special. Watching Judge play baseball is a privilege.
