61 And Holding...

 

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Getty Images

Aaron Judge ties Roger Maris for 61 home runs…

It took eight days, but the apparent 2022 American League MVP, Aaron Judge, hit his sixty-first home run on Wednesday, September 28^th at Rogers Centre in Toronto off pitcher Tim Mayza. Roger Maris took much criticism when he set the American League single season home run record because he could not do it within 154 games like Babe Ruth did when he hit 60 in 1927. Judge hit his sixtieth within 154 games, but the sixty-first did not arrive until Game 155. It certainly does not diminish Judge’s performance this season. He has been tremendous, at a historic level.

Here is a listing of Judge’s 2022 home runs:

Roger Maris hit his record sixty-first home run on October 1, 1961. Assuming the Yankees play today (weather-permitting), and Judge is in the lineup, it feels like destiny for him to break the Maris record exactly sixty-one years later.

Roger Maris / Photo Credit: AP

I have never condoned steroid use, and the home run records by Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa will forever be tainted, but for as long as MLB recognizes their stats, I agree that Bonds is the single season home run champion with seventy-three home runs. But regardless of what the PED-inspired stats were, sixty-one home runs is the American League and Yankees’ franchise record. As such, we should take pride in Judge’s accomplishments. The additional bonus is he did it cleanly. Even greater if he brings home the Triple Crown as he continues to flirt at the top in league batting average.

I am enormously proud of Aaron Judge, and I am glad he is a Yankee. I am saddened that he will be free for any team to sign later this Fall, but for now, he is ours. I cannot fathom Judge leaving the Yankees and I hope he does not. This may be one of the biggest decisions ever made by Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner. It has been tough to see certain Yankees leave for other teams over the years, but I am unable to think of any that would be as devastating as Judge’s departure. In terms of legacy, there is no question Judge stands to gain the most by staying in Pinstripes. Retiring as a Yankee will forever brand him among the legends of the game and he will always stand among the Yankee greats. His day for immortalization in Monument Park after the end of his career would be assured. Judge means so much to the Yankees organization, and his contributions and value to the franchise and the city of New York far exceed his play on the field. It is simple, Hal, pay the man.

Unwelcome news on the relief front. Zack Britton may have pitched his last game for the Yankees. In making his third appearance of the season after returning to the team on September 24^th following his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Britton left the game after his bases-loaded wild pitch allowed the Baltimore Orioles to take a 2-1 lead over the Yankees last night (which proved to be the final score). Britton had failed to cover home plate on the wild pitch, and it was clear he was in pain. After the game, left arm fatigue was cited as the cause. Regardless, even if Britton can make it back for the few remaining days in the regular season, there is virtually no chance he will be on the post-season roster. He no longer has the time to prove he deserves a spot.

Zack Britton / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, AP

If last night was Britton’s final game as a Yankee (he is a free agent after the season), it is sad that his final performances were less than stellar. I have enjoyed Britton’s time as a Yankee. I was excited when the Yankees acquired him on July 24, 2018, for Cody Carroll, Josh Rogers, and Dillon Tate, and I was happy when they re-signed him in January 2019. He has had his share of injuries, but when healthy, he has been a tremendous force in the bullpen. If this is the end, I wish him the best. I enjoyed our time together. Once a hated Oriole, he has proved he is a Yankee and will always be.

Word spread last evening that closer(?) Clay Holmes will not pitch again in the regular season. He is dealing with rotator cuff tendonitis, and received a cortisone shot on Thursday. Holmes remains optimistic that he will be ready for the AL Division Series which begins on October 11, 2022. This is disturbing news, and there is uncertainty what we will see if Holmes is able to recover in time. Can he be the dominant early season reliever with some rest, or will he continue to struggle? We simply do not know. This places more pressure on Scott Effross, Ron Marinaccio, and even Aroldis Chapman to step up for the back end of games. Chapman has looked better of late, but I cannot say he has my trust. Lou Trivino may be the best option, but like the Los Angeles Dodgers (who flushed Craig Kimbrel as their “designated closer”), I suspect the Yankees will continue to employ a closer-by-committee. I am worried about the state of the pen heading into October. I miss Michael King now more than ever before.

Giancarlo Stanton, wherefore art thou? Stanton looked pathetic at the plate last night. No hits in four plate appearances including two strikeouts. Excluding his injury-shortened 2019 and 2020 seasons, this has easily been Stanton’s worst season in the Major Leagues. His fWAR of 0.7 is the lowest of any season he has played at least one hundred games. While he has twenty-eight home runs and seventy-five RBIs, his batting line is an abysmal .206/.289/.440, with .315 wOBA, and 106 wRC+. For the month of September, his batting average was .143 (four home runs and eleven RBIs).

Giancarlo Stanton / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post

He has become an average player paid at superstar level. I have seen many on Social Media question whether Stanton should be on the post-season roster. Of course, he should, there is always a chance he rediscovers his stroke. When he does, he can carry the team on his back. There are few people who can do that. Stanton is one of the keys to October success, so it is discouraging he has continued to underperform in recent weeks. I hope he can find the magic soon. When he is right, nobody can crush baseballs like he can.

So long, Héctor López. The 1961 World Champion Yankees lost another member when Héctor López passed away in Florida on Thursday due to complications from lung cancer. The Panamanian-born López was 93.

Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, & Hector Lopez / Photo Credit: Bettman/Getty Images

He played for the Yankees from 1959 to 1966, after starting his career in 1955 with the Kansas City Athletics. López, a utility man, was better known for his hitting than his fielding. He made seventeen errors in his first year with the Yankees (in seventy-six games at third base and three in the outfield). His combined RBI total in 1959 with the Royals and Yankees was 93. It led Yankees manager Casey Stengel to say, “If I bench him, I bench 93 runs, but I would like better fieldin’ outta my 93 runs.” 

In the 1961 World Series clinching game, his homer and triple, driving in five runs, helped power the Yankees to the 13-5 champagne-soaked victory over the Cincinnati Reds. For his career, he hit 136 home runs, drove in 136 runs, and batted .269. After his playing days were over, he became the first Black manager in Triple A history. He was a regular at Old Timer’s Day. It is always sad to see the loss of great Yankees. Rest in peace, Héctor.

Hector Lopez / Photo Credit: Bob Croslin

As always, Go Yankees!

The Judge Watch Continues...

 

Aaron Judge, MVP

Aaron Judge taking one pitch at a time...

Patiently waiting for Number 61. The Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox for the second night in a row, another one-run decision, 5-4, but sadly, no homers from the Big Guy. I love how Aaron Judge no longer swings at those pitches out of the strike zone, but man, I wish he would connect with one of the few strikes he is thrown to escort it to the outfield bleachers. 

I think Albert Pujols did it right. He immediately followed his 699^th home run last evening with the 700^th of his illustrious career. His two home runs helped the St Louis Cardinals to take down MLB’s winningest 2022 team, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Albert’s former teammates. No waiting or letting the outside noise get into his head. I am not saying that Judge is letting the noise get to him, but it would be difficult for the normal human being when thousands upon thousands of people in the stands singularly want one thing, and nearly every question from the overwhelming New York media probes the topic. Judge is not a normal human being, and the home run will come, but until then, we wait. 

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, AP

Since Friday’s game was televised by Apple + and not the YES Network, I think it may have been justice the record tying home run did not occur on their watch. If the Yankees had lost, I may have felt differently but fortunately, Jose Trevino’s run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth helped the Yankees overcome the home runs allowed by Gerrit Cole to win the game. 

This afternoon’s game will be on YES, so Michael Kay will have the opportunity to make the call for Judge’s historic home run if it happens today. Kudos to Kay who apparently had the opportunity to call the Friday night for Apple+ by special arrangement, but he shut down the negotiations because he did not feel it was right for the broadcasters scheduled to call the game. Not trying to be a Michael Kay defender, but I saw so many social media posts this week blasting Kay for “crying” about not getting the Friday night game, yet listening to Kay this week, he never sulked. While he said that he would like to call the home run, he was against denying others the opportunity if YES was not televising the game. Kay handled himself professionally through the week, and hopefully, he will be rewarded today. Sunday night’s game, the series finale with the Red Sox, will be on ESPN so Kay would be limited to a discussion of the game on his KayRod Cast.   

Michael Kay

Aaron Judge, we love you and hope today is your day. Whether it comes today or not, we are thankful, we are grateful you are a New York Yankee. Please never let it end.

The Miguel Andújar Story concludes. Well, at least with the New York Yankees. In a bit of a surprise this week, the Yankees designated Andújar for assignment to make way for reliever Zack Britton. There was some chatter last night that the Yankees are talking with the Kansas City Royals about a potential trade. If it happens, the return will not be much. No trades can be made involving 40-man roster talent, but Andújar was never going to bring that level of return. It will most likely be an obscure Single A player with some potential. With no trade, he will be released.

Miguel Andujar / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, AP

Regardless, Andújar’s time with the Yankees was over. If he was not DFA’d this week, it would have happened after season’s end. 2018 was a fun year. His forty-seven doubles and twenty-seven home runs would have secured AL Rookie of the Year if not for the supremely talented Shohei Ohtani. He persevered through injury, and was forced to learn the outfield, but always seemingly had a smile on his face. I know frustration led to his trade demand earlier in the season, but he was a good company man for the majority of his time in the Yankees organization. I knew it was time for the parties to separate. I wish Andújar the best. I hope he can reach the potential he once held with his next organization. Thanks, Miggy, and best wishes for a successful continued career in Major League Baseball.

As one who was not immediately in favor of the Harrison Bader trade, I am glad he is a Yankee. The price was high, and the wait was long, but Harrison Bader is the guy you never knew you needed until he was on your team. His energy level alone elevates the Yankees clubhouse. In four games, he has four hits in thirteen at-bats, good for six runs batted in. A stolen base. An extra base hit. But none of these stats tell how invaluable he has been in games. We knew he was a premier defender, yet I think many have been surprised at the strength of his arm.

Harrison Bader / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, New York Post

He has an infectious, winning attitude, and it has not taken long to realize that GM Brian Cashman may have known what he was doing on August 2^nd when he dealt Jordan Montgomery to St Louis. I know you can never have too much pitching, but Bader shows you can never have too much quality in center field. Aaron Hicks was instrumental in last night’s victory, but I am excited that the future of Yankees center field resides with Bader. The Yankees should try to move Hicks in the off-season and get out from under as much money remaining on Hicks’ contract as they can. I really hope the Yankees can sign Andrew Benintendi to a new contract so that Hicks will be expendable. Oswaldo Cabrera has earned the right to be the super-sub and has played tremendously in the outfield for a guy who never played there. If he is not tossed out this winter, Estevan Florial can be the fourth outfielder. If not him, there are plenty of guys around the league that would fit the bill. Like Andújar, Hicks’ time with the Yankees has reached its end. It seems a virtual certainty that he will be moved after the season. 

Regardless of what happens this season, Harrison Bader will open as the starting centerfielder for the New York Yankees in 2023. I would say the position is in good hands…and feet. The Yankees need to get the local kid from Bronxville a ring.

Sadly, no DJ LeMahieu anytime soon. It was reported that LeMahieu is a little better with the issue on his right foot between the big and second toes but is not ready for game action. With season’s end rapidly approaching, there will be no time for LeMahieu to ramp up activities. It will be all or nothing when he returns, and it does not sound like he would be effective if he tried to play today. I hope foot heals more quicky in the next couple of weeks than it has the last few weeks. The Yankees need an effective LeMahieu in the lineup for an extended run in October. 

While he does not think it will require surgery, LeMahieu believes it truly will not be healed until he can have offseason rest. So, the question is whether the pain can be reduced to the point it does not impact the quality of an at-bat. Wishing happy healing thoughts for LeMahieu, Matt Carpenter, and Andrew Benintendi.

Lastly, I am tired of Gerrit Cole’s home runs. That’s it. I have nothing else to add to that thought. I wish Cole would get out of his own head, and pitch to the talent that resides in his arm. Just when you think he is pitching great, he serves a gopher ball to wipe out the good. I hope this is not a prelude to October.    

Happy 61^st Home Run Day…I hope!

Roger Maris

As always, Go Yankees!