"A huge mistake" - When former Yankee Mark Teixeira criticized Aaron Judge for playing iconic New York song vs Red Sox
There's no denying the superstar that Aaron Judge has become for the New York Yankees. The hulking outfielder has slugged his way into the hearts of Yankees fans across the globe, thanks to his tape-measure home runs and world-class leadership for the club.
"Aaron Judge has been the best hitter in baseball since 2022: 194 wRC+ (1st) | 114 HR (1st) | 1.067 OPS (1st)" - @FiresideYankees
The first-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2013, Aaron Judge has surpassed any expectations placed on him as he entered the MLB. A five-time All-Star and American League MVP, it's no surprise that Judge has become arguably the biggest athlete in New York City.
Although he has accomplished a lot on and off the field, the hard-hitting outfielder has had to learn how to perform like a superstar, while also becoming a leader for the MLB's most famous team. As a young player, Judge was not free of criticism from fans and former New York Yankees players.
One such moment came during the 2018 ALDS against the Boston Red Sox. The New York Yankees defeated their iconic rival at Fenway Park in Boston, which led to Judge playing "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra. That's something former Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira called "a huge mistake."
"Did Aaron Judge jinx the Yankees by playing 'New York, New York' in Boston? | Get Up!" - ESPN
"When you haven't won anything, you want to stay humble," Mark Teixeira said on a 2018 episode of Get Up! The three-time All-Star explained that Judge's trolling of the Boston Red Sox "woke a sleeping giant."
The Red Sox would go on to win the next two games, eventually going on to win the World Series.
Aaron Judge's leadership has the New York Yankees in a position to contend for 2024 World Series title
The New York Yankees captain has continued to mature as a superstar on and off the field.
Thanks to this improvement in his personality and character, he has overcome a slow start to the 2024 campaign. Judge struggled out of the gate this season, but he said that he had to keep putting his teammates in the best position to succeed.
Now, New York Yankees fans and critics have forgotten all about Judge's slow start to the year, as he has performed like one of the best players in the MLB yet again. Heading to Wednesday's action, the Yankees sit atop the AL East and Judge is one of the favorites to win the AL MVP.