"They were disappointed" - Staten Island coach unhappy that Aaron Judge missed meet-and-greet as Yankees captain breaks Little League players' hearts
Aaron Judge made the day of many Little Leaguers when he and his team, the New York Yankees, arrived at Lamade Stadium to cheer and attend Little League games. Amid this fun-filled event, the Yankees captain seems to have broken the heart of the Staten Island Little League team.
That led Staten Island coach Bob Laterza to utter harsh remarks for fellow New York star on his absence from the promised special meet and greet at the International Grove, where the Little Leaguers are staying. Instead of Judge, Yankees players DJ LeMahieu and Tim Hill showed up.
The Yankees played the Tigers later in the evening, where Laterza and his team were behind the batting deck circle in Bowman Field. The Little Leaguers enthusiastically chanted Aaron Judge's name, as claimed by Laterza, only to be left with no response.
“How about turning around or wave to New York and the kids that think you’re a hero?” Laterza said. “They are the ones who pay your salary.”
“They were disappointed,” he added. “Maybe he’ll want to make up for it and come and see them.”
Moreover, later that night in Bowman Field, as Laterza said, Yankees stars Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Jasson Dominguez, manager Aaron Boone and former outfielder Nick Swisher met with their team.
However, the one star the Little Leaguers wanted to see was Aaron Judge, but his absence left them disappointed.
Aaron Judge has special advice for all aspiring Little Leaguers
Ahead of Sunday's Little League Classic Game, Aaron Judge talked to reporters, delving into his time when he was once a Little League player.
He also shared special advice for all budding Little Leaguers:
“Honestly, just have fun and keep working,” Judge said via MLB.com. “Enjoy these moments, they’re going to go by quick. It feels like just yesterday I was back there playing Little League, but that’s over 20 years ago.
"Soak up every moment, hang out with your friends and keep working hard. You might be in the Little League World Series now, but you might be in the World Series in 20 years, who knows?”
For Judge & Co., they need to work hard to win the World Series this year.