9781422269817

BALLPARK GREATS PRO BASEBALL’S BEST PLAYERS

AARON JUDGE

BALLPARK GREATS PRO BASEBALL’S BEST PLAYERS

Aaron Judge Bryce Harper Shohei Ohtani

Christian Yelich Justin Verlander Max Scherzer Mike Trout Nolan Arenado

BALLPARK GREATS PRO BASEBALL’S BEST PLAYERS

AARON JUDGE

JEREMY PIKE

MASON CREST MIAMI

Mason Crest PO Box 221876 Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2024 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4837-9 ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4836-2 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-6981-7

Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress

Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Production: Crafted Content, LLC (www.craftedcontentllc.com)

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments . . . . . . 7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top . . . 21 Chapter 3: On the Diamond . . . . . . 35 Chapter 4: Words Count . . . . . . . . 49 Chapter 5: Off the Diamond . . . . . . 61

Series Glossary of Key Terms . . . 72 Further Reading & Internet Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Author Biography & Credits . . . . 79

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text, while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

affiliates: close associate of another person or entity, typically in a dependent or subordinate position

foreshadowing: indicating beforehand

pinstripes: very narrow stripes used as a design element on fabric, especially for clothing such as suits and uniforms

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Chapter 1

Greatest Moments Ever since Aaron Judge first stepped on a Major League Baseball (MLB) diamond in 2016, he has left an undeniable impact on the game of baseball and the MLB record books. Whether it was his first home run (HR), his incredible record-breaking rookie season, or his pursuit of the New York Yankees’ and American League (AL) single-season home run records, Judge has smashed his way into history. Judge grew up in Linden, California, the adopted son of Patty and Wayne Judge. He was a three-sport star in high school before continuing his pursuit of baseball. His six-foot-seven-inch frame looked more at home on the football field or basketball court, but he could hit a baseball harder and farther than most, so he went to Fresno State to play baseball. The Yankees drafted Judge in the first round of the 2013 draft, and after he spent time playing minor league ball with the Yankees’ affiliates , he made his Major League debut in August 2016. That debut offered some foreshadowing for his career to come, as he hit home runs in both of his first two games before a relatively quiet finish to the season.

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Then in 2017, Judge’s official rookie year, he began writing his name into the record books. He set the then-record for home runs in a rookie season that catapulted him toward numerous milestones. Since then, Judge has been a four-time American League All-Star selection. However, the Yankees didn’t just get a slugging machine at the plate. Judge has also proven to be a reliable defensive presence in the field, winning both the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award as a right fielder and the Fielding Bible Award for right fielders in 2021. As 2022 opened, Judge was entering the final year of his contract, and there was concern that he would walk away from the franchise as a free agent. However, in early December, Judge signed the biggest contract ever given to a free agent in MLB history after agreeing to a $360 million deal over nine years with the Yankees. This ensured that the face of the franchise and possibly the entire league would stay with the team where he began his career.

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Aaron Judge

Greatest Career Moments

Here is a look at some of the most important and iconic moments of Judge’s career so far, including one historic record-breaking year at the plate

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

62 Home Runs in a Single Season In 2022, Judge had a season like no other in the history of the American League and the Yankees. In a franchise-long list of decorated sluggers, two names stood above the rest for prowess in a single season. Roger Maris crushed 61 home runs in 1961, eclipsing the 60 that Babe Ruth hit back in 1927. However, Maris accomplished the feat during a 162-game season, while Ruth did it in 154 games. However, on October 4, 2022, Judge established himself as both the New York Yankees’ and the American League record holder for home runs in a single season when he launched his 62 nd home run. Judge was the leadoff hitter in Game 161 for the Yankees. With a 1-1 count, Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco’s slider stayed over the middle of the plate,

and Judge hammered it. The ball landed in the left field seats—391 feet away from home plate— and Judge stood above everyone in American League and Yankees’ history.

Aaron Judge sets the AL and Yankees’ record with his 62 nd home run of the 2022 season.

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Aaron Judge

American League MVP Typically, setting a massive record will result in some major hardware for a player. Judge’s 2022 season was no different. While setting the AL record for single-season home runs is worthy of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, that wasn’t the only statistic that put him above his challengers, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez. Judge also led MLB in runs scored, RBI, and on-base percentage while leading the AL in walks and finishing just behind the Minnesota Twins’ Luis Arráez in batting average. In the field, Judge continued to prove that he is an above-average defensive presence, ranking in the 77 th percentile for outfielders in outs above average. He also showcases his arm strength, averaging more than 90 miles per hour (mph) on throws from the outfield. Judge’s MVP award makes him only the second Yankee in franchise history to have won Rookie of the Year and

MVP honors after Thurman Munson accomplished the feat in the 1970s.

Judge shares his thoughts on winning the AL MVP award.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

First Career Home Run Long before Judge set the American League and Yankees’ records for most home runs in a single season, he made his debut in pinstripes on August 13, 2016. He did not take long to make a great play, catching a fly ball at the right field wall to end the top half of the first inning. Judge was not the only Yankee making his debut that day, either. In the bottom of the second inning, Tyler Austin got his first career at-bat right before Judge and muscled a 2-2 pitch just over the wall in right field to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Then came Judge in his first plate appearance. While Austin took five pitches to get his first

career home run, Judge only took four. On a 1-2 pitch, Judge launched a shot to just right of dead center field, with the ball landing in the netting over Monument Park. That’s not a bad start to a career.

Judge hit his first career home run in exciting back-to-back fashion with Tyler Austin.

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Aaron Judge

Sets the MLB Record for Home Runs as a Rookie In 2017, Judge started the season on the Opening Day roster for the Yankees. By the end of the season, Judge had already put his name in the record books. His 52 home runs as a rookie broke the record of 49 set by Mark McGwire in 1987 when he was a rookie with the Oakland Athletics. Judge victimized his fellow AL East members from Baltimore repeatedly that season, hitting a whopping 11 of his 52 home runs against the Orioles. That dominance against the Orioles was never more evident than the home runs he hit in back-to-back games in June. On June 10 th , Judge crushed the hardest-hit home run of the season. The ball left the playing field with an exit velocity of

121.1 mph. The next game, Judge launched a baseball 495 feet that cleared the left-center field bleachers in Yankee Stadium. The mark stood until 2019, when Pete Alonso of the New York Mets hit 53 home runs as a rookie.

Judge launches a long home run against the Baltimore Orioles during his record-setting rookie season.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

AL Rookie of the Year Just as winning the MVP in 2022 after setting the league record for home runs seemed logical, Judge winning the AL Rookie of the Year award after setting the then-record for most home runs as a rookie made a ton of sense. However, looking at Judge’s home runs as the only reason for winning the award would be doing him a disservice as a baseball player. Not only did Judge win the Rookie of the Year award, but he also finished as runner-up in the MVP race to the Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve. Judge had 128 runs scored, hit 24 doubles, three triples, and his first career grand slam. He also added 114 RBI and showed good plate discipline with 127 walks. Judge’s home runs, runs scored, and walks led the AL, while his on-base percentage of .422 and slugging percentage of .627 were both second most in the league. Judge was the

unanimous winner of the award and became the first Yankee to win the Rookie of the Year since Derek Jeter in 1996.

Watch MLB’s Top 10 plays of Aaron Judge’s rookie season.

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Aaron Judge

Most Career Home Runs in Postseason Winner-Take-All Games Some of the most memorable games in MLB history come in a winner-take all situation. There are few situations more pressure-packed than a win-or-go home game. In Judge’s six full seasons with the Yankees, he stands alone with four home runs in those types of games, more than any other hitter to play in the majors. Judge stepped up to the plate against Cleveland Guardians pitcher Sam Hentges in the second inning of Game 5 in the 2022 AL Division Series. The Yankees were already leading 3-0 and were looking to put the clamps on the Guardians. Facing a 1-0 count, Judge launched Hentges’ second pitch into the right field stands to set the record. Judge snapped a tie

with five other players, four of them Yankees, including his teammate Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton hit a three-run homer in the first inning of that Game 5 for his third home run in do-or die postseason games. Didi Gregorious, Bill Skowron, and Yogi Berra accomplished the feat for the Yankees decades ago.

Judge hits his fourth career postseason home run in winner take-all games.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

Second-Fastest Player to Reach 200 Home Runs When Aaron Judge hit his 200 th career home run versus the Kansas City Royals in 2022, it may have taken a bit of a back page to Judge’s race for the American League home run title. It was number 42 on the season and came in the second inning of an 8-2 win. Judge hit his 200 th career home run in the 671 st game of his MLB career. Only Ryan Howard did it faster, taking 13 fewer games (658) than Judge. Judge also became only the fourth player drafted by the Yankees to hit at least 200 home runs in pinstripes , joining Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, and Don Mattingly in the feat.

While it may have been a footnote during the 2022 season due to the quest to break the home run record, being the second-fastest player to the 200 mark solidifies Judge as one of the best home run hitters in the game today.

Judge becomes the second-fastest hitter to reach 200 career home runs.

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Aaron Judge