Aaron Boone Praises Aaron Judge as 'The Real Deal' After HR Helps Yankees Force Game 4
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone heaped praise on superstar slugger and team captain Aaron Judge on Tuesday night after his clutch home run helped keep the Yanks alive in the American League Division Series.
Speaking to reporters after New York's 9-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the ALDS, Boone explained the dynamic between Judge and his teammates:
"He's the real deal," Boone said. "As beloved a player as I've ever been around by his teammates. They all admire him, look up to him, respect him, want his approval. And that's just a credit to who Aaron is and how he goes about things."
The Yankees lost the first two games of the ALDS in one-sided fashion, falling 10-1 and 13-7, and it looked like they were headed for another blowout loss and a three-game sweep.
New York fell behind 6-1 by the third inning, and the momentum was completely in Toronto's favor, but Judge turned the tide in the fourth by mashing a nearly 100 mph inside fastball from Louis Varland off the left field foul pole to tie the score at 6-6.
Jazz Chisholm hit a go-ahead solo homer the following inning, and the Yankees never looked back en route to a come-from-behind, 9-6 victory.
Much has been made of Judge's perceived lack of clutch hitting in the playoffs, but MLB researcher Sarah Langs noted that Judge tied Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz for the most career postseason home runs in games facing elimination with six.
As a whole, Judge has looked like his multi-time MVP self in these playoffs, slashing .500/.577/.727 with one homer, six RBI and five runs scored.
He seems to be putting the playoff choker narrative to bed while also putting the Yankees on his back, but the job is far from over.
On Wednesday, the Yankees and Jays will clash in Game 4 in the Bronx, and if the Yanks are victorious, the series will head back to Toronto for a decisive Game 5.
The Yankees went from the brink of elimination to the team with momentum on their side entering Game 4, and they largely have Judge to thank for that.
