Aaron Judge whiffs on chance to quell Yankees fans' fear of him leaving at season's end
Aaron Judge was representing the Yankees in the All-Star Game
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Aaron Judge on Tuesday didn’t exactly give New York Yankees fans any hope for his future in the Bronx during an interview hours before the start of the MLB All-Star Game.
Judge spoke with ESPN’s Marly Rivera ahead of the first pitch. Rivera told her a story about a friend she has who has a son named Jacob who was upset over the rumors the Yankees slugger may leave the team following the end of the season. Rivera gave Judge the opportunity to quell the fears.
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge takes batting practice a day before the 2022 MLB All-Star baseball game, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
"Jacob, buddy, we got a lot of great Yankees on this team. There are a lot of great Yankees that’ll be here for a long time so ya know don’t be upset," he said. "Hopefully, you’ll be a Judge fan for life."
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That wasn’t exactly the answer Yankees fans, young or old, were looking for.
Judge is on a course to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He said Monday he hoped to be in pinstripes for the remainder of his career.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Yankees Aaron Judge, left, runs in the outfield during batting practice a day before the 2022 MLB All-Star baseball game, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Judge turned down an eight-year contract worth $230.5 million to $234.5 million and was reportedly looking for a nine-year deal worth around $319.6 million. Judge set an arbitrary deadline of opening day — April 8 — and said he wouldn’t talk about the contract until after the season.
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In a feature with Tom Rinaldi for FOX Sports, Judge was asked about how he felt he was doing given that he bet on himself this season. He said he didn’t see it that way.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I try not to see it as betting on myself. I just try to see it as we tried to work something out and we didn’t. Go out there and do what we can. Nothing was going to change that for me," Judge said. "I’ve got great friends I’ve made over the years here with the Yankees and so far being the best team in baseball it’s worked out pretty good I think."
American League's Aaron Judge, of the New York Yankees, kneels on the field before the start of the MLB All-Star baseball game against the National League, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Judge tied Roger Maris’ record for most home runs by a Yankees player at the All-Star break with 33 home runs. Maris set the record in 1961, the same year he hit 61 home runs.