Aaron Judge
 

I wonder who the guy really is. Living in NY area, I know nothing about the guy other than the most superficial bs. Never heard him laugh or say a single interesting thing. Never seen him horse around. Makes Derek Jeter look chatty and interesting. The whole suffocating Bomber history and professionalism schtick basically prevents any of these guys from being actual goofball human beings playing a game, but Judge comes off like a very large robot. Seems emotionless. Cold. Seems like just an empty shell of a guy who can hit baseballs very far.

I just wonder what he is really like. Aaron Rogers might be certifiable nut job, but man he looks like he’s enjoying life and being his genuine self.

What baseball players do you know these things about?

This is what I know about Aaron Judge: he turned down more money to play elsewhere because he preferred to play for the Yankees. Part of his deal to continue playing for the Yankees included him being named Captain, which means that he both values the Yankees as a franchise and values their history, as he very much wanted to be a part of it.

That's what I want to see out of my franchise player.

Sure a lot of people feel that way. I like players with big personalities. Guys who say interesting, even maybe controversial stuff. Reggie Jackson. Curtis Granderson. Chipper Jones. Even guys like Elly De la Cruz. I think it's more fun to root for guys who aren't afraid to have a public personality. Who act like they are having fun.

Since you bring up Elly de la Cruz, Joey Votto is a weird duck, but we know a lot about him. He bought Zach Cozart a donkey. He makes weird dance videos wearing Harry Potter garb. He likes to prank fans of opposing teams. He loves studying how to hit and has a relationship with Pete Rose. He takes Spanish lessons to better communicate with players. He has said he wants to be a baseball lifer and get into coaching after he retires. He loves learning and his "In Flanders Fields" is my personal favorite Players Weekend Jersey ever. He interviewed wearing a LGBTQ pride hat and made a lot of people respect him more (in comparison to Clayton Kershaw, although I respect his decision - just poor timing). I've also heard he has a potty mouth. He is also a great face of the franchise, and wants to pass the baton. He has openly said this 2023 is the most fun he's ever had playing baseball.

I understand totally what you are saying about Aaron Judge.

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What I know is he is coming back on Friday and the Yankees are hoping he gets hot and Carries the team like he did last year.

What I know is he keeps out of trouble, usually never says the wrong thing, and just does he job.

And when healthy he performance in the field and at the plate.

Me personally I just want to enjoy the product on the field and do not need to know their dating habits, where they vacation, their politics etc.

Most of us do not really know “a lot” about most players. They do their jobs and then go home and enjoy their lives and keep out of trouble.

+1 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Not to mention that, in today's environment, if an athlete says anything remotely considered "political" half the country will hate them for it.

see exp: Clayton Kershaw advocating "Christian Day."

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I'd rather a guy be honest as to who he is and what he believes, even if I disagree or don't share his view. Be genuine, and not a wind up toy repeating the same drab athlete-speak over and over.

Most of these guys have been trained since age 15 to just be dull and never actually say anything.

Votto is a wonderful example. What a character. He seems like he enjoys every day, ever AB. Would love to meet that guy or have a beer with him.

I'm not a Reds fan but he is fun and great for the sport. Not afraid to be himself.

Judge reminds me a little of DiMaggio. Like all this is a cross he has to bear every day and not an unbelievable blessing.

I'd be very glad to have his nonpersonality in a Sox uniform. Nothing at all wrong with being a quiet, guarded young man these days.

Joey Votto interview with Mad Dog Chris Russo.
https://youtu.be/N9UvnaEm81A

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That was a great interview but to me he is a really good player and border line HOFer but not a HOFer to me

it'll be close. what is the voting window now? 5 yrs? I think he'll be a 3rd year ballot HOF'er. He has accumulated enough WAR to put him on par with lower tier HOF players. His credentials on a small market team will propel him; not to mention bottom dwellers for over half his career. His MVP, near MVP in 2017 (missed by two votes), his other top-3 MVP finish, 7 yrs leading OBP, 2000 hits, 350 HR, 1100+ runs, 1100+ RBI...it all puts him over the edge.

I still think Felix Hernandez should be in the HOF. He would have a much better stat line if he followed the money rather than resign with Seattle.

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One of the undenaible truth to any argument on potential Hall of Famers is there is a tremendous bias for players you watched regularly and against those you never did see a lot of.

No one in NYC has any freakin idea how good Scott Rolen or Larry Walker was. Because we say him like 10 ABs a year. If that. But Yankee fans will tell you how great Graig Nettles was and Mets fans are dumfounded Keithe Hernandez is not in the Hall. Who YOU rooted for and liked is always a huge bias in these debates.

I started following the Yankees about when Judge came up. He's my favorite active player. I have never seen him as cold or emotionless. He smiles, he laughs, he celebrates with the team. He's not the most extraverted or showy player on the planet - is that a failing on his part? He seems like a nice kind-of-quiet guy to me. I'm like that. It's a personality thing. Maybe sometimes I seem emotionless or cold but I'm not - it's just how I am.

There's no need to attack people who don't have big personalities.

Another thing about Judge I like is that I frequently see photos of him signing down the line for fans. He's one of the games biggest players and players of his stature aren't always so accessible.