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In a world where athletes are often treated like machines, churning out performances day in and day out, the idea of taking a break seems almost revolutionary. Enter Aaron Judge, the powerhouse slugger of the New York Yankees, who decided to rest on Game 67 of the season.
But why? Is he human or just another cog in the relentless machine of sports? With the season heating up, the decision to give the best hitter in baseball a breather raises eyebrows, and frankly, it deserves a second look.
When is a good day off?
Just days before, Yankees manager Aaron Boone had marked Thursday as an optimal day for Judge to take a seat. But let’s be real: when do you actually want to let a guy like Judge sit out? The man’s a beast, hitting homers like it’s a casual stroll in the park.
Boone’s dilemma was real; you can’t just throw your best player onto the bench without a solid reason. But then Judge, ever the competitor, threw in a challenge, saying if he homered in the first two games against the Royals, Boone would have to rethink that decision.
Of course, he went deep not once, but twice, making it a tough call for Boone. “He kind of looked at me, like, ‘Hey…’” Boone admitted, clearly torn between logic and loyalty to his star player. Yet, staying disciplined resonated stronger than the temptation to keep Judge in the lineup.
The implications of resting a superstar
Let’s break this down. Judge had already played 66 games straight before his much-debated day off. Sure, he’s a physical marvel at 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds, but even titans need their rest.
The Yankees are deep into a grueling stretch of 16 days packed with games, including travel woes to Boston for a day game after a night game. So, Boone’s decision, while it may have felt like a betrayal to fans wanting to see Judge hit home runs, was actually a calculated move. “I never want him out of the lineup,” Boone said, “but keeping him fresh could pay dividends in the long run.”
Historic performance
We can’t overlook how insane Judge’s performance has been leading up to this point. Batting .394 with a 1.269 OPS, 25 home runs, and 59 RBIs in just 66 games? That’s not just impressive; that’s monstrous. Judge has reached base safely in 62 of those games, and if you think that’s just luck, think again. He’s the only player in modern history to maintain such a high batting average while racking up home runs at that pace. It’s like watching a superhero in cleats, and then suddenly, the superhero takes a day off. It feels unnatural, doesn’t it?
What’s next for Judge?
Looking ahead, the question looms: can Judge maintain this level of performance? He’s been on the verge of claiming the Triple Crown in his MVP seasons, only to fall short. But this season? As of now, he leads the American League in batting average and RBIs, trailing only slightly in home runs. If that’s not enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, consider that he’s not just an offensive juggernaut; his defensive prowess in right field adds to his value. With a 5.9 fWAR, he’s in a league of his own, outpacing everyone else in the majors.
Is this just the beginning?
Boone’s comments hit home—“I feel like he’s just playing well.” Sure, it’s amazing, but what happens when he truly catches fire? That’s when it gets downright scary for opposing teams. Judge has proven time and again that he’s capable of so much more than what we’ve seen. So, what’s next? A rest day might just be the spark he needs to explode into something even more spectacular. Or perhaps it’s a sign of vulnerability in the relentless grind of professional sports. Either way, it’s hard not to keep an eye on this story as it unfolds.
