This weekend, the New York Yankees swept the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, including a 7-5 comeback win on Sunday highlighted by a 464-foot Aaron Judge home run — one of three in the series.
While it may have been tough for Giants fans to watch the superstar slugger from Linden, California, defeat his hometown team, it was especially bitter given that he considered the Giants during his free agency two years ago.
Ahead of this weekend’s series, Matt Steinmetz of 95.7 The Game in the Bay Area offered his own explanation for why Judge did not sign with the Giants, a rumour that gathered traction following an incorrect tweet by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. Judge re-signed with the Yankees after the 2022 season for a nine-year, $360 million contract.
“There’s one reason why Aaron Judge didn’t want to come to San Francisco: He’s gutless,” Steinmetz stated. “He didn’t want the pressure from Barry Bonds. He did not want to blast 50 home runs per year and have Giants fans mumble, ‘Ho Hum.'”
Judge’s decision to remain in New York’s high-pressure market is not “gutless.” But it’s understandable that Giants supporters would feel stung when Aaron Judge arrives at Oracle Park in pinstripes.
It hurts even more because Judge is batting.288/.417/.658 with 21 home runs and 47 RBIs for the 42-19 first-place Yankees, while the Giants are 29-31 and in third place in the National League West.
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