New York Yankees supporters are among the greatest in baseball. Perhaps even the finest.
Yankees fans are as passionate about their club as any other fan base, and they will let their players know when they aren’t performing well.
Take Aaron Judge as an example.
Judge, the 2022 American League MVP and Yankees standout, has had a tough start this season. How did Yankees fans react?
They booed him.
Yes. They booed Aaron Judge.
After a few months, Judge is the clear favourite to earn AL MVP for the second time in three seasons. He competes against a small group of players, including his friend Juan Soto.
Soto missed the Yankees’ weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to forearm soreness, but he isn’t anticipated to be placed on the injured list. The Yankees, on the other hand, refrained to provide a clear status on Soto, leaving the door open for him to play in one of the team’s weekend games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The most dramatic moment of Sunday’s game occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Yankees trailed 3-2 with two runners on base and one out. Trent Grisham, who had only gone 4-for-48 (.083) with a.432 OPS entering the game, stepped up to bat with a chance to give the Yankees the lead or at least tie it.
With Grisham struggling and MVP hopeful Soto on the bench, Yankees fans began yelling for the latter to pinch hit.
“We want So-to” cries rained down from the Yankee Stadium fans until they were silenced by one powerful swing from Grisham.
Grisham crushed a Tyler Glasnow fastball into the right-field seats, turning the boos into applause and giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead that they would not cede the remainder of the game.
After the game, Judge was asked about the shouts, and he was open about his views toward the home crowd.
“I wasn’t too happy with it,” Judge admitted. “Grish is a fantastic ball player. He arrived tonight in a crucial moment when we needed him.”
Grisham was asked if he overheard the chants.
“Yes, I heard ’em,” Grisham replied with a smirk.
Was he pleased to send a message with his powerful swing?
“It wasn’t about that,” Grisham explained. “I was just glad I was able to be present in the moment and not worry about myself. I ended up making a terrific swing on one.”
While Grisham declined to capitalize on the situation, Judge ensured that the 27-year-old outfielder received the recognition he deserved.
“Grisham works his butt off every single day,” the judge stated. “Soto is out right now, but he will be returning shortly. He has carried this team all year. When you play against good teams like these, the fans pay to see us do our thing; they want to see the best out there. But Soto will heal up and be fine.”
Judge finished with one final line.
“I think (Grisham) made a good point,” Judge stated. “Got his point across there with a homer.”
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