Aaron Judge has become the face of the Yankees. But while Judge has hit numerous homers, his postseason wasn’t up to the mark. Fans were desperate to see some prime Aaron, but it never came; especially in Game 5 of the World Series. He ignited the offense early with a two-run homer in the first inning, breaking out of his postseason slump and putting New York in front. Then, in the field, he showcased his usual brilliance with a jaw-dropping catch, crashing hard into the outfield fence to rob a hit.
But the rollercoaster took a steep dive when Judge dropped a routine fly ball in the fifth, a costly error that allowed the Dodgers to rally for five runs, tying the game at 5. WFAN host Tommy Lugauer has a similar take on Aaron Judge. Lugauer claimed Judge’s performance only shines against lesser competition, like “crappy pitchers in July,” and dismissed him from the conversation for “King of New York sports.”
The radio host also compared Judge to a “modern day Nick Swisher”, which is a bit of a jab, implying that Aaron Judge’s success might be somewhat inflated by facing weaker competition, similar to how Swisher—known for his solid regular seasons—had a knack for padding his stats against less-elite pitchers, particularly in non-crucial months like July.
"He is the modern day Nick Swisher…he only gets hits when he faces crappy pitchers in July"
Lugauer says Aaron Judge is out of the conversation for King of New York sports, and Francisco Lindor should be nominated:https://t.co/uEaMEv2uOF pic.twitter.com/YxEJrlexB1
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) February 4, 2025
In Lugauer’s eyes, the crown now belongs to Francisco Lindor, who’s been a model of consistency for the Mets. While Judge’s bat can light up any stadium during the regular season, especially against weaker pitching, Lugauer suggests Lindor’s all-around game, leadership, and clutch moments make him a more worthy contender for the title of New York’s topathlete. His argument seems to stem from a belief that Judge has yet to fully show up in the postseason on a consistent basis—something Lindor, who’s thrived in big moments for the Mets, has done time and time again.
2025 can be the year of the 2x AL MVP
Aaron Judge is primed to continue his reign as one of the most dominant players in Major League Baseball, and 2025 could see him rewriting the record books yet again. After establishing himself as a true powerhouse in recent seasons, Judge enters the new campaign with an impressive chance to surpass his Steamer projections of 46 home runs and a 170 wRC+.
Should he hit those marks, Judge would become just the 11th player in MLB history to hit 45 home runs in four different seasons, cementing his place among the game’s elite, but it doesn’t stop there. Judge is not just chasing home runs; he’s aiming for unprecedented levels of offensive efficiency. A season with at least 35 home runs and a 170 wRC+ for four consecutive years would make him just the third player in baseball history to achieve that feat. And if Judge does manage to notch another 50-homer season in 2025, he’ll find himself in even rarer company.
A fourth such season would tie him with the likes of Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and even the legendary Babe Ruth for the most 50-homer seasons in history. What’s wild is that Judge has made 50 homers look almost routine—he hasn’t just flirted with the 40s; when he hits 40, he’s usually on his way to 50. With the way he’s performed over the past few years, there’s a good chance Judge will add another historic achievement to his already impressive resume, further cementing his place as one of the most feared hitters of his era.
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