New York Yankees superstar outfielder Aaron Judge dismissed his personal hitting instructor’s criticisms of the team‘s recent performance, emphasizing that he remains focused on his own game.
“It doesn’t involve me, to be honest,” Judge said on Friday, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “It’s somebody else making a comment. I’m not going to comment for somebody else. I’ve got no control over what another person does. It’s out of my control. I’ve got nothing for you.”
The remarks in question came from Richard Schenck, Judge’s hitting instructor, who responded to the YES Network on social media. The network had highlighted the 2022 AL MVP’s impressive statistics in New York’s wins, to which Schenck replied:
“They’ve lost 13 out of 18 while he’s hitting like an MVP. The Yankees’ offensive player development is terrible,” Schenck wrote on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter).
Judge revealed that he wasn’t aware of Schenck’s post until just before Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Yankees manager Aaron Boone also addressed the situation, downplaying the significance of Schenck’s comments.
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“People are going to say things, and certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Boone said, per Hoch. “Especially when you go through a tough stretch and you wear this uniform, I know people are going to take shots and things like that.”
The Yankees have indeed been struggling, with a dismal 5-15 record in their last 20 games, which has seen them fall behind the Baltimore Orioles in the race for first place in the AL East.
Despite the team’s recent slump, Judge’s individual performance has remained stellar, which only adds to the frustration of fans and analysts alike.
Boone’s response highlights the scrutiny that comes with playing for a high-profile team like the Yankees, especially during difficult periods. Both Judge and Boone seem to be taking the criticism in stride, focusing on turning the team’s fortunes around rather than getting caught up in external comments.
As the Yankees aim to get back on track, the focus remains on improving their overall performance and climbing back up the standings. Judge’s ability to stay focused on his own game while navigating external distractions is a testament to his professionalism and dedication to the team.
