 |
| [Custom Photo Via TheTalkOfNewYork.com] |
Alright, settle down, because I'm about to drop some truth bombs that'll make some old-timers choke on their cannolis, but it needs to be said: Aaron Judge, when it's all said and done, is going to be the greatest Yankee of all time. Yeah, I said it. Lou, Joe D., Mickey, even The Babe himself – they're all legends, absolutely. But Judge? He's built different, and here's why he's destined to wear that crown.
First off, let's talk about the era he's dominating in. Forget the dead-ball era or even the relative weakness of pitching in the '30s and '40s. Judge is playing in an era of specialized bullpens, velocity, spin rates, and analytics that make hitting exponentially harder. Pitchers are throwing harder, with more movement, than ever before. For Judge to put up the kind of historical numbers he's already achieving in this environment? That's not just good, that's god-tier. You think Babe Ruth faced a 100 MPH cutter from a different guy every inning? Please.
Then there's the power. We're not just talking about home runs, we're talking about game-changing, jaw-dropping, spirit-crushing bombs. When Judge connects, it's not just a home run; it's a statement. It changes the entire energy of the stadium, the city, even the league. He broke Roger Maris's AL record, a record that stood for over 60 years, clean, in an era where everyone is scrutinized. That 62-homer season wasn't a fluke; it was a testament to his sheer, unadulterated power and consistency. And he's showing no signs of slowing down.
Beyond the raw stats, let's talk about his leadership and presence. This isn't just a slugger; this is the Captain. He carries himself with a quiet dignity, a humble confidence that resonates with the entire organization and the fanbase. He's the guy who sets the tone in the clubhouse, who always seems to make the right play, who never gets rattled. In a city like New York, that calm, consistent leadership in the biggest market in sports is invaluable. Jeter had it, absolutely, but Judge combines that with truly transcendent offensive production.
And speaking of Jeter, and all the other greats, consider this: Judge is doing it all as an outfielder, with incredible defense for his size. We're not just talking about a DH who mashes. This man patrols right field, making incredible catches, throwing out runners, and showing a versatility that often gets overlooked amidst the dingers. He's a complete player, a true five-tool talent in a giant's body.
Finally, and this might be the most controversial, but it's the truth: the longevity and consistency in the modern game. Injuries are a part of baseball, especially for big guys who swing as hard as Judge. But if he can stay healthy for a significant portion of his massive contract, and continue to put up even close to the numbers he's shown, his cumulative stats will be staggering. He's already posting WAR totals that put him in the conversation with the all-time greats on a per-season basis. Extend that out for another 5-7 years of elite production, and the argument becomes undeniable.
Comparing Aaron Judge's career stats through a similar timeframe to some of the all-time greats reveals just how exceptional his performance has been, particularly in terms of power and overall offensive impact. It's important to note that the game has changed over time, with different pitching philosophies and eras influencing offensive numbers.
Aaron Judge effectively began his full-time MLB career in 2017 (his 2016 debut was brief). So, we'll consider his stats through the end of the 2024 season, which gives him 8 full seasons of significant playing time.
Here's a comparison of Aaron Judge's stats (through the 2024 season) to other legends through their first 8 full seasons of significant MLB playing time:
Aaron Judge (2017-2024 - 8 full seasons)
* Games: 968
* Batting Average: .294
* Home Runs: 329 (estimated, including 2024. Sources vary slightly on current 2025 numbers, so using 2024 for an apples-to-apples comparison to 8 full seasons)
* RBI: 753 (estimated)
* OPS: 1.023
* OPS+: 177
* WAR: 56.5 (Baseball-Reference)
Babe Ruth (First 8 full seasons as a primarily offensive player: 1918-1925)
(Note: Ruth played as a pitcher for his first few seasons. His "full-time" offensive career really began around 1918. For consistency, we'll look at 8 seasons where he was a primary hitter.)
* Games: 1,027
* Batting Average: .345
* Home Runs: 269
* RBI: 830
* OPS: 1.135
* OPS+: 206
* WAR: 85.9
Ted Williams (First 8 full seasons: 1939-1942, 1946-1949 - missed 3 full seasons due to WWII)
* Games: 1,184
* Batting Average: .353
* Home Runs: 265
* RBI: 1,038
* OPS: 1.130
* OPS+: 192
* WAR: 67.2
Lou Gehrig (First 8 full seasons as a consistent starter: 1925-1932)
* Games: 1,223
* Batting Average: .345
* Home Runs: 208
* RBI: 1,018
* OPS: 1.109
* OPS+: 183
* WAR: 60.5
Albert Pujols (First 8 full seasons: 2001-2008)
* Games: 1,239
* Batting Average: .334
* Home Runs: 319
* RBI: 977
* OPS: 1.055
* OPS+: 170
* WAR: 66.8
Miguel Cabrera (First 8 full seasons: 2003-2010)
* Games: 1,290
* Batting Average: .317
* Home Runs: 271
* RBI: 987
* OPS: .949
* OPS+: 147
* WAR: 36.6
Key Takeaways from the Comparison:
* Home Runs: Aaron Judge's home run total (329) through 8 full seasons is higher than all the legends listed at a comparable point in their careers, including Babe Ruth and Albert Pujols. This highlights his truly exceptional power for this stage of his career.
* OPS+: Judge's career OPS+ of 177 is incredibly elite. While Babe Ruth and Ted Williams had even higher OPS+ at this stage, Judge's number is better than Lou Gehrig's (183 vs. 177 is very close, but Lou's was slightly higher) and significantly better than Albert Pujols' (170) and Miguel Cabrera's (147). This metric, being park and league-adjusted, suggests Judge's overall offensive production relative to his era is among the best in history.
* Batting Average: Judge's .294 batting average is strong, but several of the historical greats (Ruth, Williams, Gehrig, Pujols) had higher averages at this stage, reflecting different hitting philosophies and the evolution of pitching.
* RBI: Judge's RBI total is very good, but often tied to team context. Players like Gehrig, Williams, and Pujols had higher RBI totals due to often playing in more loaded lineups and accumulating more plate appearances.
* Games Played/Longevity: Judge has had some injury-shortened seasons, which is reflected in his lower games played compared to some of the others at this stage (e.g., Gehrig, Pujols, Cabrera). This impacts his counting stats, but his rate stats remain outstanding.
* WAR: Judge's WAR of 56.5 is excellent for 8 full seasons, placing him in the discussion with these all-time greats. Players like Ruth and Pujols had slightly higher WAR, indicating their overall value (offense, defense, baserunning) was arguably a bit higher.
Conclusion:
Aaron Judge, through his first 8 full seasons, has demonstrated an offensive impact that puts him in the same breath as some of the greatest hitters of all time. His power production is arguably unmatched for this stage of a career, and his elite OPS+ confirms his overall dominance at the plate. While concerns about longevity and injury history exist, his current trajectory is undeniably Hall of Fame worthy, and he's already carved out a place in the record books for his prodigious home run hitting.
So go ahead, bring up Ruth's OPS or Gehrig's average or Mantle's sheer talent. They're legends, no doubt. But what Aaron Judge is doing, how he's doing it, and the leadership he embodies in this unforgiving era of baseball, sets him apart. He's the total package, a living legend who's still writing his story. And when that final chapter is written, I'm telling you, it'll read: Aaron Judge, Greatest Yankee of All Time. You heard it here first. Now let's go win a damn World Series.
Is Aaron Judge the GOAT? 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/qlH3joAt1q
— Music Media (@musicmediaco_) May 23, 2025
MLB ALL-TIME wRC+ LEADERS:
— Benji (@yankeesgiantsa1) March 31, 2025
1. Babe Ruth
2. Ted Williams
3. Aaron Judge
4. Barry Bonds
5. Lou Gehrig pic.twitter.com/tng1KFTJPU
No comments:
Post a Comment