The storied rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is far from over, and tensions during their recent matchup have exacerbated it. Boston reportedly targeted Aaron Judge with a pitch on Saturday and the slugger responded with a vengeful home run on Sunday that lifted the Yankees to a decisive victory, capping a dramatic weekend.
The Yankees secured a series win against the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon, and postgame talk revolved around the tension that had built between the division rivals.
However, prior to Sunday’s game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted that Boston had attempted to hit Aaron Judge, implying that pitcher Brayan Bello aimed a pitch at the Yankees batter during the sixth inning. This incident came after Yankees ace Gerrit Cole hit Red Sox star Rafael Devers in Boston’s 7–1 win on Saturday, which Cora had previously claimed was intentional.
Bello’s throw narrowly missed Aaron Judge’s back, prompting fresh speculation about the tensions brewing. Cora acknowledged the moment, saying Boston had had its chance and it was time to move on. He added that he considered the matter settled in the sixth inning of the previous game.
Aaron Judge, however, didn’t seem to mind the ordeal, downplaying the missed pitch. “That’s baseball,” Aaron Judge said, adding that the pitch didn’t land and there was nothing else to be done: “It missed. I couldn’t do anything.”
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In a surprising twist, Cora also revealed that he had met with Aaron Judge after the game, initially thinking reporters were asking about a postgame conversation with Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Aaron Judge confirmed the meeting but did not elaborate, saying only that it was a “good conversation.”
Aaron Judge’s revenge against the Red Sox
After Aaron Judge hit a home run to extend the Yankees’ lead to 4-0 against the Red Sox on Sunday, he made a notable move by carrying his bat for part of his run around the bases. The ball went up and bounced off the facade of the restaurant above Monument Park. When asked if the bat-carrying gesture was intentional, Aaron Judge brushed it off, joking that it was just something he does.
“I thought he did it all the time,” Aaron Judge said. “No?”
The Yankees concluded their series by taking three of four games and finishing their homestand with a solid three-game lead over the Orioles in the division. Their 5-2 run in the Bronx featured standout performances from all players. Gleyber Torres continued his hot streak from the striker spot, Carlos Rodon had a strong performance on the mound, and the newly revamped bullpen provided crucial support. Manager Aaron Boone’s team left the series in good shape, with an eye toward their next matchup.
Both Boone and Aaron Judge had a chance to address pregame remarks by Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who acknowledged that Boston had intentionally targeted Judge during Saturday’s contest. Boone didn’t mince words, making it clear that such actions would not be tolerated and saying the matter would be handled by the proper authorities. However, he kept his focus firmly on the upcoming series against Seattle, saying that deliberately throwing at batters has no place in the game.
“That’s not allowed,” the Yankees manager said. “Someone else needs to deal with that. We’re done playing them now. We’re going to Seattle. Obviously, you can’t do that.”
As for Cora’s comments, Boone was diplomatic, allowing Cora the right to manage his team as he saw fit but choosing not to pursue the matter further. Boone also speculated that Cora had used Cole’s intentional walk on Devers — which had sparked a big Red Sox comeback — as a fulcrum to boost team morale in its dwindling postseason hopes.
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Aaron Judge, for his part, downplayed any hard feelings, calling Brayan Bello’s pitch part of baseball’s tradition of players policing themselves. Whether Cora’s remarks were a game or something more, Aaron Judge seemed unfazed, ready to focus on the next challenge.
“Being around for a while, things like this happen,” Aaron Judge said. “I know they were upset that three of their guys got hit that day. They’re just protecting their players. Something has to happen. That’s how you police this game, and it’s been policed for over 100 years. The most important thing is that you don’t miss when you do it.”
“They’re just protecting their players… I think the biggest thing is just don’t miss when you do it.”
Aaron Judge reacts to Alex Cora’s implications that the Red Sox threw at him during Saturday’s game. pic.twitter.com/7CAdQb3Pdg
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Aaron Judge maintained a calm and measured stance in addressing the recent dustup with the Red Sox, acknowledging that incidents like this are part of the fabric of the game. He acknowledged Boston’s frustration after three of its players were hit by pitches, and viewed its response as a form of self-protection. Aaron Judge noted that this type of back-and-forth has been part of baseball’s unwritten rules for more than a century. However, he added a caveat: If teams choose to retaliate, they must be precise in their execution.
In Sunday’s 5-2 win, Aaron Judge once again showed why he is one of the game’s top talents, launching his 53rd home run of the season with a towering 445-foot shot to center field. As he rounded the bases, he carried the bat longer than usual, only tossing it into the grass as he neared first base.
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Asked if the extended bat hold was a message in response to Saturday’s tensions, Aaron Judge dismissed the idea. He attributed it to a celebratory gesture in the heat of an important game, saying it was part of the moment.
“I thought I was always doing that, right?” the Yankees captain replied. “Playing against the Red Sox, great opponent, great game, great moment. Just having a little fun out there.”
Explaining his actions, Aaron Judge said that carrying the bat was routine for him and nothing out of the ordinary. He highlighted the intensity of the rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox and the importance of the game, noting that his hit came at a crucial time. Ultimately, Aaron Judge said he was simply enjoying being on the field, soaking up the atmosphere of a hard-fought victory.
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