Aaron Judge doesn’t flinch under pressure. He doesn’t let the highs consume him, and he certainly doesn’t let the lows shake him. But does that mean he could handle the waves of criticism after his struggling 2024 WS?

Apparently, yes! At least, Yankees manager Aaron Boone drove home that message when addressing Judge’s difficulties.

Judge finished the regular season with an OPS over 1.100 and one of the best offensive performances in baseball history. But then, suddenly, everything started to look out of sync on the game’s biggest stage. He went 1-for-9 with six strikeouts in the first two games against the Dodgers, and Yankees fans—who had spent the year watching their captain demolish pitching—grew restless. But Boone?

He wasn’t worried.

In an interview with Buster Olney on Wednesday, Boone shared “He’s as good as I’ve ever seen,” when asked about Aaron Judge’s ability to handle adversity. “And it’s not even something he has to work on—he’s just built that way,” Boone exclaimed. He pointed out Judge’s respect for the game, and how he stays grounded understanding how difficult hitting truly is. “He’s truly taken aback sometimes when people ask about a slump.”

Boone added, “He is just like, man, that’s just baseball.” That approach is exactly what allows Judge to maintain his dominance over a grueling 162-game season. Unlike some stars who ride emotional waves, Judge remains levelheaded, understanding that slumps are inevitable even for the best.

Boone also emphasized that Aaron Judge’s leadership and focus on winning separate him from other superstars. After every Yankees win, the team holds a “belt ceremony,” where the players take a moment to speak. Judge, no matter how he has performed, always stands front and center. “You’d never know if he was the star of the night or if he had a rough game,” Boone acknowledged.

“It’s always about winning for him. He lives that he never shows you anything else.”

Judge’s World Series struggles may have given his critics fuel, but Boone remains convinced that his captain is built to handle the scrutiny. Boone believes Aaron Judge is fully prepared for the inevitable ups and downs of the game, expressing assurance that he will continue to dominate as usual.

And with the 2025 season approaching, Judge will have his chance to do just that—on his terms, in his own steady, unshakable way.

Why the Yankees rally behind Aaron Judge

Aaron Boone trusts Aaron Judge to bounce back because of his track record as one of the most dominant hitters. In the 2023 season, he faced injuries, but Judge displayed his skills the next year by hitting .311/.449/.678 with 61 home runs and driving in 153 runs across 172 games including the playoffs. He led the MLB with a 1.126 OPS. His ability to adapt and sustain outstanding power along with disciplined plate performance (notably drawing 144 walks and striking out 191 times) solidifies him as a reliable force, on offense.

Beyond the numbers, Aaron Judge’s leadership and work ethic are why Boone believes in him to rebound from any slump. He has repeatedly proven himself, bouncing back from injuries to deliver MVP-caliber performances, including his 2022 AL MVP season when he hit 62 home runs that gave him the title of team captain.

Another example came during the Yankees’ late-season push in 2024. When the team struggled in September, Judge didn’t show his frustration. Instead, he stayed consistent for his team. Supported players such as Anthony Volpe and Jasson Domímguez through words of encouragement and by hitting a game-winning home run against the Orioles to help the Yankees stay in the running for the playoffs.

Tbh, his ability to lead through adversity, combined with his elite skill set, makes a rebound nothing but likely. What do you think?