MLB Legend Who Hosted Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez Together, Once Gave Aaron Judge a Harsh Reality Check In His Rookie Year

Aaron Judge is considered a bonafide MLB star today. Many rate him as one of the best players in the League right now, if not the best. Judge has been a consistently great power hitter while also showing his talent as an outfielder. In 2022, he had his career-best season, smashing his way to the AL MVP award.

He is seen as one of the faces of the MLB and is the Yankee’s centerpiece. But Judge was not always this highly rated, despite his excellent performance over the years. One MLB legend rated Judge on the lower side halfway through his rookie season.

MLB legend Reggie Jackson once pulled Aaron Judge down with these words in his rookie year

In 2017, Aaron Judge had a stellar rookie season and eventually took home the AL Rookie of the Year award. Furthermore, he also finished 2nd in AL MVP voting, a tremendous feat for a rookie. But halfway through the year, Reggie Jackson said some cold words about Judge’s season. The MLB legend said Judge had a lot to prove, and that he wasn’t a great player after half a season.

According to TMZ, Jackson said, “Judge still has a lot more to prove.” Jackson also said, “One half-season doesn’t make a great player.” This was a low rating for a player who, at the time, had hit 32 home runs and was playing some fantastic baseball. Furthermore, the relationship between Jackson and Judge may not have changed much, even today. 

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The MLB legend recently hosted a golf tournament and although Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez made appearances, Judge was nowhere to be seen. A lot has changed for Judge over the last few years. He has evolved from a rookie with star potential to a star and leader for the Yankees.

Judge has become the Yankees’ core piece

Aaron Judge has become the centerpiece of the New York Yankees. He recently signed a 9-year $360 million deal to stay with the team and retire in pinstripes. Furthermore, he was also named the Yankee’s captain, a position that has remained empty since Jeter’s retirement in 2014.

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The Bronx Bombers will heavily depend on Judge over the next few years and will aim to win a World Series with him. Despite what people may say about him, Judge has become the core of the Yankee franchise. What do you think of Reggie Jackson’s statement about Aaron Judge during the latter’s rookie season? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!