When Aaron Judge Shared His Motivational Reasoning on Being the ‘New Derek Jeter’: Want to Set That Path for the Guys Coming Up’

Aaron Judge is the heart and soul of the New York Yankees. Leave his gameplay. His leadership alone is enough to make him a crucial part of the Pinstripes. Notably, the last few years have not been good for the Yankees. But Judge kept the team together during tough times.

Considering his leadership skills, Judge often gets compared with the former Yankees captain, Derek Jeter. Following the shoes of the legendary captain, Judge always prioritizes the team, and then he focuses on his performance.

Even though the Yankees have not named Judge as their captain, the 30-year-old slugger has led the team from the front. And that is the reason the Yankees fans see him as the successor of Derek Jeter. Once, Judge also opened up about being compared with the former Yankees captain.

Aaron Judge wants to be an example for the upcoming generations

Looking at his performances in the current season, Aaron Judge is in a league of his own. With 25 home runs, he is leading the batting chart. Despite coming off a poor season in 2021, the Yankees have been nothing but exceptional in the 2022 season. And for this, a lot of credit goes to Judge.

Judge’s motivation has always been to put the team first, only then anyone can win big in their career. Per New York Post, the Yankees slugger said that he wants to be in the same presence as Jeter, Ron Guidry, and other Yankees legends.

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“As a player, I want to be that same presence. I want to set that path for the guys coming up behind me that are in rookie ball, that are in low-A. ‘Hey, this is how we do things here. If you want to win, you want to be champions, you have to put the team first, you play hard every day and you do it for the team,” Judge said in 2020.

Judge on his comparison with Derek Jeter

Talking about his leadership and being compared with Jeter, Judge once said that he is fortunate to play for the Yankees. Per New York Post, the Yankees slugger also said that Jeter paved the way for him to be an outstanding leader.

“He paved the way for sure. That’s the thing that I’ve been fortunate to be with the Yankees, the legends we have coming in and out of the building during spring training, during the season, just checking in. The Jeters, the Mariano Riveras, Andy Pettitte, Ron Guidry, all those guys. Reggie Jackson. It’s no joke, man. You feel that presence,” Judge added.

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Given his legacy at the Yankees, fans would want Aaron Judge to spend the rest of his professional career in the Bronx. But since he is in the last year of his contract, it all depends on Judge whether he wants to continue or go somewhere else.