“We’re Gonna Beat Every Single Team Into The Dirt”- Aaron Judge Reveals The Mindset Of Derek Jeter’s Yankees Camp

Aaron Judge is seen by many as the natural New York Yankees successor to be the face of the franchise. With large-scale success eluding the Bronx in the past few years it becomes key to mark the rad back to winning. And Aaron Judge may just have the way already charted out. Speaking about his experience from the past, Judge remembered New York Yankees legend, Derek Jeter’s camps, and the wisdom imparted during those days.

Judge specifically remembered a visit from Mariano Rivera that seems to have stuck with him through his career. Advice from the elder statesman is only bound to improve how the Yankees do and this was no different.

Aaron Judge debuted with the New York Yankees in 2016 and has been a right-field mainstay since. Endearing himself to the fanbase too, Judge is not only seen as a performer on the field, but also a leader for the roster forming around him. And for the ‘winningest’ franchise in baseball, it sure has been some time since their last World Series win. With the pressure for the pennant mounting, Judge took a look back at advice from other legends. More specifically, roster members from the Yankees’ most dominant run in the sport.

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Mariano’s advice for the New York Yankees

Recently appearing on a podcast, Aaron Judge opened up in conversation. Remembering some lessons he learned from camps organized by Derek Jeter in the past, he dove into them. Specifically harkening to a time when another legend, Mariano Rivera, had spoken to the roster members about what it means to don the pinstripes and step into the Bronx.

Judge recalled that Mariano asked them to cherish their opportunity to play for the Yankees; because this was an opportunity most people in the world would sacrifice a lot for. But Judge recalled an attitude that the dominant Yankees had about them more than anything else. “It didn’t matter who they were facing, they were going to beat this team into the dirt.” And the team had this mindset every single game. The reason? “We’re the New York Yankees”, said Judge.

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Change in mindset

Judge also mentioned that with the Yankees this mindset was a constant during their dominant run. Even though a hard-to-swallow loss, the Yankees would think the same. “They had our number today, but guess what, tomorrow, we’re gonna come back, respond and beat them into the dirt, “ remembered Judge. Perhaps it’s that sort of a shift that the Yankees of today need. Especially to finally break the barrier and get to that elusive World Series title.

The New York Yankees are an institution and with some pedigreed buildings, vanity is a +1. And Judge showed exactly what that meant to the Bronx Bombers. “Just having that mindset that you guys were the best team on the planet” said Judge. He went on to add, “It was one thing that I remember, kind of just taken from, you know, some of those talks we had.”

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The Yankees are certainly in build mode. And if they are to come up with trumps in 2022, then the change in mindset seems to be a necessary step. If nothing else, it will certainly go a long way in helping them achieve their goals for the season. But what do you think? Do the Yankees need new personnel? Or just a change in mindset with the old guard?