Aaron Judge, star outfielder for the New York Yankees, expressed admiration for Shohei Ohtani’s batting prowess as the Yankees prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.
In an interview, Judge called Ohtani the “best player in the game” and broke down what makes the two-way phenom special.
“Just his ability to stay through the zone. He stays through the zone so long,” Judge explained, according to Dodgers reporter Bill Plunkett. “Even when you think you got him, you don’t got him.”
The matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers not only features two of baseball’s best teams but also pits the likely MVPs of each league against each other.
Ohtani, who missed pitching duties this season due to Tommy John surgery, still made history. He became the first player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, adding this unprecedented achievement to his 40/40 club membership.
Judge, who had an outstanding season himself, led MLB with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and a 1.159 OPS. He praised his teammate Juan Soto’s postseason heroics and has kept his focus on the team’s success.
The World Series begins Friday, with Gerrit Cole starting for the Yankees and Jack Flaherty for the Dodgers, marking both Judge’s and Ohtani’s debut in the Fall Classic.
