Judge on 2019: 'We didn't get the job done'

NEW YORK -- For the second time in three years, the Yankees’ charge toward the World Series concluded in the visiting clubhouse of Houston’s Minute Maid Park, and Aaron Judge’s immediate assessment was blunt.

Having declared to a sea of television cameras and microphones that he regarded the season as being “a failure,” Judge was presented with an opportunity to soften that stance a few moments later, when most of the recording devices had clicked off.

Is that really how these “Next Man Up” Yankees should be viewed, a club that overcame a historic barrage of injuries to notch 103 regular-season victories, sweeping the Twins in the AL Division Series before falling two wins shy of dispatching a stacked Astros club from the ALCS?

“When it comes down to it, it’s black or white,” Judge said. “Either you did your job and got where you wanted or you didn’t. We weren’t able to do that. We never really cared about how many guys got hurt. We always got the job done, and this time we didn’t get the job done when it counted.”

Limited to 106 games by injuries during the regular season, Judge said that he was chagrined by missing several opportunities to inflict damage during the postseason, having been held to six hits in 25 at-bats (.240) by Houston pitching. He homered off AL Cy Young contender Justin Verlander in ALCS Game 2, but he was otherwise kept in the ballpark for 34 playoff at-bats.

“All series long, we had guys on base,” Judge said. “If we capitalize and get a couple timely hits, this series might be different. We might not have even been playing a Game 6.”

What went right?

Boosted by a late surge in which he homered in each of the Yankees’ 10 series from Aug. 20 through Sept. 22, collecting 14 homers, Judge reached the 20-homer plateau for the third consecutive season. Nineteen of his 27 homers either tied the game or gave his club the lead.

“I’d run into a wall for every single one of these guys,” Judge said. “You walk in here, man, we’re all fighting for one thing and that’s to just go out and win the ball game today. So when you’ve got an environment like that, there’s no better place to play and thrive.”

Judge seemed to be going into the postseason on fire after reaching base in 24 of 57 plate appearances from Aug. 16-31, a surge that included a season-best nine-game hitting streak and homers in three straight games from Aug. 23-25, tying the longest streak of his career.

On Aug. 27, Judge rounded the bases for his 100th career homer, off the Mariners’ Yusei Kikuchi. It came in his 371st career game, making him the third-fastest player in terms of games played, behind Ryan Howard (325) and Gary Sanchez (355).

He also played stellar defense, including saving several runs in the playoffs. Judge’s 19 defensive runs saved (DRS) tied the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger for the most by a right fielder in the Majors, despite Judge playing in 136 fewer innings.

“As good an outfielder as Aaron Judge is, I think he's gotten better this year,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he's had an amazing defensive year.”

What went wrong?

The injury bug hit Judge early, as he strained his left oblique in an April 20 victory over the Royals and would not play again until June 21, missing 54 games. An All-Star in both of his first two seasons, Judge remained home for this year’s festivities.

“You can't control getting hit by a pitch, but obliques, hamstrings and anything like that, that's why I was so mad when I did it,” Judge said. “I felt like it was something that I did. Maybe I didn't warm up right or something happened that I could have controlled.”

At times, Judge’s power seemed to be sapped even after his return -- he endured a season-long 14 at-bat homerless stretch between July 19 and Aug. 4. Judge’s availability was impacted in late September after he landed hard on his right shoulder attempting a diving catch in a Sept. 18 game against the Angels.

Best moment

Judge enjoyed the second multihomer game of his career in a July 6 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field, swelling the Bombers’ division lead to a season-high 8 1/2 games. Judge hit a first-inning shot off Brendan McKay and an 11th inning blast off Ryne Stanek, powering New York’s 16th victory in 18 games.

2020 outlook

His 52-homer 2017 AL Rookie of the Year campaign was remarkable for many reasons, but it was possible because Judge played in 155 games. Keeping him in the lineup must be a priority, though it is made more challenging by Judge’s all-out defensive play, raising the risk of injuries when his 6-foot-7, 282-pound frame inevitably thumps into the turf, walls or seating areas.

Judge will turn 28 in April and should continue to be a feared presence near the top of the Yankees’ lineup, as well as one of the most recognizable faces of the roster. He plans to use the ALCS exit to power his offseason workouts.

“That's what's going to fuel me to do whatever I can to put our team in a better position to win,” Judge said. “Being a leader of this team, I've got to step up and do something.”