Aaron Judge, now in his ninth season with the New York Yankees, achieved a new milestone in his career during a game on Saturday afternoon. The 2022 American League MVP was ejected from a game for the first time after he argued a called third strike by home plate umpire Ryan Blakney in the seventh inning. The incident occurred when Judge disagreed with a 3-2 count fastball from Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton that he believed was outside the strike zone. Judge expressed his disagreement with the call before walking back to the dugout, where he was ejected by Blakney.
Judge’s ejection marked the first time in his career that he had been tossed from a game and made him the first Yankees captain to receive an ejection since Don Mattingly in 1994. Derek Jeter never experienced an ejection during his 12 seasons as captain. Despite being taken out of the game after going 2-for-4 with an RBI, Judge’s season average increased to .209 after the game.
The incident sparked controversy among fans and players alike, with many questioning whether Blakney was making calls too close to the plate or if he should have given Judge more leeway due to his reputation as one of the best hitters in baseball. The umpire defended his decision, stating that he had followed standard umpiring protocol and had not deviated from it.
Judge maintained respect for Blakney and acknowledged that their job is challenging due to difficult calls like this one. He also expressed disappointment at being removed from the game but understood that rules must be followed regardless of how frustrating they may be at times. The Yankees went on to win the game 5-3 without their star slugger on deck.
Overall, Aaron Judge’s ejection raises questions about consistency and fairness in umpiring decisions, particularly when it comes to borderline strikes like this one. It also highlights how important it is for umpires to maintain impartiality and make decisions based solely on their interpretation of the rules, rather than external factors such as fan pressure or team dynamics.
In conclusion, Aaron Judge’s ejection marks a significant moment in his career and raises important questions about umpiring decisions in baseball. While many may disagree with Blakney’s call or judge him harshly for removing such an important player from a crucial moment in the game, it is essential to remember that rules must be followed regardless of how difficult they may be at times. Ultimately, fairness and impartiality are what keep baseball competitive and enjoyable for everyone involved.
