Apart from playing for the Yankees, there is another similarity between Aaron Judge and Alex Rodriguez. Both witnessed the greatest heartbreaks in the team’s history. No matter what figures you are putting on the board, you will be evaluated by your October glory in New York. And for some of the game’s elite, like Aaron Judge, the World Series ring remains painfully out of reach.
But Rodriguez has a plan for the captain.
Despite an illustrious career, A-Rod walked away with just one title in 2009 and carries with him the scars of postseason near-misses and crushing defeats. Now, with Aaron Judge leading a powerhouse Yankees squad, once again in contention, Rodriguez reflects on the emotional toll of falling short and offers a candid, heartfelt roadmap for Judge.
He urged Aaron Judge to seize the moment, rise above the pressure, and etch his name among the immortals by finishing the job when it matters most. A World Series ring! “For me, 2004 was an absolute debacle, being 3-0 against the Red Sox and then losing four in a row… For five years, I did not sleep comfortably; until five years later, we brought it and we dropped the hammer.” Rodriguez confessed in his interview with Fox News.
Do you remember the 2004 series against the Red Sox? Few wounds in the Pinstripes’ history sting as sharply as the collapse of 2004. They held a commanding 3-0 lead over their archrivals in the ALCS and were one win away from another trip to the World Series. But then, the Red Sox mounted the greatest comeback in baseball postseason history, winning four straight games and flipping the script.
For Yankees fans and players alike, that series wasn’t just a loss, it was trauma. Rodriguez, who was a central figure on that 2004 team, just reflected on the weight of that failure. And now, it’s a warning shot that looms over stars like Aaron Judge.
“It’s obvious when you play the Dodgers, you need your full team. And without Gerrit Cole, it makes the team suffer.” Rodriguez referred to the recently concluded series against the Dodgers, which the Yankees lost by 1-2. Yes, when you lose a premium pitcher like Cole due to injury, it surely matters. But this is not the first time the Yankees went down against the Dodgers. Perhaps, the bigger heartbreak was last year.
Aaron Judge is not new to such heartbreaks. Remember his infamous drop ball in game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers? The catch was missed, and so was the ring. While Rodriguez got redemption by winning the ring in 2009, Judge is yet to get there. And Rodriguez is hopeful…
“He needs a moment like that, and I think he would get one. Being part of the Yankees, you’re gonna crack the season every year versus the teams that go to play out of every 3-4 years. So that’s on his side and talent on his side.” Well, the Yankees have made it to the playoffs a total of 59 times in their 123 seasons. So yes, Judge has a team to contend with every year.
While he missed the chance last year, this season can be his chance for redemption. And considering how the Yankees are currently leading the AL East by 38-23, the postseason might just arrive. But there’s a twist…
Aaron Judge got a toned-down version of the Yesteryear Yankees
Well, the Yankees during Rodriguez’s era were a symbol of sustained excellence. That team was defined by a perfect blend of superstar talent, strong leadership, and postseason success. Apart from Rodriguez, it had legends like Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter. In contrast, apart from Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, the 2025 Yankees lack the same level of star power and consistency.
Moreover, the A-Rod-era Yankees were built for October. From 1996 to 2009, they won five World Series titles and made the playoffs almost every year. Now, the Yankees, despite frequent playoff appearances, have failed to win the World Series since 2009. Hence, it is not about A-Rod or Judge but an entire team.
While A-Rod had a team that was about dominance, class, and legacy, the current Yankees are a team in transition. They are talented, but lacking the cohesion and championship DNA of the past. So, for Aaron Judge, the challenge is massive.
But does that mean this team will surely not have a ring? Thanks to the brilliance and leadership of Aaron Judge, the team was just on the brink of getting it last year. And this year, they mean business. While Judge is firing all guns from the batter box with 21 HRs at a .392 BA, the Yankees are leading the AL East by a 38-23 record.
So, it’s just about time that Aaron Judge gets his redemption.
The pressure of October looms large, especially given the legacy ghosts of 2004 and A-Rod’s postseason scars. But Aaron Judge seems locked in and determined to bring a championship back to the Bronx. Let’s see how this coming postseason goes for the captain and if he ultimately gets his long-awaited ring.
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