New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was accused of ignoring some Little League players this week, prompting the team to rush to his defense.
After South Shore Little League coach Bob Laterza criticized Judge for not having engaged with his Staten Island team during the Little League Classic on Sunday, the Yankees got involved — vehemently backing the face of their franchise.
“Aaron Judge always acts with kindness and respect,” the Yankees said in a statement to ESPN on Wednesday. “The coach could learn a lot from him.”
Sunday night’s MLB Little League Classic featured a matchup between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The annual game coincided with the Little League World Series, from which Laterza’s team was eliminated Tuesday.
Laterza told the Staten Island Advance that his team was able to meet with several Yankees stars Sunday, including Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Jason Dominguez, as well as manager Aaron Boone. But the absence of Judge left a bitter taste for Laterza.
When his team sat behind home plate and yelled Judge’s name, Laterza said, Judge ignored them.
“How about turning around or wave to New York and the kids that think you’re a hero?” Laterza said. “They are the ones who pay your salary.”
The Yankees responded by calling Judge “one of the greatest ambassadors of our sport” and said their players connected with many Little Leaguers that day. Judge was also seen interacting with several of the children.
Despite Laterza’s remarks, the Yankees wished South Shore Little League the best and said they hope to host the team at Yankee Stadium.
“However, it would have been much better if Staten Island’s Coach called us to understand the facts before bitterly reacting in such a public fashion,” the team said. “Reaching out to us would have been the prudent way to act and would have set a fine example for his young players.”
On Wednesday, before the Yankees faced the Cleveland Guardians, Judge said he would not address Laterza’s comments.
“I’m not gonna give him a response because it’s about the kids,” Judge said, according to The Associated Press. “This is what it’s all about.”
Judge said he got to “make some great memories” with the kids in Williamsport.
Manager Aaron Boone also chimed in, saying, “Aaron Judge is as good as it gets with everyone.”
Judge this year became the first Yankee to hit 34 home runs before the All-Star break. He also holds the American League record for the most home runs in a single season, with 62 in 2022.