New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge’s approach to the 2024 World Series emphasizes learning from failure without dwelling on past moments. Although the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series, Judge’s focus remains fixed on improvement and preparation for what lies ahead.
How Aaron Judge Analyzed His Postseason Performance to Prepare for 2024
Instead of revisiting highlights or hype reels from the World Series, Judge chose to review clips of his individual at-bats. Reflecting on his struggles—posting a .184 batting average with three home runs over 14 playoff games, including a .222 average in the World Series—he concentrated on identifying how Dodgers pitchers challenged him. Judge described his process, stating,
“We were there. I really don’t see a point in watching it.”
—Aaron Judge, New York Yankees captain
He dug into the details, analyzing the pitches and pinpointing the adjustments needed. Judge explained,
“I went over the games. I did what I need to do to get ready for this year, and that’s all you can really do.”
—Aaron Judge, New York Yankees captain
Adjustments Leading to Judge’s Breakout 2024 Campaign
Taking lessons from the previous postseason, Judge revamped his offseason and spring training routines. This transformation has led to historic-level performance through the first 55 games of the current season. His batting average stands at an impressive .395, complemented by a .488 on-base percentage and a .746 slugging percentage. Judge has already totaled 18 home runs and 47 RBIs, demonstrating marked improvement compared to the prior year.
His advanced metrics underline his success: an average exit velocity of 95.9 miles per hour, a barrel percentage of 25%, and a hard-hit rate of 57.8% place him among the hardest hitters in the game today. These statistics reflect how seriously Judge has taken his offseason work to avoid repeating past shortcomings.
The Mental Approach: Focused on Moving Forward, Not the Past
When the Yankees return to Dodger Stadium this weekend for another round against the Dodgers, Judge will not be revisiting the emotional weight of the earlier loss. While he admits a human desire for vengeance and proving doubters wrong, he chooses not to succumb to regret or “what if” scenarios. Instead, his mindset is firmly placed on future challenges and opportunities to excel.
Judge’s intensity and restless refusal to accept past setbacks as final are reshaping not only his own career but also his team’s potential in this season’s critical moments. His example highlights the demanding mental and physical preparation top athletes must embrace to redefine greatness on baseball’s biggest stage.