New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, a two-time American League MVP, has faced intense scrutiny for his underwhelming postseason performances, which contrast sharply with his regular-season dominance. Alex Rodriguez, a former Yankees star from 2004 to 2016, spoke about the similarities between his own playoff challenges and those that Judge currently faces.
During an interview at the Fanatic Fest with Tiki Barber and Evan Roberts, the 49-year-old reflected on moments from his career when postseason criticism was intense. Rodriguez recalled his playoff run with the Seattle Mariners and the turning point in a critical series against Boston, saying,
“I was in Seattle, and I had a phenomenal career in the playoffs,” Rodriguez said [from 2:35]. “I had a phenomenal career till we got to the game, probably, five against Boston, right? And some people were saying I was going to be the MVP of that, and all of a sudden we lose one, we lose two, and the rest is history.”
He acknowledged that the criticism during such high-stakes moments was ever-present, noting how it remained in his mind even though he never publicly admitted it. Rodriguez pointed out that this kind of pressure is unavoidable for stars like Judge, adding,
“I know that Aaron is such an amazing player. It’s just going to take one postseason, and he’s going to be off to the races,” Rodriguez said.
Highlighting Rodriguez’s Own Postseason Success and Legacy
Rodriguez’s most notable postseason performance came during the 2009 season with the Yankees, when the team won the World Series. Over 15 games, A-Rod posted a .365 batting average, contributing significantly to the championship run. Despite his impressive numbers, other teammates were recognized for their standout performances, with CC Sabathia earning the NLCS MVP and Hideki Matsui securing the World Series MVP honors that year.
The Intense Pressure of New York Sports Stardom
Playing for a team in New York comes with immense pressure, a reality Alex Rodriguez understands firsthand. The city‘s sports scene is one of the most passionate and demanding in the United States, applying heavy expectations on its athletes across all major leagues.
Currently, Aaron Judge and Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks’ point guard, represent the city’s highest-profile athletes. Rodriguez expressed his views on the “King of New York” debate in the same interview, emphasizing the importance of championships but showing respect for both players.
“I think whoever wins a championship first,” Rodriguez said [from 10:57]. “I hate politics, I really do. But I love sports, and I love New York. I’ll tell you what. The city of New York could not be represented by two better individuals. I love Aaron Judge, and I love Brunson.”
Despite his MVP accolades, Judge has yet to secure a World Series title since his debut in 2016. His closest attempt was last year, when the Yankees advanced to the World Series but fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York Yankees’ Prominence Among Local Rival Teams
The Yankees remain an iconic and immensely valuable franchise, often regarded as more popular and financially dominant than their local NBA and NFL counterparts. Forbes estimates the Yankees’ worth at $8.2 billion, surpassing the New York Knicks at $7.5 billion and the New York Giants at $7.3 billion. This underscores the heightened expectations placed on players like Aaron Judge to deliver postseason success for both the team and the city.