New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge was booed during a home spring training game, which caught many by surprise.
Although most of the boos came from Baltimore Orioles fans who were visiting Tampa for the game, it was still a surprise to see Judge being booed at home. Yet, after the game, he spoke to Jon Heyman and didn’t seem to care much about being booed.
“I see the bigger picture. I’ve got a job to do,” Judge told the New York Post. “I’ve got things to do, so I’m not going to be bothered by criticisms. If I was, I’m never going to accomplish what I want to do.”
Of course, the Yankees are division rivals of the Orioles, so Baltimore fans booing him isn’t a surprise. He was also captain of Team USA that lost in the WBC final, but Judge said he’s just focused on the Yankees and doesn’t let the boo’s impact him.
“There are so many things I’ve got to do,” Judge continued. “I’ve got to lead these guys, I’ve got to win a division. I’ve got to win a championship here.”
Judge is coming off another MVP season, having won the award in back-to-back seasons. He hit .331 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs last season with the Yankees.
Judge Focused on Yankees
After Team USA lost to Venezuela in the WBC final, Judge is now focusing on the Yankees’ season.
Judge admits the ending was frustrating, but he’s already turned the page to the Yankees season to try and help them get over the hump.
“You’re still thinking about the last couple of games. You’re mad about that,” Judge said. “But once I came back here, you get a chance to be around the boys and you throw on the pinstripes – now it’s time to get back to what we’re doing with the Yankees and building toward a championship with them.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, said Judge is ready to go and expects him to have another stellar season.
“He’s built up and ready to go,” Boone said. “I think the couple days backing off hopefully serves him well.”
The Yankees open their 2026 MLB season on Wednesday on the road against the San Francisco Giants.
New York Focused on Winning
The Yankees enter the 2026 MLB season with plenty of expectations.
Despite New York losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS, and running back a similar team, the Yankees have expectations of winning the World Series, manager Aaron Boone said.
“Last year was not anything anyone in this organization wants or demands or expects,” Boone said. “I would say we have poured into that. From ownership, to the front office, to the coaches and staff, all the way to the players, that I do feel like we have prepared properly. We are ready to roll.”
Boone, meanwhile, said the entire team is bought in and focused on winning the World Series.
“You know, obviously, going through what we went through last year as a club, nobody wants that ever again, and that really left a sour taste,” Boone said. “I do feel like we have a group that is always really focused and diligent on preparing and getting ready to go out and have a great season. But I do think there’s another level of edge and focus to not wanting to have that happen again, and we have a lot of guys with pride in there.”
New York has the second-best odds of winning the World Series.
Aaron Judge Makes Feelings Clear on Being Booed During Yankees Spring Training Game