Yankees Slugger Aaron Judge 'Can Do it All,' Says Texas Rangers Skipper

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy couldn't hide his admiration for New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who set the American League single-season record for home runs in 2022.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy wasn’t in Arlington last October when New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge broke the American League record for home runs in a single season at Globe Life Field.

Bochy was likely watching from home, so Thursday’s game against the Yankees was his first up-close look at Judge since he took over as manager in October.

But Bochy had plenty of good things to say about Judge before the start of the four-game series. The Yankees won the opener 4-2 Thursday night.

“I don’t know where to start,” Bochy said. “It’s incredible the year he had last year, but the athlete that he is … you talk about his hitting. But his baserunning, his fielding, he does it all.

“He’s one of the best players when you talk about the greatest players in the game right now, but I’m sure it’s going to be over the history of the game. That’s how good he is.”

Judge left the series opener with right hip discomfort in the fourth inning. His status for Friday night’s second game is uncertain.

Judge was the American League MVP last season after hitting 62 home runs, which broke Roger Maris’ AL record of 61 set in 1961. A Yankee has held the AL record for most home runs in a season since Babe Ruth set the record with 60 in 1927.

Judge batted .311 last season and led either the AL or MLB in runs (133), RBI (131), walks (111), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111), OPS+ (212) and total bases (391). He was an All-Star for the fourth time and a Silver Slugger for the third time.

In the offseason he re-signed with the Yankees for nine years and $360 million.

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