John Schneider, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, was unable to watch Aaron Judge approach the plate once more.
Judge took the mound again in the bottom of the second inning after launching his 41st home run of the season, a two-run blast in the bottom of the first inning, to give the New York Yankees a lead they would never relinquish on Saturday afternoon.
There were no runners on for the Yankees skipper to drive in this time, but he might still hit a solo home shot.
Schneider was not interested in witnessing Judge’s initial at-bat again with two outs in the inning. Thus, he denied the American League MVP front-runner even the opportunity.
Schneider gestured for Alejandro Kirk and Jose Berrios, his battery, to purposefully walk Judge. His logic made sense.
“After the game, I honestly didn’t feel like watching him swing.” Schneider remarked. We discuss the need to exercise extreme caution around him since it’s what can go wrong when you’re trying to be perfectly fine. Compared to other players in the league, he is in a different league. He has the ability to change a of a game with one swing.”
It also proved to be effective. Without suffering any more losses, the Blue Jays were able to end the inning.
We dubbed it the Barry Bonds treatment, as many others have, paying reference to the slugger’s absurd 2004 season in which he was intentionally walked 120 times.
But Bonds failed to achieve this uncommon achievement. This season, Judge is the first batter to receive a free pass when the bases are empty.
In the first two innings of a game, he becomes the first player in fifty years to intentionally walk with the bases empty. The last instance occurred in 1972 when Minnesota Twins catcher Glenn Borgmann was walked by California Angels pitcher Rudy May.
Although both pitchers’ actions were calculated, May’s was made since he was hitting behind Borgmann rather than after the designated hitter was named.
The only reason I walked Judge on Saturday was to show my admiration for the amazing season he’s had. In just the first two innings of a game, he is instilling dread in the hearts of his opponents.
It’s hard to hold Schneider responsible, to be honest, especially when it functions.