Video summary
The Yankees expressed immense satisfaction after scoring five runs in the first inning against Gerrit Cole in Arizona, a strong start that boosted team morale despite the challenging mountain conditions. This early offensive explosion provided a significant advantage, allowing the squad to build momentum right from the opening moments of the game. The performance highlighted the team's ability to capitalize on opportunities and set a positive tone for their series, proving that they can dominate even when facing tough pitching in an unfamiliar environment.
The conversation also turned to the difficult situation surrounding Aaron Judge's absence, which was described as a particularly hard blow for the entire organization given his long time away from the lineup. Although Judge returned briefly before leaving again, the team emphasized their resilience and commitment to playing hard regardless of his status. Players stressed the importance of staying within themselves and focusing on executing pitches and putting together quality at-bats rather than letting individual pressure or anxiety affect their performance.
Regarding specific targets like Boone's prediction of 39 home runs, Judge acknowledged that the number was likely intended as a playful challenge to get under his skin rather than a serious expectation. He clarified that he does not have a specific goal in mind for his power numbers, preferring instead to focus on driving in as many runs as possible and winning games throughout the season. The team agreed to take things one game at a time, trusting their collective effort and letting the final totals speak for themselves by the end of the year.
Finally, the atmosphere within the clubhouse was described as supportive and united, with teammates actively checking in on Judge to show their solidarity during his recovery. There were no major conflicts or negative comments from him regarding the team, only individual conversations where everyone expressed their eagerness to have him back. This sense of camaraderie ensures that the team remains focused on their shared objectives while providing a stable environment for Judge to return to full health and form whenever he is ready.
Read the full video transcript
Anytime you put that many runs up in the
first inning,
um you're feeling great. Um especially
when you got Gerrit Cole in the
mountain, so
um it's good for us to start off like
that.
>> [music]
>> What does it tell us about the Aaron
Judge's situation and the team's
>> [music]
>> ability to potentially overcome it?
>> Yeah, it's uh I mean, it's a it's a
tough blow. Um tough blow for us to
take. Um
obviously, you know, we were we were
missing him for a long time there, so uh
this one uh is especially hard to
swallow. Um
him, you know, just being back for for a
brief period and now now already already
gone, but um we got no choice but to
just keep playing hard, keep doing our
thing. Um everyone's just going to keep
staying within themselves and and uh and
trying to have team at bats, go out
there and execute pitches. All of it.
>> Cody talked earlier about the last time
Judge was out and how guys putting
individual pressure on each other on
themselves, trying to do too much. How
do you make sure that doesn't happen?
>> Yeah, I think uh um
I mean, to make sure it doesn't happen,
I mean, you just Yeah, you just I mean,
you can't really have that in your mind.
I don't I don't think that's really in
anybody's heads. Uh I would just
um
think that everyone just goes out there,
like I said, stays within themselves, um
tries to put together quality at bat
after quality at bat. Pitching's always
going to be doing their thing, um like
they have for us all year, so uh from an
offensive standpoint, it's just for us
to kind of do what we did today. Go out
and have a team at bat, um trust the guy
behind you, and uh keep the line moving.
>> Boone said he predicted 39 home runs for
you this year. Did you know about that?
>> Yeah, he uh
he said something uh
in spring training, I feel like. Uh
you know, he's you know, he really wants
you to get out there and and hit 39 for
us. Uh so
know what he's doing.
>> Did you ask him why 39?
>> No, I because I I knew what he was
doing. I I knew he was going to
knew was uh trying to get under my skin
a little bit there. He likes to he likes
to, you know, just
short you short you one, short you two.
Um
of uh of maybe what your goal goal would
be, but um
of course uh just going to keep taking
it one game at a time.
>> So, your goal is 40 or 41?
>> The goal is uh
driving as many runs as we can and win
as many games as we can. We'll we'll
we'll see how many uh
uh how big the totals are at the end of
the year. I don't really have any kind
of goal in mind.
>> Did Judge say anything to the team or
did you see him and what's his what's
his mood like?
>> Um no, nothing other than just, you
know, just individual conversations
where, you know, I mean we're
obviously, you know, we're we all we all
feel for him. Uh
you know, maybe just
checking in on him. You know, he knows
we're all here to support him and and
we're all very eager to get him back.