The New York Yankees have been playing some of the worst baseball in the league since the All-Star break, so frustrations have understandably reached a tipping point in the Bronx.
But the last thing the Yankees need right now is a blench-clearing incident and possible suspensions. Aaron Judge made sure to make that clear to his teammates on Sunday.
During the fifth inning of the Yankees’ game against the Blue Jays, Judge took a first-pitch sinker from Alek Manoah right to the elbow guard. Initially, Judge wasn’t too pleased with the pitch (I mean, who likes getting plunked?). So as Judge was having words with Manoah, Gerrit Cole emerged from the dugout to shout at the Blue Jays All-Star.
At that point, the situation could have escalated out of control. But then something great happened: Judge and Manoah met on the field, chatted and calmed everyone down.
Aaron Judge had words for Alek Manoah and Gerrit Cole was quick to come out of the dugout pic.twitter.com/KnUDe0gjMh
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 21, 2022
And while a first-pitch plunking to a star player always looks suspicious — particularly with first base open — the slow-motion replay seemed to show Manoah upset with himself as the ball left his hand. It wasn’t intentional in a one-run game, and that was likely what Manoah tried to get across in that show of respect between the two players.
As wild as a Judge vs. Manoah brawl would have been, MLB fans appreciated how the two players were able to deescalate the situation. Freddie Freeman had a similar approach last season.
This was how Twitter reacted
Judge showed a lot of class. https://t.co/HqAXktvQ4X
— My Blue Heaven💙💙💙💙💙 (@TMWhite16) August 21, 2022
Aaron Judge, 6-7, 282 vs. Alek Manoah, 6-6, 285, would have been a legit heavyweight fight. https://t.co/RKgSSGcpkq
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) August 21, 2022
No harm, no foul between Judge and Manoah. Clearly Cole doesn’t pay attention to Manoah as hitting batters is common for him. #RepBx #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/dxzbvdNXlK
— Doc Naismith (@DocNaismith) August 21, 2022
And that’s how it should be. Tensions got high but the two guys acted like adults #RepBX https://t.co/myJkPNoJ4I
— paul (@Doublelegpb) August 21, 2022
Judge and Manoah straightening things out is great sportsmanship. Judge is a class act
— Alejandro Kirk Enthusiast (@KikuchiBeliever) August 21, 2022
Judge talking to Manoah after the HBP and deescalating that whole situation as people started coming off the bench was seriously cool. Im not sure I’ve ever seen that before.
— Michael Kasdan (@michaelkasdan) August 21, 2022
Good on Aaron Judge to acknowledge there’s no way Manoah is trying to hit him there. That last sentence pains me a great deal. I hate acknowledging the evil empire in any positive way. #NextLevel
— BtotheD4PM (@btothe_d) August 21, 2022
Judge telling the dugout it’s alright and going over to Manoah to keep things at peace are leader qualities
— Josh Parsons (@josh29parsons) August 21, 2022
Slow mo of Judge and Manoah after Manoah hit Judge with an inside pitch with first base open: https://t.co/ZePXo2bHBb
— Jonathan Nicholson (@JNicholsonInDC) August 21, 2022
