"The burden of greatness is heavy. The burden of greatness in New York is planetary. And for those unleashing screeds on Judge's postseasons -- on hot take shows and sports-talk radio and in bars and at family dinners and everywhere, really, that anyone talks about the Yankees -- it was never about whether they were fair. After all, his performances had been undeniably foul."
"He cares about winning. He cares about success. He cares more than anyone who criticizes him, mocks him, derides him, leans into his past performances as if they're predictive of an unknowable future. Judge always separated those struggles, not just because he needed to but because it is how he lives, purposely boring and boringly purposeful. He believed the moment would present itself and he would meet it."
"Regardless of how the American League Division Series between the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays breaks, what Judge did Tuesday night was the sort of thing that should put to rest questions about his October aptitude. It won't, because it never could, but the wide-eyed, wonderstruck, childlike gawking of everyone in the Yankees' clubhouse told the story of Tuesday night's season-saving 9-6 victory against the Blue Jays in which Judge left jaws agape."
Aaron Judge faced intense, often unfair scrutiny for past postseason struggles amid enormous New York expectations. Judge disregards external noise and prioritizes winning and success, maintaining a deliberately routine and purposeful approach to life and baseball. Confidence and patience guide his preparation, rooted in consistent success across his career. In a pivotal 9-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, Judge produced a season-saving performance that energized the Yankees' clubhouse. Opposing reliever Louis Varland entered in the fourth with a 6-3 lead, briefly fooling Judge with a 90 mph curveball before following with multiple 100 mph fastballs.
Read at ESPN.com
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