'Otani, ML's best player and baseball ambassador' Who would hear these words from Judge's mouth? We're going to be on a big stage

Oct 23, 2024

'Otani, ML's best player and baseball ambassador' Who would hear these words from Judge's mouth? We're going to be on a big stage
Aaron Judge is celebrating with his teammates after beating Cleveland on the 20th (Korea time) to confirm his advance to the World Series. AFP Yonhap News



'Otani, ML's best player and baseball ambassador' Who would hear these words from Judge's mouth? We're going to be on a big stage
Shohei Otani is delighted to hug his teammates after confirming his advance to the World Series on the 21st (Korea time). AP Yonhap News
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees praised Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will face off in the World Series, calling him the "best player".

Judge said in an interview in the press room of Yankee Stadium on the 23rd (Korea time), `He hits exactly, hits hard, and runs fast. There was a lot of talk about him stealing 50 times this season. But I don't think that's enough. "He's such an impressive player, the best player in the game, and a great ambassador in the Major League."

The `diplomatic ambassador' means that Ohtani is from Asia and is leading the globalization of Major League Baseball.




Judge expressed anticipation for Ohtani's play, saying, `His diamond work will set a really great example for our younger generation and all the children who will watch this series.'

In fact, it is not the first time Judge has praised Ohtani for such content. Since 2021, when Ohtani began his dual pitching and hitting job in earnest, he has played in a showdown between the two teams or an All-Star game, showing respect, awe, and favor at every opportunity. Ohtani is the only one in Judge's mouth who is praised as `the best player in the Major League.'

'Otani, ML's best player and baseball ambassador' Who would hear these words from Judge's mouth? We're going to be on a big stage
New York Yankees manager Aaron Judge and Aaron Boone are encouraging each other after they were confirmed to advance to the World Series with the victory in Game 4 of the ALCS. Imagn Yonhap News Agency
The World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers will be held for the first time in 43 years since 1981, and it is expected to be the best matchup and best game ever. In particular, the World Series is emerging as an event that attracts attention from all over the world, given that Judge and Ohtani, who have reserved MVP in both leagues, will compete with each other on the best stage.




Judge, who also praised the Dodgers, saying `a perfect team,' `We met during the regular season for many years when Otani was with the Angels. I remember he hit a home run over my head. I think it will be great for the people watching because we have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage at the most decisive moment," he said.

Judge and Ohtani won home run titles in each league this season, hitting 58 and 54 home runs, respectively. It is the first time in 68 years that the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) home run king will face off in the World Series since Mickey Mantle of the Yankees and Willie Mays of the New York Giants in 1956.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone "In the course of the regular season, we talked about the fun series countless times. He played in London and also hosted Field of Dreams. He visited LA several times during the regular season. As always, it was a fun and wonderful experience. It will be the same atmosphere here in the Bronx."




'Otani, ML's best player and baseball ambassador' Who would hear these words from Judge's mouth? We're going to be on a big stage
Tani Shohei bursts champagne after confirming his qualification for the World Series. Imagn Yonhap News Agency
The Yankees and Dodgers faced off once this season. It is a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on June 8-10. Judge won the decision against Ohtani at the time, but his team lost the losing series with one win and two losses.

While Ohtani went 2 for 13 with one RBI, two runs scored and one walk in three games, Judge went 7 for 11, hitting three home runs, five RBIs, four runs scored and three walks.

Game 1 of the World Series between the two teams will be held at Dodger Stadium at 9:08 a.m. on the 26th. The Yankees predicted Gerrit Cole and the Dodgers predicted Jack Fleherty.



jhno@sportschosun.com