(Phoenix) Aaron Judge was working out at home in California with his wife on October 20 when he received a call from Jason Zillo, vice president of communications and media relations for the New York Yankees. York.
“Do you have a minute?” It’s very important,” Zillo said, according to Judge’s recollection.
“Is there a transaction?” Judge asked. What is happening ? Something important ? »
Zillo then asked him to sit down before announcing that he had won the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who showed character, community involvement and philanthropy in major league baseball.
“This is our highest honor because it highlights the combination of excellence on the field and service to our communities,” said Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Judge and Manfred were present at a news conference Monday along with Luis Clemente and Roberto Clemente Jr., son of the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder and Hall of Famer.
Clemente Sr. died on December 31, 1972, in a plane crash while trying to provide aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
“He set the standard for what it means to be a complete player,” Judge said. I try to model my game on his. The 3,000 hits are impressive, the batting average, the number of home runs. But honestly, I’m jealous of the Golden Gloves. »
Judge is the fourth Yankee to receive this honor after Ron Guidry (1984), Don Baylor (1985) and Derek Jeter (2009).
Judge just completed the first season of his nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees, who finished the campaign with an 82-80 record. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The outfielder averaged .267 with 37 home runs and 75 RBIs in 106 games. He was slowed by a toe injury after colliding with the fence at Dodger Stadium in June.