Two of the biggest superstars in the game will be pitted against one another in the World Series, as Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani will meet in the Fall Classic in what is certain to be a dream come true for Major League Baseball.
In Judge’s mind, he and the Yankees will be going up against the best in the business in Ohtani, who is coming off the first 50/50 season in baseball history.
“Hits for average, hits for power, the speed, doing what he did this year with the stolen bases,” Judge said Tuesday, chuckling to himself as he pondered the greatness of Ohtani. “It got talked about a lot, but I don’t think it got talked about enough. He’s an impressive athlete. The best player in the game. What an ambassador for this sport.”
Ohtani is coming off an MVP season in his debut campaign with the Dodgers, and his greatness transitioned right to the playoffs, where he went 2-for-5 with a home run in his postseason debut, and holds a .934 OPS so far in his first taste of October baseball. Judge and Ohtani have had their memorable bouts against each other in the regular season, including Judge robbing Ohtani of a home run in Yankee Stadium in April of 2023, and homering himself a half inning later. Now, it will be on the grandest stage in what is the first taste of the Fall Classic for both stars.
“Getting to this point, this is where the real fun starts,” Judge said. “For years, as a kid watching the Yankees play in the World Series and win the World Series...the way the city comes alive, it's something definitely special. I’m looking forward to doing that with this group.”
Not only will the game’s two biggest and most recognizable stars be center stage, but two of the league’s biggest markets and recognizable brands as well, as the Yanks and Dodgers meet in the World Series for the first time since 1981. The series will begin in Los Angeles, a few hours from Judge’s hometown, and the site of where Judge’s 2023 season was derailed by a toe injury after crashing into the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium while making a fantastic running catch. But Judge only looks ahead to his return to Los Angeles with excitement, and the opportunity that awaits the Yanks.
“It’s gonna be fun,” Judge said. “I have a lot of family in southern California. Lot of cousins down there that are gonna be coming to the game. I always love playing at Dodger Stadium. It’s an electric atmosphere. One of the best fields in the game. A lot of guys are looking forward to it. Giancarlo as well.
He’s talked about it. It’s his favorite place to play. It’s gonna be a good time out there with a lot of friends and family.”