With dynamic superstar Shohei Ohtani officially committed to the Home Run Derby, baseball fans are starting to dream about a stacked field that would being an added excitement to the midsummer event.
But a former champ with arguably the most raw power in the game isn’t interested in making a return to go for another title.
Asked about his interest in the 2021 Derby, Aaron Judge told reporters on Friday that he wasn’t interested in competing this season, and would likely only consider it in the future if the All-Star Game was in the Bronx, where it hasn’t been since 2008 at the old Yankee Stadium.
“I haven’t even thought of it, to be honest,” Judge said. “I’ve got no interest right now, unless the All-Star Game is back in New York soon.”
Judge won the event in thrilling fashion as a rookie in 2017, blasting 23 home runs in the first round, including one 501 feet, to edge Justin Bour in his home stadium in Miami. He then hit three over 500 feet in the second round to beat Cody Bellinger before taking down Miguel Sano in the finals.
Judge battled a shoulder injury shortly after that All-Star break and began the second half of the season in a slump before coming alive in September, and admitted in 2019 that his injury that year was related to the swings he took in the Home Run Derby.
But as a former champ and one of the most exciting power hitters in the league, Judge is confident that if he wanted to participate, it would only take a phone call.
“I feel like after winning it, I feel like I can have my own say in it, I guess,” Judge laughed. I don’t know…I think if you win one, you get the opportunity to pick.”
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