Everybody was incredulous. Except, of course, Aaron Judge.
It was Oct. 9, and the Yankees’ postseason journey was threatening to curdle. Two days prior, the Kansas City Royals had stolen ALDS Game 2 in the Bronx to even the series. A Royals win in Game 3 would shove the Yankees to the brink of another early autumn exit, another winter of woe.
So when Judge was incorrectly called out on a check-swing to end the seventh inning of a tie game, a geyser of frustration erupted from the visiting dugout. Yankees arms flew skyward in exasperation.