The Yankees lost by 2-0 against the Rangers, marking their fifth straight loss. Their captain, who had just come back from an injury, answered questions after the game. What Aaron Judge said made the already irritated Bleacher Creatures even angrier. Right away, people started to compare his calm leadership to that of Derek Jeter.
Judge, who had been on the injured list, took his place in the lineup. Fans were yearning for something to happen—anything. But what happened? The captain struck out twice, and the Yankees only got two hits, one of which was erased by a double play in the ninth inning. And when asked about it, he replied calmly but with a smile that ignited the Bronx.
When reporters asked the Yankees captain how he felt physically after coming back, he smiled and said, “Physically great, you know, results weren’t there, but I guess step it up, we’ll get we’ll get those right here.” That smiling reply, seen by millions of frustrated fans, sparked intense criticism about leadership. And what it truly means to wear the captain’s ‘C’ in the Bronx.
Aaron Judge reflects on his return to the Yankees’ lineup in their 2-0 loss to Texas.#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/ck3bOGPFr1
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 6, 2025
Eovaldi cut through the Yankees over eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six. NYY only got two hits, one of which was erased by a double play in the ninth inning. Their offense was weak, and his dominance made their slump clear.
When asked about Eovaldi’s strong performance, Judge said: “So you really got to be disciplined when you’re facing a guy like that. So you know, he made some pitches, made some tough pitching. Get us, kept us out the bases for quite a bit and I just couldn’t really get anything. Get going against them.”
As for his team, Judge didn’t deny that work needs to be done, but at the same time, he acknowledged the effort put in by the locker room. “Some work to do you know a lot of things to clean up but the boys in here are fired up to change all that and get things right,” he told the reporters. He emphasized the team’s potential, saying, “We’ve got a great ball club. There are a lot of mistakes all around—mental mistakes and physical mistakes. We’ve got to fix them now.”
The Yankees have made several mistakes this season, such as Jazz Chisholm Jr. getting doubled off first base on a routine pop-up and Austin Wells losing track of the number of outs. These errors contribute to the team’s struggles, which are a stark contrast to the championship expectations they had at the start of the season.
Unfortunately, Judge’s responses didn’t help the team either. It not only caused a storm wave across X, but also led to comparisons to none other than six-time World Champion Derek Jeter.
Derek Jeter comparison cuts deep among fans
The Bleacher Creatures are known for their harsh critique, didn’t mince words when pointing out Judge. A simple yet deadly statement: “Jeter wouldn’t have smiled.” This is not just a comparison—it’s an indictment. By referencing Derek Jeter, this fan highlighted the Yankees’ identity, which once embodied a winning dynasty. This season, however, the Bronx has failed to show that same intent.
Oct 28, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Yankeesoutfielder Aaron Judge (99) walks during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Another fan chimed in, questioning Judge’s approach, writing, “Maybe winning a championship not the most important thing to Judge. If he still sounding like this it’s a bad look.” The Bronx Bombers, especially Judge with his sky-high homers, have given hope. But now? That five-game stretch tells a different story altogether.
The contract has always been a lucrative part of baseball. And this fan pointed out, “When you make $40 million a season there is a lot to smile about.” He may not have inked the highest deal in MLB, but $360 million is no small amount.
When losses pile up, the hard criticism naturally follows. “This guy is too soft to be the captain.” A captain needs an edge. People see Judge’s mild tone as kindness when they need someone to be tough.
Not everyone was furious with Judge, but with Boone’s decisions. “People are getting mad at him for smiling … Maybe he’s smiling because it finally hit him that Boone is done.” Boone was criticized for using reliever Devin Williams in a crucial situation, as he had allowed runs in six of his last eight appearances. In the eighth inning, Williams gave up the winning runs, contributing to another Yankees loss despite better bullpen options.
It’s not clear yet if Judge’s optimism is a sign of good leadership or worrying detachment. But one thing is for sure: Yankees fans don’t want a captain who smiles through tough times.
The post “Jeter Wouldn’t Have…”: Aaron Judge’s Post-Game Demeanor After Yankees Fifth Straight Loss Sparks Outrage appeared first on EssentiallySports.