On a humid Bronx night, with the stadium shaking from another offensive outburst, Aaron Judge didn’t need to say much. The Yankees had just steamrolled their opponent, and the final blow—a grand slam—had come in the late innings. Fans were still buzzing, and as Judge stood in front of the cameras, his eyes lit up. He didn’t talk about himself. Instead, he grinned and pointed the spotlight at someone else.
That guy? Cody Bellinger. The former MVP who, after a turbulent few seasons, has found new life in pinstripes. He’s not just part of the Yankees’ offense; he’s become a force right behind Judge. With Juan Soto gone to Queens, many wondered how the New York Yankees would fill that gaping hole in the lineup. Bellinger has provided an emphatic answer: three hits, six-plus RBIs, and a game-clinching grand slam will do that. But more than the numbers, it’s his timing, energy, and chemistry with Judge that have flipped the narrative on the Yankees’ so-called rebuild.
“He’s just been swinging the bat so well the past couple games,” the Yankees captain said postgame. “ I love it when I have that guy hit by me.”
“I love it when I have that guy hitting behind me.”
– Aaron Judge on Cody Bellinger pic.twitter.com/qZNMaImgU6
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 19, 2025
It wasn’t just praise; it was reassurance. The Yankees aren’t reeling from Soto’s departure. They’re evolving. And Judge, the face of the franchise, is fully bought in. It’s remarkable how effortlessly Bellinger has taken on a position previously held by one of baseball’s best hitters.
He’s not attempting to imitate Soto; he’s embracing his style, as Belli. In the process, he’s causing quite a stir at the plate. Judge senses this as he approaches the batter’s box. Pitchers are no longer able to avoid pitching to him; they’re compelled to throw strikes, resulting in overwhelming outcomes.
You can feel it in the dugout. The confidence is evident again; it is not contrived or artificial but genuine and well-deserved this time around. The Yankees are putting together innings with patience at the plate, making opponents pay for their errors. This offensive rhythm is the type that secures victories in October, and Judge understands exactly what it requires to reach that level.
With Bellinger focused and Judge leading by example, the Yankees aren’t chasing what they lost. They’re focusing on what lies ahead in the future development of the team’s success, as Judge expressed his satisfaction with having that guy right behind him.
Bronx tension: Aaron Judge and Soto share moment amid Subway Series fireworks
This past weekend, Yankee Stadium drew attention not for the intense rivalry but also for a rare moment shared between two prominent baseball figures. Judge and Soto finally met face to face on the field. There had been much anticipation building up for months, ever since Soto’s move to the Mets caused quite a stir in the headlines and stirred up emotions along with some Bronx animosity. While fans were hoping for a showdown on the field with fireworks flying high in the sky above, what unfolded instead was a display of mutual respect between the two stars.
“Just said hello to him, I hadn’t seen him all series,” Judge shared after the Yankees’ 8-2 win on Sunday. “Just kind of wishing him the best. Kind of said, Hey man, you’re the best in the game. Things like this are gonna happen, just keep playing your game.” The short interaction may have spoken volumes beyond any news headlines. Judge refrained from throwing shade. Instead he displayed composure by providing words of support to his former teammate amidst the boos Soto endured on his comeback at the Bronx.
And yet, the Subway Series definitely didn’t disappoint in delivering the drama fans craved for. The Yankees really made a statement with their win, which got the Bronx supporters cheering loudly in excitement. Soto’s friendly pregame interactions were soon overshadowed by the atmosphere created by the crowd. When everything calmed down after the game, the Yankees emerged victorious.
In the end, Aaron Judge solidified his position not only as the team captain but also as a reliable leader for a squad that has progressed, focused, and finds inspiration in moments similar to this one.
The post “Love It When I Have That Guy”- Aaron Judge Reveals His Honest Feelings About Yankees’ Evolution After Juan Soto appeared first on EssentiallySports.