NEW YORK — The Yankees have had 15 captains or co-captains in their history, but none since Derek Jeter’s last game in uniform, when the eventual first-round Hall of Famer tilted his cap to say goodbye at the end of 2014 season.
If Aaron Judge returns next season, Nestor Cortes said Saturday, the flying outfielder should join that succession of leaders.
“He meant it all,” Cortes said. “I think I can say that if he’s back here next year he’s our captain; he’s the next captain. We follow everything he does. He leads by example. He’s not really a guy who comes out and yells at anybody. But if he has to, that’s his job. I think he has earned this right to control us.
“What makes him so good, I think, is he’s a great baseball player, but he’s a better human. He treats everyone the same. He follows everyone on a daily basis. This is what allows him to be who he is.
Cortes said he didn’t share those thoughts on the captaincy with manager Aaron Boone or general manager Brian Cashman, but the southpaw – who is due to kick off Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. against the Astros – said that “Most of the guys in this agree with me. He’s the best at doing it.
Judge enjoyed a historic campaign in 2022 that saw him set an American League single-season record by hitting 62 home runs, eclipsing Roger Maris’ total of 61 in 1961.
The AL MVP, Judge, has batted .311/.425/.686 in 157 games, leading the majors in runs (133), home runs (62), RBIs (131), slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS (1,111), OPS+ (211) and total bases (391).
“Just the way we play around him and act around him, he’s just the guy for [the captainship]”, Cortés said. “I feel like we follow in his footsteps every time. Like I said before, he’s the last from the clubhouse on the road, and we’re not leaving until he’s gone. We are just following his deed. We follow everything he does. I think he’s a perfect example for the game of baseball, for kids coming in and learning from the game.
“Sometimes I wonder, ‘How come he has so much time to stop for interviews and signings?’ But he finds a way. That’s what makes it great. »
The Highlanders/Yankees have had 15 captains or co-captains, including Jeter, who served in that role from June 3, 2003 until the end of the 2014 season.
The others: Clark Griffith (1903-05), Norman “Kid” Elberfeld (1906-08), “Wee” Willie Keeler (’09), Hal Chase (1910-11), Frank Chance (’13), Rollie Zeider ( ’13), Roger Peckinpaugh (1914-21), Babe Ruth (’22), Lou Gehrig (1935-39), Thurman Munson (1976-79), Graig Nettles (1982-84), Willie Randolph (1986-88) , Ron Guidry (1986-89) and Don Mattingly (1991-95).
