YANKEES

As Aaron Judge reminds the Red Sox, the series has switched to 'New York, New York'

Pete Caldera
MLB Writer
Oct 6, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a single during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox in game two of the 2018 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park.

NEW YORK – There was no mistaking the message, delivered by Aaron Judge through his personal sound system.

As the Yankees’ slugger strolled toward the team bus late Saturday night, his path took him right past the Red Sox clubhouse door at Fenway Park - while blasting Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ from a portable boom box.

Just a subtle reminder to anyone in earshot that it’s autumn in New York.

“There’s nothing like it,’’ Judge said a few minutes earlier, after the Yankees’ 6-2 victory evened the best-of-five AL Division Series at a game apiece.

Games 3 and 4 will be at Yankee Stadium, where the Yanks have won their last seven straight postseason games.

“I’ve never been a part of an atmosphere like that, the way the fans (are) out there on the field with you,’’ Judge said of the Yanks’ 6-0 home record last October. “Every single pitch, they’re locked in. It’s electric. I’ve tried to describe it, but I still can’t.’’

And on the eve of Monday night’s Game 3, the Yankees danced around the idea that Judge’s blaring musical choice – and the location of his sound system – was a jab at the Sox.

“It’s a good song. And Aaron, he’s one of our resident deejays,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, smiling. “We like to hear that song sometimes when we win a big game.’’

Boone had seen the viral video of Judge’s musical stroll on social media and thought it was fun.

“It’s something to talk about,’’ Boone said. “I think it’s just good-natured, whatever.’’

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone answers questions during a news conference, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in New York. The Yankees will play against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the AL Division Series on Monday. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

New York, New York

There might have been a greater meaning behind Judge’s ‘New York, New York’ postgame parade, “but I doubt it,’’ said Red Sox manager Alex Cora, noting there’s no showmanship with Judge on the field.

“When he hits the ball out of the ballpark, he sits down and runs,’’ said Cora, and Judge has connected in all three Yankee postseason games so far, starting with the AL wild card.

The Yanks went 53-28 at home this season, winning six of nine games against Boston in the Bronx.

But home or away after any Yankees win, shortstop Didi Gregorius takes to Twitter, beginning every victory recap with, ‘Start spreading the news,’’ the opening lyric of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical ode to New York.

“I don’t know (if there was a) message,’’ Gregorius said of Judge’s stroll, which he did not witness. “He went on the first bus. I was on the second bus.

“The rivalry is always there, so it’s always good to have a little bit of fun with it, I guess.’’

And that’s how Boone viewed it, not caring if a Red Sox blared ‘Sweet Caroline’ by his clubhouse.

“I like that song, too, actually,’’ Boone said. Both clubs “have a lot of respect for each other, and I’ll just kind of leave it at that.’’

Welcome to the Bronx

More directly, the 108-win Red Sox will be confronted by an insanely-loud crowd and a starter in Luis Severino, who went 10-2 with a 2.74 ERA in 15 Yankee Stadium starts this season.

“Maybe my wife cooks better food here, I don’t know,’’ Severino said of his Bronx success. “I think it’s just a feeling like, I’m home.’’

As a native New Yorker, reliever Dellin Betances – who used to root for the Derek Jeter-era Yankees at the old Stadium – has a deep understanding of the pinstriped fans’ passion.

“The support we’ve gotten from our fans has been tremendous,’’ Betances said.

“Playing in New York in the postseason the last couple of years has been unbelievable and this is going to be even crazier now that we’re playing (against) Boston.’’

As a “huge lift’’ for the home team, outfielder Aaron Hicks believes that constant Stadium soundwave is a burden for Boston.

“I hear guys all the time say how hard it is to play here,’’ Hicks said of Yankees opponents. And that energy emanating from the stands “just helps us play better.’’

More Yankees news

 

More:Gary Sanchez hits two homers, Yankees KO David Price again, tying ALDS vs. Red Sox

More:Yankees' Aaron Hicks should return to lineup for ALDS Game 3 after after hamstring scare

More:Giancarlo Stanton wanted to experience a Yankees October, now he needs to come through