Photo by Scott Clarke / ESPN Images(NEW YORK) — After winning the Home Run Derby at least year’s MLB All Star Weekend, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge says he doesn’t think he’ll compete in the event again.
“One and done, Home Run Derby champion,” Judge said to reporters on Thursday. “It was a cool experience. I enjoyed it all, but I don’t think I really need to go out there and do it again.”
Judge burst into the spotlight last year, winning the American League Rookie of the Year award and leading the AL in home runs.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reportedly shrugged off Judge’s comments, telling reporters “my job is to get as many Home Run Derby candidates as I can find. How it plays out after that…”
Judge slumped somewhat after the Home Run Derby, hitting .185 in August with just three home runs. He eventually re-discovered his swing, hitting .311 with 15 home runs over the season’s final five weeks.
But Judge says the fear of a slump isn’t what prompted his decision. “That’s the least of my concerns,” he said. “I know everyone always talks about [how] the Derby will do that, but it didn’t have that effect on me.”
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