The most beloved player in pinstripes understands what it means to be a Yankee.
The reality becomes clearer to Aaron Judge each year, with the team now 10 years removed from its most recent World Series title, marking the third-longest title drought ever for the 27-time champions.
“Any year you’re not the last man standing, the season is a fail,” Judge said Thursday. “It doesn’t matter how many games you win in the postseason. You can win every single game in the regular season, but if you lose in the postseason, it doesn’t matter.”
As Judge prepared for his third postseason — beginning Friday against the Twins in Game 1 of the ALDS — the face of the franchise reflected on the past two Octobers, which opened with similar optimism.