NEW YORK -- As he kicked the dirt in the Yankee Stadium batter's box, Aaron Judge looked down at his feet and paused.
An ovation still echoed around the park. The slugger, absent for nearly eight weeks due to a wrist injury, was being celebrated for his return to action. He took an extra beat or two to let the cheers subside.
Before this moment Tuesday night, the last time he'd stood in this spot during a game was a painful one. A 94 mph fastball hit him on the outside of his right wrist, breaking a bone.