“I’m glad [Judge] made the right decision,” Darryl Strawberry commends Aaron Judge for choosing the Yankees over West Coast teams

Darryl Strawberry commends Aaron Judge for remaining back with the New York Yankees in a massive contract renewal worth $360 million


“I’m glad [Judge] made the right decision,” Darryl Strawberry commends Aaron Judge for choosing the Yankees over West Coast teams

[Credits: ESPN]

Aaron Judge recently became one of the central figures in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) history with his $360 million contract with New York Yankees. This has made him the most valuable player in the league, a milestone he will cherish for the remainder of his career. As his previous contract was almost ending, this new one would see him stay for nine more years in New York.

ADVERTISEMENT

The California native grew up being a San Francisco Giants fan. However, this makes him a rare player to choose one of the East Coast teams over the West Coast ones in California. Judge, who will turn 32 this April, had bet on himself to gain an additional $146 million to the previously offered $215 million alongside two extra years in his contract.

Another fellow Californian native and former MLB player Darryl Strawberry had also taken a path similar to that of Judge. Strawberry started his MLB career with the New York Mets while also having a few stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Giants. He played the final years of his career with the Yankees, walking off as a legend for the Mets and all the other franchises.

Speaking of Judge’s massive contract renewal terms with the Yankees, Darryl praises the outfielder for staying in New York. He commends Aaron for not choosing any West Coast teams and staying back with the team he began his MLB career with.

ADVERTISEMENT

Strawberry, speaking at a ‘Pinstripe Pride’ event in New Jersey, says, “I’m glad [Judge] made the right decision,” Strawberry said Sunday at “Pinstripe Pride.” Regretting his decision to go back to the west Coast, the former Mets man further adds, “You just don’t leave New York. It’s the greatest place to play.”

Related: Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger accused of domestic violence, MLB pursues investigation

Former Mets and Yankees player Darryl Strawberry commended Aaron Judge’s decision to stay in New York

Aaron Judge [Credits: Sportico]

Both Aaron Judge and Darryl Strawberry are residents of California. However, Darryl’s career had taken a much different turn than what Judge is doing right now. After spending six strong years with 37 home runs and 108 RBIs, Strawberry moved to Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers, he spent a solid one season before his career hitting major setbacks, from colon cancer diagnosis and drug addiction.

Judge, on the other hand, was one of the biggest priorities for the Giants to capture in this open market post-season. The Padres were also bidding to grab the 62-hit slugger from the Yankees. However, it seems like Aaron would choose the club that nurtured and made him into the player he is today.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking about the advantage of playing in New York, Strawberry adds, “The difference in playing in New York is just the fans. They have great knowledge about the game. So they are going to let you know that you suck. That’s something you have to learn how to deal with…They made me a tremendous player because of that.”

Elaborating further on the fan behaviors or booing on such high grounds, Strawberry assured that such things are not always to be taken negatively. He says, Being booed is not a bad thing. Everyone makes it out like its a bad thing. Some player can’t take it.”

Strawberry, who will be turning 61 in March, says that the achievements and trophies that players win in any club stay on forever. Aaron Judge is definitely one of the biggest talents in current baseball right now and he very well deserves everything good that is coming his way.

In case you missed it:

ADVERTISEMENT

Vanessa Hudgens and Rockies’ Cole Tucker Announce Engagement After Dating for 2 Years

Alex Rodriguez Reveals the Book That Changed His Financial Life: “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki