New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has been one of the top stories of the 2017 MLB season. He won the Home Run Derby and has spent much of the year launching titanic home runs. That’s something Reggie Jackson is familiar with.
TMZ cameras caught Jackson and asked him for an opinion on Judge. Mr. October was effusive in his praise, calling Judge “spectacular” and noting that he’s a “great guy, with great character, great parents, and in a great organization.”
At that point, Jackson shifted to a slightly more cautionary tone, noting that Judge is still new to MLB.
“You’ve got to stay healthy, you got to stay away from the ups and downs, you’ve got to adjust, you’ve got to learn…one half season doesn’t make a great player. But the signs are fantastic.” Jackson said. “Everybody has to adjust. The pitchers are adjusting to him now and when they make a little adjustment to him, then he has to learn to adjust to them to get it figured out. Being a great hitter, you’re always trying to figure out what they’re trying to do to you. Once you get figured out, the great ones stick and he’s in that mold.”
Indeed, it’s hard to argue with that. We’ve already seen pitchers make those adjustments, sending Judge into a mini slump. He’s also shown signs of adjusting back and coming out of the slump.
The reporter also asked Jackson if he felt that Judge was maybe experiencing too much early success. Jackson’s answer took an odd, but funny tone that’s ultimately hard to dispute.
“You can never have too much sex too early,” Jackson said before correcting himself. “Never too much success too early. Sex, either.”
Well, there you have it. Mr. October has all of the answers.