Aaron Judge Was Robbed in Tampa, and the Yankees Know It

Without the foul pole at that level, it was hard to judge. Third-base umpire Scott Barry called it a foul ball. A video review could not over turn it.

“It was a fair ball,” Judge said, measured but firm.

On the very next pitch, Judge took a borderline slider on the outside corner for strike three. That’s when Aaron Boone lost it—again. The Yankees manager stormed the field, arguing the zone with home plate umpire Adam Beck before turning his attention Barry, who made the original foul call.

Boone got his money’s worth before getting tossed. But what he really wanted was justice on a missed call that could have major consequences.

“The audacity of the call standing is remarkable,” Boone said afterward. “It’s a home run. It didn’t go our way.”

That might be an understatement.

Judge was denied what would have been his ninth home run of the season. And in a year when the Yankees slugger looks as locked in as ever, that one swing might carry weight deep into the summer.

If Judge challenges his own American League record of 62 and ends up falling just short, it won’t be forgotten. Not by the fans and probably not by Judge. 

The Yankees will have no one to blame but themselves. Afterall, they are the landlords of George M. Steinbrenner Field and they put in the foul pole that caused the distortion.