It is not often that you would see a reigning MVP get clowned and roasted on live television. But this is exactly what happened when Aaron Judge’s home run and power became a matter of punchlines. A’s broadcaster downplayed Judge’s saying, “And remember, Aaron Judge is dumping baseballs into that crackerjack box out on the East Coast.” Braden jabbed hard on the Yankee Stadium’s short field porch.

Braden was suggesting that Judge’s home runs are nothing compared to those of hitters who are slugging in deeper parks. But the irony is that the Yankee Stadium dimensions are nearly as identical as Shutter Park. Their left field is 330 feet, center field is 403 feet, and right field is 325 feet. Meanwhile, Yankee Stadium dimensions are 318 feet to left field, 408 feet to center, and 314 feet to right field.

For now, Braden’s shot felt designed to boost rookie Nick Kurtz, who has been a third choice for the MVP race with Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. But while one broadcaster is taking digs at Judge, there is Mookie Betts, who is giving a completely different message. One that might actually shake up the MVP conversation.

Mookie Betts was recently asked to weigh in on the MVP race between Judge and Cal Raleigh, and he said, “Cal does so much at handling that pitching staff….he is doing it on both sides of the ball. Handling the pitching staff and carrying the offense. That’s a lot, you can’t even place a value on that. And what Judge brings to the Yankees man, you can’t explain it just because it’s not just on the field for him, he is a captain off the field as well…. He has so much love and respect for those guys…they show up every day, and he gets them going… I am not here to divide one way or the other; it’s really how you see it.” The host, who may have had a different predisposition too, couldn’t help but admit that Betts opened his eyes to Judge and his value.

The host mentioned, “You opened my eyes to something I didn’t think about, that leadership and Aaron Judge have to carry, that the rest of his teammates are not carrying as Judge. That leadership is valuable.” And that is the thing about Aaron Judge—he is the leader of the Yanks. You’d notice that anytime he gets injured, he isn’t there to man the guys out there—the team does falter. His slump last season was the prime example—the entire team was not performing.

Moreover, as far as the MVP race goes, Aaron Judge just passed Joe DiMaggio on the Yankees’ all-time home run list. He is also leading the AL in WAR, and he is wearing the “C” in possibly one of the rockiest seasons for the Yanks. But there is no doubt that Cal Raleigh is a legit challenger to him.

He is anchoring the pitching staff of the Mariners, and without him, Seattle wouldn’t be in the position of standing first as they are now. But as Betts reminded, Judge’s value is more than just the box score; it’s the way he drags a franchise along with him. And sure, for some, he is dumping baseballs, but maybe the broadcasters, like many, are desensitized to how good Judge really is. The feat he achieved now puts him alongside Barry Bonds!

Aaron Judge is doing what Bonds did — only better

For years now, Barry Bonds has felt like a mountaintop no one could climb. His 2004 season, for example, was just something else. The numbers seemed impossible to catch, and not to mention the controversies surrounding them, too. But in 2025, Aaron Judge is flipping the script and not just chasing Bond’s shadow but making one of his own, free of drama and just simply one of greatness.

Judge’s season has been nothing but historic, even after the flexor injury he had. He has an OPS+ of 200 that puts him in the same slot that Bonds was last to occupy almost two decades ago. What makes it even more remarkable is the context.

He is doing it in today’s super-analyzed game, where the pitchers come armed with the reports, data, and more, leaving little room for error for the hitters.

Plus, his numbers are backing him up big time.

Captain America is leading the AL in home runs while posting a wRC+ of 232, a .500 on-base percentage, and a .725 slugging percentage. And over the past few weeks, he has played against playoff opponents like the Astros, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Tigers, and has collected 14 hits while launching five home runs. So, it’s not like he is winning over the lesser teams, too.

Beyond the box, his WAR and Win Probability Added also show the same thing—when Judge plays, he changes the outcome of the game.

And this is where the Bonds comparison gets real.

Barry Bonds is remembered for his 73 home runs in 2001 and his Superman-like production, but also due to the doubts. Judge’s story is way different, because his legacy is built on his consistency and his leadership, all while being clean. For the Yanks, he is the guy the teammates look up to. And truly, it won’t be wrong to say Judge might be the true heir to Bond’s throne.