The baseball world is still buzzing about the controversial slide that helped fuel a Yankees blowout win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ towering captain, claims the raised hand that deflected the throw was purely an instinctive move, but his post-game comments reveal the frightening risk he took.

“That’s never happened before in my life,” Judge told reporters after the game. “I’ve been sliding like that for years. I was more concerned about how [Willy] Adames has a great arm. I thought I broke my finger there. There was no concern on my part [about interference]. I’ve been doing that for years.”

Aaron Judge’s nonchalance might ring hollow for fans who gasped when the ball ricocheted directly off his upraised hand. Was the star outfielder’s attitude at the heat of the moment just bravado, or did he truly underestimate the inherent risks of his maneuver? The play itself sparked immediate debate. Alex Verdugo hit a routine grounder that should have been a double play. As Brewers shortstop Willy Adames relayed the throw, Judge’s raised left hand, protected by his sliding mitt, deflected the ball, allowing Verdugo to reach first safely. 

The Bombers went on to score seven runs in the inning. Umpires initially ruled the slide legal, but crew chief Andy Fletcher later admitted the call was missed. “It should’ve been called interference because it wasn’t a natural part of his slide,” Fletcher conceded. Brewers manager Pat Murphy was less diplomatic: “I think he was trying to purposely obstruct. It’s my opinion.”

Opinions aside, Judge’s slide was certainly unorthodox and arguably reckless. Even if unintentional, the upraised hand created an obstacle in the direct line of the throw. And as the All-Rise himself admits, the force of Adames’ throw could have easily resulted in a serious injury. Judge may have avoided a broken finger this time, but the incident reignites questions about baserunner interference and player safety. Should more stringent rules be in place to protect fielders? Is it time for runners like him to re-evaluate their sliding technique?

The Aaron Judge Fallout: Brewers’ frustration and a blown call

The ramifications of the missed call were significant. Instead of ending the inning and leaving the game tied, the Yankees launched a seven-run offensive explosion. “After you see the result of the game, that means that changed the whole game,” Adames said postgame.

Brewers’ frustration was compounded by the umpires’ admission that they blew the call. “They admitted they messed up. We mess up sometimes. That’s how it goes. They miss a call. We make a bad throw and we take the blame for the L,” Adames said, managing a touch of dark humor in the face of defeat.

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Despite the controversy, the Brewers still had chances to limit the damage. “They made the call they thought was right,” Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe said. “I had an opportunity to get out of the inning and didn’t do that. I just have to move forward.”

These are the kinds of questions baseball will have to grapple with in the wake of this controversy. After all, Aaron Judge’s reputation for power hitting is well established. Adding “high-risk slider” to his skillset might thrill fans, but it’s a move that could have far-reaching (and painful) consequences.