During the New York Yankees – Toronto Blue Jays game on Monday night, cameras caught reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge glancing at the dugout right before hitting a home run.
That, of course, sparked speculation about potential sign-stealing by the Yankees.
Sportsnet broadcasters Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez noticed it and mentioned it.
It’s possible that pitcher Jay Jackson was tipping his pitches and Judge looked over his dugout to wait for an instruction, but it remains unlikely that after criticizing the Houston Astros so much in recent seasons, the Yankees would use similar tactics.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed he saw it and said the team will gather more information.
“It was kind of odd that a hitter would be looking in that direction. He’s obviously looking in that direction for a reason and we’ll dive into a little bit more tonight and tomorrow. Just make sure that we’re doing everything we can to not make ourselves susceptible to tendencies, or location or pitches or anything like that,” he said according to The Star.
Judge talked after the game and offered his side of things, offering an explanation about why he was looking at the dugout.
“Aaron Judge says he was looking toward the Yankees dugout because he didn’t like how much his teammates were chirping the umpire with a 6-0 lead. ‘I said a couple things to some guys in the dugout and especially after the game. Hopefully it won’t happen again,’” Talkin’ Yanks tweeted with some Judge remarks about what happened on Monday night.
Aaron Judge says he was looking toward the Yankees dugout because he didn’t like how much his teammates were chirping the umpire with a 6-0 lead
“I said a couple things to some guys in the dugout and especially after the game. Hopefully it won’t happen again.” pic.twitter.com/rMJ05Ilp0r
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 16, 2023
Each side has a potential case, but nothing is confirmed as of now.
In any case, MLB approved the use of Pitchcom devices after the Astros fiasco to help pitcher and catcher exchange signs through an earpiece.
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Matt Carpenter Offers High Praise For Aaron Judge
