New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is keeping a level head amid one of the hottest stretches of his decorated career.
"I can't get caught up in what people are saying or what they're not saying. I've got a job to do," he told USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
He added, "There's going to be bumps and bruises, good times and bad times. The most important thing is to stay focused and try to improve a little bit each day."
The bad times for Judge - hitting .178 over the first 27 games of the season - are squarely in the rearview mirror. The red-hot slugger powered the Yankees to a 21-7 record in May with 14 home runs and 27 RBIs.
However, rather than relishing in his individual success, Judge is focused on winning games after the Yankees missed the playoffs in 2023.
"We had a lot of high expectations (for 2024), especially coming off what happened last season. When you wear the pinstripes and play in New York, you're expected to win."
The Yankees are firing on all cylinders and hold an AL-best 40-19 record after Saturday night's win over the San Francisco Giants.
New York's vaunted lineup leads the league in home runs (88) and OPS (.771). Meanwhile, the pitching staff is allowing the fewest runs per game in baseball without 2023 AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone attributes the team's success to a special sense of camaraderie and professionalism.
"We've had some special, talented teams since I've been here," he said. "But the culture in this clubhouse, the way they act, the way they care about each other, this team takes the cake."
Judge and the Yankees will look to stay hot and sweep the Giants in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.
