Yankees overcame tough times to get to this World Series moment Aaron Judg

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CLEVELAND  Even as beer dripped down his back and he wiped champagne out of his eyes, Aaron Judge had not forgotten the motivating heartbreak that he experienced seven years Dj Lemahieu Jersey  ago.  Falling one win short of reaching the World Series as a rookie in 2017 still was on his mind in the hour after the Saturday night in Game 5 of the ALCS to get their captain to his long-awaited first World Series.  Even as sweet as this is, its still with me, Judge said. But were going to enjoy this.  Aaron Judge celebrates on the field after the Yankees 5-2 ALCS-clinching win over the Guardians in Game 5 on Oct. 19, 2024.  Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post  After a 58-homer regular season, Judge has taken a backseat in the playoffs to Giancarlo Stanton, who hit four home runs en route to ALCS MVP, and Juan Soto, whose tiebreaking three-run 10th-inning home run all but clinched the Yankees first pennant since 2009.  You win with good people and good players, Judge said. Thats what it comes down to. You can have different formulas and different ideas  but we knew it was something special.  Explore More  Judge went 3-for-18 (.167) in the series and 0-for-4 in the clincher.  He continues to strike out at a rate incongruent with his regular-season numbers and is one of the highest in postseason history.  The soon-to-be two-time American League MVPs one would-be signature moment  an eighth-inning game-tying home run off closer Emmanuel Clase in Game 3  .  None of that was on his mind as he held the American League championship trophy that eluded the Yankees in past postseason failures.  Aaron Judge celebrates with the Yankees fans after their ALCS-clinching win over the Guardians.  Jason Szenes / New York Post  Worse yet, the Yankees mi sed the playoffs completely last season.  I dont know how to describe it. Its just so special, Judge said. You just look back at all the hard work and guys showing up in [spring training] after a disappointing season last season. Thats the first thing I thought of. Thats what I go back to.  Of course, Yankees teams  and captains  are judged on more than just American League championships.  The Yankees have four more games to win against either the Mets or Dodgers.  Follow The Posts coverage of the Yankees in the postseason:  We didnt come here for this, Judge said. We came here for the ultimate prize.  It seemed only fitting to Judge that the Yankees took a hard road to the World Series.  Sure, a 4-1 series doesnt sound that difficult, but the three games played at Progre sive Field all were decided in the winning teams final at-bat.  You make friends in good times, but adversity builds a family, Judge said. It builds a trust that were going to have each others backs in good times and bad. Thats what we went through [in 2024]. I know we won our division, but we went through some tough times and had to answer some tough questions. Those tough times build moments like this.  Jackson Castillo Jersey
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