Hal Steinbrenner takes not-so-subtle shot at Aaron Judge's injury handling during Yankees post-mortem

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman held a joint, end-of-season press conference on Wednesday (via Zoom), and both men came out swinging in their own way.

Cashman took the opportunity to announce that he's signed a new contract with the Yankees. Meanwhile, an assertive Steinbrenner made positive comments about Yankees manager Aaron Boone while simultaneously blaming the season's outcome on the players alone. Perhaps juiciest of all, part of Steinbrenner's message was a thinly veiled dig at Aaron Judge!

Hal Steinbrenner just criticized Aaron Judge during Yankees' end-of-season presser

Responding to a question about Judge's sort-of controversial interview following the season (in which Judge called for the Yankees front office to go "all-in"), Steinbrenner deftly proclaimed that he wasn't bothered by Judge's remarks, that he didn't watch the full interview, and that Judge is totally entitled to have expectations of the front office.

But that's where Steinbrenner skillfully turned the corner to deliver his real message. In bringing up "expectations" as a concept, Steinbrenner then brought up the expectations that he has for his players: "I expect them to obey the rules, work hard, listen to their coaches, trainers, strength guys."

It sure seemed like a direct reference to Judge's attitude and remarks about his injury during the playoffs. Judge, who was kept out of the postseason, made comments suggesting that he could've played if not held back by Yankees decision-makers (see: Cashman and Boone). He painted a picture of a player at odds with the organization about his injury status and availability. Steinbrenner, we can be reasonably certain, didn't appreciate Judge's remarks.

Steinbrenner also revealed on Wednesday that he spoke with Judge on Tuesday at length, so it's not like Steinbrenner is calling out Judge publicly without having discussed these things with him behind closed doors first. Valid and respectable.

It's clear that Steinbrenner and Cashman are a united, unbreakable front when it comes to this Judge injury narrative. Cashman said days ago that Judge was simply physically unable to play in the postseason (remarks that Judge made sure to subtly push back on in the media). Now, we're seeing Steinbrenner fully back Cashman and the organization for their handling of Judge, while also lightly criticizing Judge for his lack of cooperation.

It's worth noting that Judge may indeed have been too bold with his rehab process. His decision to forgo a full rehab ramp-up has been talked about as a possible contributing factor to his secondary calf injury that kept him out of the playoffs.

From my viewpoint, Steinbrenner said what an owner in his position should say here. He backed the GM and manager whom he's invested in moving forward, and he sent a message to his star player that no one is above the law of the organization. Steinbrenner is far from flawless as the leader of the Yankees, but his take on this Judge situation/tension was sound, and it may even have relieved that tension by putting it to bed in a way that only an owner could.

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