Yankees Broadcaster Sparks Outrage: Claims Aaron Judge is Better Than Shohei Ohtani
If you ever want to start a full-blown war in a baseball bar, just mention the names Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in the same breath. That’s exactly what New York Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay did when he boldly declared that Judge is superior to Ohtani—causing fans across the MLB spectrum to collectively lose their minds.
Kay, known for his passionate and often fiery takes, slammed MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Right Now list for ranking Ohtani at No. 1. In his words, Judge deserved the top spot. But does he have a point, or is this just another case of New York sports media bias?
Ohtani: The Freakish Unicorn of Baseball
Let’s start with the obvious: Shohei Ohtani is a baseball anomaly. The 29-year-old Japanese phenom won his third MVP award in 2024—his first in the National League after switching to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made history by becoming the first player to hit over 50 home runs and steal 50 or more bases in a single season. Oh, and let’s not forget that he’s an elite pitcher with a career 3.01 ERA—when healthy, of course.
Ohtani sat out the 2024 season from pitching duties while recovering from UCL surgery, but he’s expected to return to the mound in 2025. That means he could be an elite hitter and an elite pitcher again—something no other player in MLB history has ever accomplished at this level.
Yet, Kay refuses to accept this reality.
Michael Kay’s Argument: Judge Over Ohtani?
“You tell me … how is Ohtani better than Judge?” Kay ranted on his show. “On what planet can you say that Ohtani is better than Judge? I don’t understand it.”
His main argument? Ohtani hasn’t pitched in 18 months. Therefore, his ranking as MLB’s best player is based on projection rather than proven results. But is that really a fair critique?
Kay also pointed out that Judge had a higher WAR, more home runs, and more RBIs in 2024, making him the superior offensive force. That’s valid—except Ohtani was still an elite hitter while also stealing bases and adding defensive versatility.
Judge’s Case: The Pure Hitter, The Yankees’ King
To give credit where it’s due, Aaron Judge is a hitting machine. The 6-foot-7 powerhouse is one of the most dominant sluggers of his era. He has six All-Star appearances, two MVPs, and that magical 62-homer season in 2022 that broke Roger Maris’ American League record.
In 2024, Judge led Ohtani in home runs, WAR, and RBIs. He’s also played his entire career under the relentless New York spotlight, where every at-bat feels like a referendum on his greatness.
But here’s the catch: Judge isn’t a two-way player. He isn’t a baserunning threat. He isn’t going to toe the rubber in Game 7 of a playoff series and mow down batters with 100 mph heat. Ohtani does things that shouldn’t even be possible in today’s MLB. That’s why he’s ranked No. 1.
The Postseason Factor: Rings Speak Louder Than Words
If Kay really wants to debate greatness, let’s talk postseason performance. Judge has been an October ghost, batting .184 in the playoffs. Ohtani? He wasn’t spectacular in the 2024 postseason (.230 BA), but he did something Judge hasn’t—won a World Series.
That alone gives Ohtani a trump card in any “who’s better” discussion.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Debate Is Absurd (But Fun!)
Comparing Judge and Ohtani is like arguing whether a Ferrari is better than a private jet. They’re both elite in their own right, but one does things that the other simply cannot.
If Judge played in any other era, he’d probably be the undisputed best player in baseball. But unfortunately for him, he’s playing in the Ohtani era—where one guy dominates from both sides of the game.
So, is Aaron Judge better than Shohei Ohtani? No. But is this a debate worth having? Absolutely. Because what’s sports without a little controversy?
Final Thought: Is Kay Serious, or Just Stirring the Pot?
At the end of the day, Michael Kay is a broadcaster. His job isn’t just to analyze; it’s to entertain. And if there’s one thing sports fans love, it’s a hot take that gets people talking. Maybe Kay truly believes Judge is better than Ohtani—or maybe he’s just feeding the Yankees fanbase exactly what they want to hear.
Either way, this debate isn’t going away anytime soon. So grab your popcorn, because the battle between Judge and Ohtani isn’t just happening on the field—it’s happening in the headlines, the sports bars, and the endless Twitter wars of baseball fans everywhere.
Hot Take Alert: Do You Agree with Michael Kay?
Yankees fans, do you stand with Kay? Is Judge the real MVP? Or is this just delusional New York bias? Dodgers fans, does Ohtani’s greatness speak for itself? Drop your takes in the comments—this debate is far from over!
