Staten Island Little League coach Bob Laterza sharply criticized New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge after Sunday’s Little League Classic.
On Tuesday, the Yankees responded.
The drama stems from New York’s Little League Classic game against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which is the equivalent of the Little League World Series. A capacity crowd of about 2,500 fans, mostly Little Leaguers, their coaches and their families, showed up to watch the Tigers’ 3-2 victory over the Yankees at historic Bowman Field.
Among the fans in attendance was Laterza, who was there with his South Shore Little League team from the Staten Island borough of New York. His team sat in the on-deck circle along the third-base line during the game.
When Judge took the on-deck circle, Laterza wasn’t happy with the way Judge was treating his players — or wasn’t. He voiced his displeasure to Staten Island’s SIlive.com in a complaint stating that his Little League players pay Judge his $40 million annual salary.
“How about turning around and waving to New York and the kids who think you’re a hero?” Laterza said. “They’re the ones who pay your salary.
“They were disappointed. Maybe he wants to make it up to them and come and see them.”
On Tuesday night, the Yankees, who pay Judge’s salary, issued a response.
“Win or lose, we plan to invite them to Yankee Stadium,” the team said in a statement. “However, it would have been much better if Staten Island’s coach had called us to understand the facts before reacting so bitterly in such a public manner. Contacting us would have been the wisest course of action and would have set a good example for his young players. Aaron Judge always conducts himself with kindness and respect.
“The coach can learn a lot from him.”
Judge signed autographs and took selfies with Little Leaguers
Judge was indeed friendly and respectful during the festivities surrounding Sunday’s Little League Classic. According to the Associated Press, Judge signed autographs, posed for selfies and chatted with Little League players in attendance “from the time he stepped off the plane until his final at-bat.”
He also traded gear with Little League players and wore a Little League cap at his post-game press conference.
“They make me feel like I’m in the Beatles,” Judge told reporters.
Laterza and his team, meanwhile, were treated to several meet-and-greets with Yankees players, including visits with Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, DJ LeMahieu, Nestor Cortes, Jasson Domínguez and manager Aaron Boone, according to SIlive.com.
The Yankees shared a video of Cole talking to South Shore players and signing autographs.
But Judge wasn’t at a meet-and-greet and apparently didn’t interact with players in the stands as he warmed up in the on-deck circle. And for that, Laterza was incensed.
Laterza has not yet publicly commented on the Yankees’ statement.
