The New York Yankees and the coach of a Little League World Series team from Staten Island have engaged in a rather public spat ... over Aaron Judge.
Yes, it sounds crazy, but the Yankees on Tuesday felt compelled to release a relatively scathing statement in response to criticism from Bob Laterza, a coach for the South Shore Little League team that is representing New York in Williamsport, Pa.
Laterza took issue with Judge's interaction, or lack thereof, with his team at the Little League Classic game Sunday night between the Yankees and Detroit Tigers.
"How about turning around or wave to New York and the kids that think you're a hero?" Laterza quipped after the game, according to SILive.com. "They are the ones who pay your salary. They're disappointed. Maybe he'll want to make up for it and come and see them."
Laterza's gripes apparently stem from Judge's unwillingness to acknowledge the kids during Sunday night's game in Williamsport where the players from the Little League World Series are treated to a big league game, even though a handful of Yankees met with the team before the game.
However, Laterza might have bitten off more than he could chew with his complaints. The Yankees felt the need to defend Judge, their best player, and they did it with their chests.
"We wish Staten Island success in winning the championship," the Bronx Bombers said in a statement, per ESPN.com. "Win or lose, we intend to invite them to Yankee Stadium. However, it would have been much better if Staten Island's Coach called us to understand the facts before bitterly reacting in such a public fashion. Reaching out to us would have been the prudent way to act and would have set a fine example for his young players."
The Yankees also praised Judge for always acting "with kindness and respect," adding "The coach could learn a lot from him."
Judge essentially took the high road, saying he had "no response," instead insisting the attention should remain on the kids.
Sheesh.
State Island's Williamsport run came to an end Tuesday in an elimination bracket loss to the Lake Mary (Florida) team representing the Southeast region.
That means it's time to get that trip to the Bronx on the books, and that could make for a potentially uncomfortable interaction or two.
