Book Summary62, by Bryan Hoch

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Judge's Background, Development, and Rise With Yankees

This section explores Aaron Judge's journey from a kid in a small California town to becoming a superstar for the Yankees. Hoch highlights Judge's exceptional athletic abilities, his dedication to improvement, and the influences that shaped his leadership style.

Early Life: From Linden, California, to Fresno State

This subsection delves into Judge's early life, showcasing his early dominance in sports and the importance he placed on education.

Dominating Youth Baseball, Linden High School Sports, and Prioritizing Education

Aaron Judge demonstrated immense athletic potential early. Hoch describes how, as a young baseball player, the kids playing T-ball with Judge would scatter in fear at the prospect of facing his powerful drives. This foreshadowed the dominance he'd achieve later on. In high school, Judge excelled in baseball, football, and basketball, setting school records for touchdowns as a receiver and leading the basketball team in points per game.

Despite attracting interest from professional baseball teams, he decided to prioritize his education, following the guidance of his teacher parents. He decided to attend Fresno State University, where he excelled in baseball, continued to hone his athletic abilities, and developed a strong work ethic, a decision that laid the foundation for his future success.

Practical Tips

• Create a 'potential portfolio' for your children or young relatives to encourage their growth. Include photos, awards, and notes on their interests and achievements in various activities. This can serve as a motivational tool and a way to recognize early signs of talent, much like a young athlete's progression might be tracked. It's a tangible way to celebrate their successes and could help them see their own potential.
• Introduce modified equipment for children in sports to help them gradually build skills and confidence. For instance, use lighter or softer balls for batting practice, which can reduce the intimidation factor and allow kids to focus on technique and coordination without the fear of being hurt by a powerful hit. Over time, as their skills improve, you can gradually introduce standard equipment.
• Volunteer to coach or assist in youth sports programs, where you can observe and learn from the variety of skills and talents displayed by young athletes. This hands-on experience can provide insights into how different sports contribute to overall athletic development and may inspire you to adopt a multi-sport approach to your own fitness or skill regimen.
• Engage in friendly competition to elevate your performance. Partner with a friend or colleague who has similar goals and challenge each other to reach new personal bests. If you're both aiming to improve public speaking, you could take turns delivering speeches and provide constructive feedback, with the aim of outdoing each other's last performance in terms of engagement and delivery.
• Use goal-setting apps to establish and monitor personal achievements. Select an app that allows you to set specific goals, such as Duolingo for language learning or Strava for fitness activities. These apps often include features to track your progress over time, providing a visual representation of your improvements and motivating you to strive for higher performance levels.
• Start a blog or podcast to share your journey and expertise in a particular field, which can pique the interest of professionals in that industry. Choose a medium that suits you best, write or talk about your experiences, challenges, and achievements. Consistently produce content and use SEO strategies to improve your online presence, making it easier for scouts or industry professionals to find and follow your work.
• Set up a dedicated learning fund to financially support your educational pursuits. Determine a percentage of your monthly income to set aside specifically for educational expenses, such as courses, books, or seminars. To make this practical, you could open a separate savings account or use a budgeting app to track this fund. This ensures that you always have the resources available to seize learning opportunities as they arise.

Fresno State Transition: Building Skills and Potential

While attending Fresno State, Aaron Judge transitioned from a multi-sport athlete to focusing primarily on baseball. Hoch describes how Judge, initially hesitant to take the outfield, embraced the challenge, trusting his coach's belief in his athleticism. Judge's power was evident even then; in a Cape Cod League showcase at Fenway Park, he impressed scouts with his ability to easily launch balls over the Green Monster.

However, Judge's power hadn't fully translated into game action, partly because he thought the metal bats he used didn't match his swing since they were the wrong weight and length. Despite his size, he also displayed remarkable agility, dominating touch football to the point where his coach had to keep him out, fearing injuries for those trying to keep up. Judge's college years were crucial in refining his skills and preparing him for the next level.

Practical Tips

• Identify your core strengths by experimenting with different activities for a set period. For example, if you're unsure about your main interest or talent, dedicate one month to exploring a new sport, hobby, or skill. Keep a journal to reflect on your experiences, noting which activities you're naturally drawn to and which ones you excel in. This will help you discover your "baseball," much like Aaron Judge found his calling.
• Start a "Yes, And" journal where you record instances where you accept opportunities that initially intimidate you. This practice is derived from improvisational theater, where participants build on each other's ideas. Write down the opportunity, your initial hesitation, and how saying "yes, and" led to a positive outcome.
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62 Summary Judge's Performance in 2022 and Home Run Record Pursuit

This section focuses on Judge's performance in the 2022 season, where he bet on himself by declining a contract extension and embarked on a season-long chase for the American League's home run record for a single season.

Taking a Gamble: Declining Yankees' Offer, Showing Confidence

Hoch paints a picture of the contract negotiations between Aaron Judge and the Yankees during spring 2022, highlighting the high stakes and the impact on Judge's performance. Judge began the season with plans to enter free agency, having declined a Yankees extension proposal of $213.5 million across seven years. This was a gamble, since it represented generational wealth and security. However, Judge had faith in his abilities and felt confident that he would command a larger contract in free agency.

Cashman’s decision to reveal those figures publicly, a rare occurrence in baseball’s secretive world, only added extra pressure, with fans and media closely monitoring Judge’s at-bats. Despite the uncertainty, Judge maintained his composure, remaining focused on his goal of contributing to the team's victories.

Evaluating Financial Implications and Risk of Free Agency to Find True Market...

62 Summary The Weight of Judge's Contract Year in NYC

This section delves into the external pressures Judge faced during his remarkable 2022 campaign, including how contract negotiations and scrutiny affected his performance, and his mental fortitude in overcoming adversity.

External Factors Impacting Judge: Navigating Negotiations, Pressure, and Expectations

Judge's historic season took place in the midst of difficult contract negotiations, increasing the pressure. Hoch describes how, as Judge chased both the record for home runs and a lucrative payday, he was navigating the demanding spotlight of New York, with every at-bat and away-from-the-diamond decision analyzed intensely by fans and media.

His performance suffered at times along the way, especially after Cashman’s controversial decision to reveal the team’s initial contract offer publicly. Judge’s arbitration process also lingered as the season progressed; an episode that, while eventually settled without needing formal proceedings, highlighted the sometimes-uncomfortable business realities in sports.

Yankees' Disclosure of Contract Offer Sparks Tension and Scrutiny

The author dives into the saga of Brian Cashman revealing the specifics of the Yankees' offer...

62 Summary Judge's Influence and Place in Yankees History Compared to Other Greats

This section showcases the magnitude of Judge's 2022 season by drawing comparisons to the legends Ruth and Maris, underscoring the distinction between the steroid era and his "clean" achievements.

Comparisons: Yankees Right Fielders, From Ruth Through Maris, Impacting Record Books

Hoch establishes the historical context of Judge's achievement by linking him to two iconic figures in Yankees history: Roger Maris and Babe Ruth. He details their respective single-season home run chases, noting that all three players covered the same area in right field during vastly different eras.

He emphasizes the parallels between Maris and Judge, especially their humility and focus on team success. During his time as a Yankee, Maris faced harsh headlines and was largely dismissed by traditionalists because he dared to surpass Ruth's revered record with a longer schedule. Judge’s performance, decades on, has helped restore Maris’s reputation.

Judge and Maris: Parallels in Team Success and Humility Over Individual Accolades

The author compares Maris's and Judge's personalities and approaches to the game. Ruth was an outsized figure who relished the media spotlight, a showman who...