BALTIMORE -- Aaron Judge’s statistics already seem larger than life, and now the Yankees’ captain is getting the full treatment as an anime hero.
Judge is the latest player to be spotlighted in Major League Baseball’s anime-inspired “Heroes of the Game” series, which debuted ahead of Opening Day and is part of the league’s “Baseball is Something Else” brand campaign.
Previous stars to be featured have included the Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez (April 13) and the Pirates’ Paul Skenes (April 25).
Now it’s Judge’s turn, one night after he hit his ninth home run of the season in a 15-3 rout of the Orioles at Camden Yards.
“They got the batting gloves right,” Judge said on Wednesday, watching the video on a reporter’s iPhone. “It’s cool. They did a good job.”
As the “Heroes” spot intones, Judge has been on a mission this season. The American League’s reigning Most Valuable Player entered play Wednesday with a .412/.507/.728 slash line, clubbing seven doubles and a triple while collecting 29 RBIs.
Judge paces the Majors in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits (47) and total bases (83).
“I think he’s continuing to become a better hitter,” said manager Aaron Boone. “And when I say this, I’m not being cute or funny -- honestly, I don’t think he’s really been that hot yet. He’s getting his hits, and I think it’s a credit to just how great he is. When he gets really going and starts hitting balls in the seats routinely, buckle up.
“Every year, he’s just always wanting to get a little bit better.”
While this marks Judge’s introduction to anime, with the hero spots set to be used throughout the season in response to on-field actions, it’s not the first time his likeness has been animated.
Last season, Judge joined the PAW Patrol spinoff series “Rubble and Crew” for a guest appearance, during which he participated in -- appropriately enough -- a home run hitting competition.
“It’s just a way of growing the game,” Judge said of the "Heroes" spot. “Any way you can get outreach and get another set of eyes to watch this game, I think that’s pretty special. I think it’ll be cool for my daughter to see someday.”