ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has never been afraid to deliver hot takes and controversial opinions, but there’s no doubt he’d like a mulligan on his embarrassing blunder while discussing Aaron Judge’s incredible 2024 season during Wednesday’s edition of “First Take.”
During the show, Smith debated if New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is having a better season than Los Angeles Dodgers two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. Judge and Ohtani are the overwhelming favorites to win 2024 AL MVP and NL MVP honors, respectively.
Smith tried arguing that Judge’s MVP-caliber season isn’t all that special because opposing pitchers must throw to Juan Soto after Judge bats. The only issue with that take is that Soto has primarily batted AHEAD of Judge in the No. 2 spot, with No. 99 usually in the No. 3 hole:
So as you’d expect, fans were ready to tee off on Mr. Smith for his embarrassing and inaccurate take:
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The thing is, Smith had the right idea by citing Soto’s hand in helping Aaron Judge put together monster stats. Soto is having an excellent season himself, with a .294 batting average, 1.019 OPS, 7.4 WAR, 37 homers, 94 RBI and 109 walks.
Without Soto, Judge doesn’t have 51 homers or 122 RBI. But Smith at least has to get the facts right before he tries to rain on the parade, which is Aaron Judge’s jaw-dropping 2024 season.
Aaron Judge Is Running Away With The AL MVP
Judge has overcome a slow start to put together another historic season across the board, with a .333 batting average, 1.197 OPS, 9.7 WAR and 108 walks to go along with his 51 homers and 122 RBI.
And if Smith wants to argue Ohtani has had a better season, it’s fair game. But he should remember that he has to other former MVP winners and future Hall of Famers in Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts to help him in the Dodgers’ lineup.
