Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt has addressed the controversy surrounding New York Yankees star Aaron Judge when the slugger looked to the dugout before hitting a home run in one of his games earlier in this month.
Judge was charged with cheating, but claimed he heard boos from the dugout during the sequence against Blue Jays pitcher Jay Jackson. It was later believed that Jackson was tipping, and Judge let him know in real time. Jackson admitted that he was tipping pitches during the game.
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Chris Bassitt, #40 of the Toronto Blue Jays, throws a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Center on May 12, 2023 in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Bassitt appeared on the Chris Rose podcast on Monday and addressed the drama.
«Yes, we knew what was going on. So, I’ll say this about the whole situation. They knew we were tipping and they were relaying tips. Is that illegal? No, it’s not illegal,» he said. «Are you kind of in that gray area, okay, if the first base and third base coaches have to relay advice, it’s that kind of gray area where it’s like the first and third base coaches are allowed that to do? You can argue that back and forth all you want.»
Judge claimed at the time that he was upset with the «squeak» on the bench after manager Aaron Boone was already thrown out.
«I don’t see why it’s a story to be honest,» Judge told the New York Daily News.
Aaron Judge, number 99 of the New York Yankees, watches from the sidelines during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on May 25, 2023 in Bronx, New York. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
METS’ PETE ALONSO SAYS HE HIT A HOME RUN BECAUSE HE HAD TO DESPERATELY USE THE BATHROOM
Bassitt said he did not believe Judge’s story.
«The judge’s response? I didn’t have a problem with that. Was that a lie? Yeah, it was a lie… What do you want me to do? Come out and say, ‘Hey, all your pitchers were tipping and I’m going to tell them how they’re tipping. I just think he made up a story just to basically say I’m not going to tell them they’re tipping. Like, why would he say that?
As of Tuesday morning, Toronto is 28-26 on the season. New York is 33-23.
Chris Bassitt, #40 of the Toronto Blue Jays, looks on after pitching against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on May 27, 2023 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)
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The two teams do not play again until September.