The highly anticipated series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium featured plenty of stars and highlight-reel plays, with the most memorable moment coming when Aaron Judge robbed J.D. Martinez with a spectacular running catch in deep right field.
Judge’s momentum carried him into the bullpen gate, which busted open with the impact. The 2022 American League MVP briefly limped and grimaced after throwing the ball back into the infield, but remained in the game.
However, Judge did not play in the series finale and has since been placed on the 10-day injured list with a bruise and strain of a ligament in his right big toe.
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said the team is going to reinforce the Dodger Stadium fence by adding a strip of padding on the concrete portion where Judge injured his toe, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
“He didn’t go through the door, which is what I thought when I was watching the game,” Kasten said. “Then I got out there and realized the door doesn’t open in that direction.
“He actually broke through where some of the panels were joined, the barrier between the two connecting panels. Which is unbelievable. But we’re going to strengthen that and add a strip of padding on the bottom as well.”
Kasten added the Dodgers also are putting padding on the concrete portion in front of the home bullpen in left field but that the Dodger Stadium fence otherwise is in good standing:
Kasten said the areas in front of the respective bullpens are the only ones in the outfield that require additional protection, and that the Dodgers will add padding to the concrete curb in front of the home bullpen as well.
Judge initially believed he avoided a serious injury after crashing into the fence, but that unfortunately wasn’t the case. “I’m feeling good,” he said after the game.
“I think the fence got most of it. Thankfully, it was that part of the wall where there’s some give, so I think that saved my quite a bit. If it was a solid wall, I think we might be saying a different story. But made the play and we got out of the inning.”
Aaron Judge displeased after catch
While Judge was able to rob Martinez of a hit, his momentum caused him to technically leave the field of play, which resulted in Max Muncy being awarded second base. “I wasn’t too happy with Muncy getting second base there,” Judge admitted.
“I felt like I tumbled over and went out of play because the fence broke. I would’ve had an issue with that if they would’ve scored.”
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