By Young Se Choi ’18, Sports Editor

On February 6th, 2017, Bleacher Report released an article projecting the final standings of the Major League Baseball (MLB) 2017 season. In the AL East, the New York Yankees were projected to finish second to last finishing with a mediocre record of 81-81. Bleacher Report even predicted that the Yankees would miss the playoffs, which would be the fourth time in the past five seasons.

Now in May, the Yankees have a 21-10 record and are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the best record in the league. But to Bleacher Report’s defense, almost nobody could have predicted this fascinating start, especially with Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorious in and out of the lineup, two of the Yankees’ star players. In fact, the Yankees themselves never predicted this staggering start, either, as Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced last summer that 2017 would be a “rebuilding year” for the Yankees.

So how exactly have the Yankees gone on a hot streak and who’s been providing the offense? The answer is Aaron Judge. The 6’7’’ rookie outfielder out of Fresno State has gone on an astonishing run breaking record after record. By the end of April, Judge finished with a whopping 10 home runs and was named AL Rookie of the Month. On May 2nd, Judge became only the third Yankees player to hit at least 12 home runs in the first 25 games. Finally, on May 3rd, Judge became the youngest player in the history of the sport to hit 13 home runs in the first 26 games of the year, totaling the highest number of home runs in the AL so far in the season. After Derek Jeter’s absence in 2014, there were many question marks surrounding who would be the leader of the New York Yankees and the new superstar player. Now, people are likening rookie Aaron Judge with former captain Derek Jeter. Mark Berger ’17 conveyed his enthusiasm for the rookie stating, “He’s amazing. He’s playing so well and the fact that he’s only a rookie is extraordinary.”

But Judge doesn’t seem to be the only player in pinstripes playing at a high level. Along with Judge, Aaron Hicks and Starlin Castro have unexpectedly emerged to be lethal offensive weapons for the Yankees, both hitting a batting average above .330. As soon as Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorious retain full health, the Yankees will be a force to be reckoned with in the MLB.

I had the chance to talk to more fans about the thrilling season that lies ahead for the Yankees. Lifelong Yankees fan, Brady Sheaffer ’18, expressed his excitement saying, “I’m really looking forward to this season. I don’t think anyone expected this from the Yankees, but it looks like we’re finally back and I think we’re going to make the playoffs.”

Not only will this hot start be beneficial for this season, but it will also be advantageous for the Yankees come free agency. Being one of the best teams in the MLB will certainly allow the Yankees to become a hotspot for attracting star-caliber players.

Is it safe to say that the Bronx Bombers are finally back? If the Yankees can stay healthy and continue on with this hot streak, I think it’s fair to say that the Bronx Bombers have returned.