Staten Island coach Bob Laterza, who led South Shore to the Little League World Series this summer, made waves last week with his viral criticism of the New York Yankees. Laterza specifically aimed his ire at megastar outfielder Aaron Judge, who he said failed to pay attention to his team of young players during last Sunday’s Little League Classic game between the Yankees and Detroit Tigers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Laterza’s South Shore team sat just a few meters from the home base during the game, yelling and waving in a waiting circle for Judge’s attention, but to no avail.
“How about you turn around or wave to New York and the kids who think you’re a hero?” Laterza told Advance at the time. “They’re the ones who pay your salary.”
“They were disappointed,” he added. “Maybe he wants to make it up to them and come visit them.”
READ: Staten Island coach makes scathing remarks about Yankees’ Aaron Judge
Since then, Laterza has faced both criticism and praise for his comments. It was also announced that the Staten Island team – which was ousted by eventual champion Florida – would be invited to Yankee Stadium this summer.
However, this did not stop the experienced captain from reaffirming his initial opinion.
The New York Post reported that Laterza defended himself against all allegations made against him following his initial comments, while also noting that he wanted an apology from Judge and the Yankees.
“The only reason I said anything to Advance is because those kids are my kids when they’re with me,” Laterza told the Post on Sunday. “They were disappointed. How am I going to explain to them that the guy can’t even turn around and wave? Well, you could say he’s busy playing the game… We’re 10 feet away. I mean, they were waving to the stands when they were at bat.”
The Yankees dropped the hammer last week and responded sharply to Laterza, but declined to respond to his recent comments, the report said.
READ: ‘Angry’ Yankees react to Staten Island team’s Little League coach
The Post report also confirmed that Laterza bears “no resentment” toward the team and said his own team “enjoyed the experience in Williamsport.”
Laterza said he was under the impression that the Yankees were paying special attention to the local New York Little League team during their visit to Williamsport. The Yankees denied this, pointing out that they were not dictating proceedings in Williamsport.
The Yankees, including Aaron Judge, met with many Little Leaguers that day. Some of the Bronx Bombers — including Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole — also met with the Staten Island team. Judge, however, was not part of the Yankees group that met with the New Yorkers.
“It seems like (the Yankees) couldn’t get through the crowds to ‘The Grove,’ where the lounge was where we were held up to meet them. I guess that’s what happens especially with crowds like that,” Laterza said in the Post report. “I understand that. And then (Judge) couldn’t come out, he’s getting ready for a game, I understand that. I mean, how much can we understand? Why can’t you turn around and wave? That was the crux of the matter. What was the big sense of entitlement?”
“You know what, maybe I should have given a better answer. Maybe they should have reacted better,” Laterza added.
Otherwise, it was a mostly pleasant experience on Staten Island in Williamsport.
“(We) received first-class treatment from the moment we arrived until the moment we left,” Laterza told the Post. “There was nothing that was needed or overlooked. It’s just great… I never imagined it would be done so well.”
