In his last experience facing the Yankees’ best hitter in a major league game — before a possible rematch Friday — Luke Weaver was schooled on proper etiquette.
Then pitching for the Reds in 2023, Weaver caught flack from Aaron Judge for not acknowledging him with a head nod when Judge came to bat against him for the Yankees.
The two were teammates in the Cape Cod League as collegiate players.
“We hadn’t seen each other in quite a bit,” the Mets reliever said Friday before the Subway Series commenced at Citi Field. “Aaron Judge was at the plate, and I was in a bit of a trying season, so I needed all the energy I could muster. We had a laugh about it, and he made it a big deal, but in a light, kindhearted way.”
Weaver spent the past two seasons as Judge’s teammate, but has reverted to wearing an opposing uniform.
He entered Friday with a 4.15 ERA in 17 appearances for the Mets this season.
The Mets signed Weaver to a two-year contract worth $20 million last winter after he received limited interest from the Yankees following a rough final stretch with the club.
“There was some light communication, I think respectful communication, and just like staying in touch,” Weaver said. “But I think they were wanting to go in a different direction, so there wasn’t anything major in our discussions about returning.”
Weaver, who pitched to a 9.64 ERA last September before having two ugly postseason outings in three appearances, said he holds no animosity toward the Yankees for wanting to move on from him.
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“I have a lot of great, fond memories,” said Weaver, who pitched for the Yankees in the 2024 World Series. “For me individually down the stretch, it didn’t quite click the way it did the year before. Circumstances change and roles change and obviously results sometimes change.”
Weaver had a brutal stretch last month (he pitched to a 7.20 ERA in April), but entered Friday with five straight scoreless appearances.
“I think there were a couple of outings there where I kind of lost myself mechanically,” Weaver said. “It was kind of hard to get ahead in counts and I was pitching behind a lot.
“Lately, things have been going pretty good. Like our team, we go through waves and we’re trying to find ways to get back on track where we feel confident and we’re flowing the right way. I just want to continue to keep that momentum and not change based off who is stepping in the box and just attack.”
