The 2023 MLB Little League Classic lived up to its billing, delivering a thrilling extra-inning showdown between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers.
While Aaron Judge captivated young fans, Parker Meadows stole the spotlight with a walk-off single, sealing a 3-2 victory for Detroit.
Yankees Vs Detroit Tigers Match Player Stats
Yankees vs. Tigers
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | AVG |
| G. Torres 2B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .237 |
| J. Soto RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .300 |
| A. Judge CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .331 |
| G. Stanton DH | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .242 |
| T. Grisham PR-DH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .192 |
| J. Dominguez LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| J. Trevino C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .243 |
| a- A. Wells PH-C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .252 |
| A. Volpe SS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .247 |
| D. LeMahieu 1B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .194 |
| B. Rice PR-1B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .188 |
| O. Peraza 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 |
| b- O. Cabrera PH-3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .251 |
Batting Summary
- RBI: D. LeMahieu (24)
- Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out: O. Cabrera
Baserunning
- SB: P. Meadows (9), Z. McKinstry (10)
Fielding
- Outfield Assist: A. Judge
Pitchers
| PITCHERS | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
| M. Stroman | 6.0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3.82 |
| L. Weaver (H, 21) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3.39 |
| T. Kahnle (H, 11) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.74 |
| C. Holmes (BS, 10) | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2.88 |
| M. Leiter (L, 3-5) (BS, 3) | 0.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.74 |
Pitching Summary
- Pitches-Strikes: M. Stroman 87-53, L. Weaver 12-8, T. Kahnle 13-10, C. Holmes 22-13, M. Leiter 6-4
- Ground Balls-Fly Balls: M. Stroman 5-7, T. Kahnle 2-0, C. Holmes 1-0, M. Leiter 2-0
Cardinals vs. Brewers
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | AVG |
| M. Winn SS | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .277 |
| A. Burleson LF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .275 |
| V. Scott II RF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .165 |
| P. Goldschmidt 1B | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .247 |
| N. Arenado DH-3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .266 |
| B. Donovan 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .268 |
| a- L. Baker PH | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .211 |
| R. Fernandez P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| I. Herrera C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .277 |
| L. Nootbaar RF-LF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .247 |
| J. Fermin 3B-2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .148 |
| M. Siani CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .249 |
Batting Summary
- RBI: L. Baker (9), I. Herrera (22), L. Nootbaar (35)
- 2-Out RBI: L. Baker, I. Herrera, L. Nootbaar
- Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out: M. Winn, I. Herrera, J. Fermin 2 (2)
Hitters (Brewers)
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | AVG |
| B. Turang 2B | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .258 |
| J. Chourio DH | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .279 |
| J. Bauers 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .195 |
| a- W. Contreras PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .278 |
| R. Hoskins 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .209 |
| W. Adames SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .253 |
| G. Mitchell RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .261 |
| B. Perkins CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .255 |
| J. Ortiz 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .239 |
| S. Frelick LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .263 |
| E. Haase C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .292 |
Batting Summary (Brewers)
- 2B: N. Arenado (21)
- HR: E. Haase (4)
- RBI: J. Ortiz (47), E. Haase (11)
- Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out: R. Hoskins, W. Adames, G. Mitchell 3 (3), E. Haase
Baserunning (Cardinals)
- SB: L. Nootbaar (7)
Baserunning (Brewers)
- SB: B. Turang (41), W. Adames (16), B. Perkins (19)
Fielding
| FIELDING (Cardinals) | |
| Outfield Assist | A. Burleson |
| E | M. Winn (13) |
| FIELDING (Brewers) | |
| E | B. Turang (4) |
Pitchers (Cardinals)
| PITCHERS | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
| S. Gray | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3.84 |
| J. Romero (BS, 8) | 0.1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.77 |
| A. Kittredge (W, 3-4) | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3.03 |
| R. Fernandez (S, 2) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3.19 |
Pitchers (Brewers)
| PITCHERS | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
| C. Rea | 4. |
Judge’s Rock Star Reception
Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ superstar slugger, received a hero’s welcome when he stepped off the plane. Hundreds of Little Leaguers clamored for his attention, seeking autographs, selfies, and even inquiring about his impressive physique.
“They’re making me feel like The Beatles out there,” Judge quipped, clearly enjoying the adulation.
The Yankees’ captain even sported a Little League hat during his press conference, having struck a deal with some young fans to exchange it for Yankees merchandise.
A Classic Little League Atmosphere
Historic Bowman Field, packed with 2,532 spectators, including Little Leaguers and their families, buzzed with excitement. The game had all the hallmarks of a youth baseball matchup:
- A run scored on a wild pitch
- A batter reaching first on a dropped third strike
- A runner thrown out at home by a mile
Even the concession prices were Little League-friendly, with hot dogs, water, and Cracker Jack all priced at just $3 each.
Key Moments and Standout Performances
- Tarik Skubal (Tigers) outdueled Judge, inducing a double play in a crucial sixth-inning at-bat
- Marcus Stroman (Yankees) tossed six shutout innings with five strikeouts
- Gleyber Torres (Yankees) scored on a wild pitch to break a 0-0 deadlock in the sixth
- Jace Jung (Tigers rookie) tied the game with a clutch two-out RBI single in the ninth
- DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) put New York ahead 2-1 with an RBI single in the 10th
- Zach McKinstry (Tigers) knotted the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the 10th
Meadows’ Walk-Off Magic
With the game hanging in the balance, Parker Meadows stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 10th. The young outfielder delivered a base hit to left field, scoring McKinstry and setting off a raucous celebration.
Yankees prospect Jasson Domínguez, making a rare appearance from the minors, hesitated momentarily on the throw home, allowing McKinstry to slide in safely.
Beyond the Box Score
While the game itself was thrilling, the real magic of the Little League Classic lay in the interactions between MLB stars and their young admirers:
- Judge signed countless autographs and posed for selfies
- Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole chatted with Little Leaguers from the broadcast area
- Injured Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. made friends with a player from Nevada, following him on Instagram
Looking Ahead
The Yankees now head home for a six-game stand against the Guardians and Rockies, while the Tigers embark on a seven-game road trip starting in Chicago.
Baseball fans can already mark their calendars for next year’s Little League Classic, featuring the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets on August 17, 2025.
Final Thoughts
The 2023 Little League Classic showcased the best of baseball – thrilling on-field action, heartwarming interactions between pros and young players, and a reminder of why America’s pastime continues to captivate fans of all ages.
While Aaron Judge may have been the main attraction, Parker Meadows and the scrappy Tigers wrote the storybook ending, proving that in baseball, anyone can be the hero on any given night.
