Discover the milestones, quirks, and history behind the Yankees superstar everyone is talking about
Aaron Judge entered the league as an underdog. Few people predicted he would reach superstar status when he made his MLB debut. Judge’s first full season in the majors in 2017 was beyond remarkable.
He finished the season with 52 homers, leading the American League and setting a record for rookies. In 2022, Aaron Judge put together one of the finest all-around offensive seasons in Major League Baseball history, breaking records that previously seemed untouchable.
Judge, being a Yankee, has some large shoes to fill as he is now arguably the face of the franchise. He has to live up to the standards set by former Yankee players and legends such as the all-time great Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Mariano Rivera among others.
However, because he plays the outfielder position, he is carrying the torch once held by legends such as Ruth and DiMaggio.
While Judge has yet to win a championship, there is no arguing the fact that a healthy Aaron could very well go down in league history as one of the greatest to ever play the game. He has already proven his all-time great power as a hitter and has broken records because of it.
All he needs to prove now is that he is a winner. He could very well end up as a World Series champion if his health cooperates and if his teammates do their part as well.
1. Was a Low Draft Pick
It might be surprising to many that the Yankees grabbed Aaron with the 32nd pick overall in the 2013 MLB Draft. Coming into the 2013 draft, a handful of teams just didn’t have the confidence that Aaron would develop into an exceptional player.
If the 2013 draft were held all over again, you can be sure Judge would be a top 5 pick as only he, ninth overall pick Austin Meadows, and second overall pick Kris Bryant turned out to be All-Stars by 2019.
2. Was Adopted the Day After He Was Born
Judge was at a disadvantage right from the day he was born. He required another family to cater to him. By a stroke of luck, he was paired with adoptive parents prepared to give him the best of all that life could offer. Wayne and Patty Judge brought the toddler into their home and lives.
Aaron escaped the usual challenges and difficulties that most children without parents face. Wayne and Patty never imagined their adopted son would one day become a star with the New York Yankees. Aaron himself didn’t realize he was adopted until he turned ten years old.
3. Hit a Home Run in His First MLB At-Bat
On August 12, 2016, Aaron Judge finally made his MLB debut as a member of the New York Yankees versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his first at-bat of the game, Judge immediately impressed everyone by showing off his unbelievable power. He hit a home run to become one of only a bit over a hundred players in MLB history to hit a home run in their first at-bat.
4. First Teammates in League History to Hit Home Runs in Their First MLB At-Bats
Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin are the first teammates to hit home runs in their first Major League at-bats in the same game.
Aaron Judge made his first appearance in the MLB for the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016. In his first at-bat of the game, Judge was quick to mystify the crowd by displaying his outrageous power.
He hit a home run to emerge as one of the not-so-many players in league history to hit a home run in their first at-bat.
The batter before Aaron Judge, Tyler Austin, hit his first home run as well. With this, they became the first teammates to hit home runs in the first at-bats of their major league debuts in the same game.
5. Favourite Music Genre is Hip Hop/R&B
Aaron Judge has revealed he loves listening to Hip Hop/R&B. Some of his favorite artists are Travis Scott, Drake, and J. Cole. The Yankees slugger has been spotted at several of their concerts.
6. Largest Player at the Outfielder Position in MLB History
Aaron Judge is blessed with the height of an NBA forward at 6’7”. At a staggering 282 pounds, he is the largest player at the outfielder position. The tallest player at the outfielder position in MLB History is actually Randy Johnson who stood at 6’10”. However, Judge outweighs The Big Unit by more than 55 pounds.
The second tallest player at the outfielder position in MLB History is Jeff Nelson. Nelson stands at 6’8″ and weighs 225 pounds. It must be noted that both Johnson and Nelson were pitchers who were put in left field for short amounts of time.
7. First Rookie to Win the Home Run Derby Outright
The 2017 Home Run Derby consisted of Aaron Judge winning 11–10 and becoming the first rookie to win the event outright (the Angels’ Wally Joyner was a co-champion in 1986).
Judge overcame 22 first-round blasts from Justin Bour of the Marlins and a dozen long balls from the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger in the second. He slammed 11 homers in the finals to defeat Miguel Sano of the Twins.
8. A Very Good Student
Judge was a good student with a 3.5 GPA, a member of the student government, and an exemplary student-athlete back in Linden High School. There is the likelihood for star athletes to neglect their studies altogether in high school and focus solely on their athletic careers.
The risk of this is that top athletes who fail to live up to expectation in the big leagues for one reason or the other tend to struggle outside of sports. Aaron on the other hand did not focus all his attention on sports but found a way to balance his studies with his sporting activities.
9. Very Few People Hit a Ball Harder Than Judge
Only a few players like Giancarlo Stanton are in the same league as Aaron Judge when it comes to raw power. As one of MLB’s most prolific power hitters, Judge can send the ball flying at a league-high average of about 96 miles per hour any time he wants.
On July 21, 2017, in a win against the Seattle Mariners, he hit the ball so hard that Statcast could not record its exit velocity.
And while Oneil Cruz holds the record for the fastest exit velocity ever recorded by Statcast, we can only assume that the home run hit by Judge on July 21 is the true record in the Statcast era of the MLB.
10. Attended the Same College as His Parents
One of the factors that contributed to Aaron’s decision to commit to Fresno State was because his parents graduated from the same school. Aaron’s parents, Patty and Wayne, first met as students at Fresno State University before getting married in 1975.
11. Not Really a Fan of His Jersey Number
Judge has said that the №99 isn’t his favourite number. This curiously high number was first given to him at spring training in 2016. He would prefer to wear №44 or №35. But Judge can never wear 44 as a Yankee because that number is retired in honor of Reggie Jackson.
The number 35 is also out of the picture for now because it belongs to pitcher Michael Pineda. Judge said he would love to switch numbers if Pineda ever leaves the team.
12. A Fan Favourite
After an extremely successful 2017 rookie season, the popularity and marketability of Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge skyrocketed. He became a fan favorite overnight. Judge’s jersey was the most popular MLB jersey sold in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
13. Was Huge Right From Birth
One thing Judge’s parents were already aware of was that their beloved son was going to be a large man. The Judge family frequently joked that Aaron Judge resembled the Michelin Tire man as a baby because of how big he was, even back then.
He was so big that he required a lot of feeding — the regular four ounces of formula per feeding was insufficient.
14. Only the Third Player to Wear the Number 99 in a Yankees Uniform
While Aaron Judge is the current holder of the №99 jersey for the New York Yankees, he’s not the first to wear it. That honor belongs to Yankees outfielder Charlie Keller who wore it back in 1952.
Keller was not only the first Yankees player to wear that number but the first-ever player in MLB history to do so. Former reliever Brian Bruney was the last Yankee to wear №99 before Judge. Bruney wore it in 2009.
15. Fortnite Is His Favourite Game
Judge has always professed his love for video games and has said his favourite is Fortnite. He revealed that sometimes when he gets together with his friends, they want to live stream but he doesn’t think he’s good enough for that.
16. Was in New York for the First Time in His Life During the 2013 Draft
The 2013 draft offered Aaron the opportunity to be in New York for the first time in his life. Although he was nervous and unable to sleep due to the anxiety of the draft, he tried to make the most out of his trip to New York and toured the entire city.
He even went to Yankee Stadium and looked at the dugout without even knowing that the Yankees were interested in him. As far as he was concerned, the only teams he thought were interested in him were those that played in the West, such as San Diego and Arizona.
17. Unanimous 2017 AL Rookie of the Year
Aaron Judge may have failed to get his team to the World Series and win a title for the Yankees in 2017, but he ended up with what is now arguably the best season a rookie could ever have in the history of the MLB.
Judge finished the 2017 season with a .284 batting average, 52 home runs, and 114 RBIs. He led the American League in home runs, runs scored, and walks.
18. Finished Second in the 2017 AL MVP Voting as a Rookie
During his rookie year, Aaron Judge was breaking records that back then seemed untouchable. Highly impressive for a rookie, Judge received a lot of votes for the AL MVP Award but ended up in second place to the 2017 American League Most Valuable Player, José Altuve.
19. Notre Dame, Stanford, and UCLA Tried Recruiting Him as a Tight End
The 2022 AL MVP nearly chose college football coming out of high school after garnering interest from several major programs including UCLA, Stanford, and Notre Dame. Instead, he opted for a baseball scholarship to Fresno State in 2010 and it looks like he made the right choice.
20. A Three-Sport Athlete
Judge was blessed with the size and strength that allowed him to excel in all types of sports right from childhood. All through his early life, he was a three-sport star who was able to do pretty well in baseball, football, and basketball.
His true love was baseball though. Playing basketball was crucial in helping his mobility, conditioning, and coordination during his young years. Aaron was able to exhibit a combination of speed, explosiveness, and overall athleticism as a wide receiver in high school.
His motivation came from baseball Hall of Famer, Dave Winfield, who was a three-sport athlete as well.
21. An Avid Dog Lover
Aaron Judge, the 6–7 right fielder known for his menacing bat, is not just a fierce athlete on the field but also a dedicated pet owner. It is no secret that Aaron Judge’s dogs Penny and Gus are more than just pets.
They are a source of warmth and joy in his life. Aaron Judge has credited the friendship between his dog and the pooch of teammate Anthony Rizzo for finalizing his decision to re-sign with the Yankees for $360 million.
22. Second Yankees Player to Win the Rookie of the Year Award by a Unanimous Vote
Judge is the second Yankees player to win the AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award by a unanimous vote, along with Derek Jeter in 1996. Jeter was drafted out of high school by the Yankees in 1992 and made his debut in the majors at 20 years old in 1995.
He would go on to win the Rookie of the Year Award and help the Yankees win the World Series over the Atlanta Braves the following year.
23. Won the 2012 College Baseball Home Run Derby
In 2012, Aaron Judge won the College Baseball Home Run Derby, launching 16 home runs in three rounds.
Judge edged out Virginia Tech’s Tyler Horan and LSU Tiger Mason Katz to become the second Fresno State baseball player to make it to the derby final. In 2010, former Bulldog Jordan Ribera finished second in the inaugural derby.
24. Extremely Humble
Despite the fact that Aaron is playing for one of the biggest franchises in the world, he still possesses a very humble demeanour. Growing up in the small town of Linden has allowed him to stay true to his roots. Very few athletes are able to maintain the same level of humility once they get a taste of fame and fortune.
His coaches and high school friends back in his tight-knit community of Linden all attest to the fact that he is still the same humble Aaron they knew growing up. Such is his level of humility that his friends and acquaintances sometimes forget for a moment they are interacting with one of the best Yankees in history.
25. Began to Take Baseball Seriously Only in His Senior Year of High School
Aaron Judge only started to take baseball seriously coming into his senior year and he made a promise to himself he was going to do whatever it took to succeed in baseball. Before that, he was a tri-star athlete who was torn between basketball, baseball, and football.
With his strong work ethic, it wasn’t long before he began dominating the high school ranks and this would bring college scouts as well as scouts working for professional teams knocking at his door.
Fresno State was fortunate to get Aaron to commit to them when his stock as a high school player was not quite high enough for him to draw offers from other prestigious schools.
26. Ninth Yankees Player to Have Been Selected as the Rookie of the Year
Judge is the ninth Yankees player to have been selected as the Rookie of the Year, and the first since Derek Jeter in 1996. The others were: Gil McDougald (1951), Bob Grim (‘54), Tony Kubek (‘57), Tom Tresh (‘62), Stan Bahnsen (‘68), Thurman Munson (‘70), and Dave Righetti (‘81).
27. Admitted To Nerves During Appearance on the Tonight Show
Early on during the 2017 MLB season, Judge got an invite to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon due to his new-found fame in New York. He admitted to being nervous the whole time and confessed he isn’t nearly as comfortable with a microphone as he is with a bat.
28. Made His MLB Debut in 2016
On August 12, 2016, Aaron Judge made his MLB debut as a member of the New York Yankees versus the Tampa Bay Rays.
Unfortunately, he was shelved due to an oblique strain just a month after making his MLB debut with the New York Yankees. Due to the injury, he had to miss the remainder of the season. Judge played only 27 games during the 2016 season.
29. His Parents Were Both Physical Education Teachers
There is no doubt that Aaron is one of the most disciplined players to grace the MLB. His discipline didn’t come by fluke.
His parents both worked as physical education teachers who understood the importance of discipline in enhancing a developing person’s overall physical and mental state. The future MVP would transfer this level of discipline to his baseball career.
30. He’s Biracial
Aaron Judge is biracial. He is of white and black descent and looks nothing like his adoptive parents who are both white. At just ten years old, Judge already had a hunch he might be adopted.
31. Oakland Athletics Called Him in For a Workout While He Was Still in High School
Aaron Judge had never laid foot inside the Oakland Athletics’ stadium, despite being only a few hours away from Oakland. This was about to change. Oakland Athletics invited him in for a workout bringing him closer to his dream of playing in the MLB even though he hadn’t even featured in a single college game.
What Oakland saw during the workout was a raw talent that if given the chance could blossom into something special.
Scouts weren’t even aware he was still a high school senior because of how impressive he was. Based on what they witnessed, the Oakland A’s made up their mind to draft Aaron if they had the opportunity to do so.
32. Was Initially Selected by the Oakland A’s
Aaron Judge was initially taken by the Oakland A’s with their 31st-round draft pick in 2010. They knew the 18-year-old had great potential and could be developed into a star with the proper guidance. Unfortunately, the young man from Linden felt he wasn’t mentally ready yet for the big stage.
In as much as it was so tempting to head to the pros and make money whilst his skills and talent caught up with his massive physical development, Aaron saw it best to head to Fresno. Going to college was crucial in helping Aaron develop mentally and gain the experience to truly take on the professionals.
33. Favourite Player Is Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds and Aaron Judge are both from the Bay Area. Bonds grew up down the Peninsula from old Candlestick Park. Judge hails 90 minutes east of San Francisco in the Stockton area, and he was 9 years old when Bonds erased Mark McGwire’s three-year-old single-season home run record of 70.
Judge was a big Bonds and Giants fan, telling the San Francisco Chronicle in an interview that Barry Bonds was the greatest hitter of all time in his opinion.
34. Tallest Right Fielder in MLB history
Yankees superstar and 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge has been a right fielder throughout most of his MLB career. He ties Billy Ashley, Walt Bond, Frank Howard, Steven Moya, and Richie Sexson as the tallest right fielder in MLB history.
Out of these 6’7” players, only Howard and Moya come somewhat close to the size of Judge at 255 pounds and 260 pounds respectively.
35. The 2022 American League Most Valuable Player
Judge was incredible in every facet of the game in 2022 and put up a season that ranks with the very best of all time. Carrying the Yankees through the highs and lows of their 99-win season, Judge captured the baseball world with his historic performance.
Judge won the AL Most Valuable Player Award for the 2022 MLB season thanks to what will be remembered as one of the most impressive offensive seasons of the current era.
36. Skipped Money to Fulfil Parents’ Dream of a Good College Education
Aaron Judge’s decision to attend California State University, Fresno, rather than sign with the Oakland Athletics wasn’t motivated by selfish motives or even baseball.
He simply wanted to fulfil his parents’ dream of acquiring a good education by going to college. So even though he had the opportunity to go pro right after high school, he opted to play college baseball for Fresno State.
37. Team DJ
Aaron took it upon himself to be the clubhouse DJ for the Yankees upon being called up from the minor leagues in 2016. He brought music and more relaxed vibes to the clubhouse.
According to Judge, “We always played music in the clubhouse when I was in the minors. They didn’t have any music in New York. It was very quiet. We played a song after one of the games. Then it just kind of took off, and I started playing some more music after our wins.”
38. Second Yankee to Win Both Rookie of the Year and MVP
With his first career MVP Award in 2022, Judge joins Thurman Munson as the only Yankees to ever win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Munson won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1970 before taking home the MVP award in 1976. Judge won Rookie of the Year in 2017.
39. The Tallest MVP in Major League History
At 6-foot-7, Judge is the tallest MVP winner ever in either the American League or National League. The previous tallest MVP was his Yankees teammate, 6-foot-6 Giancarlo Stanton, the NL winner with the Marlins in 2017.
40. The Single-Season American League Home Run Record Holder
Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run of the season in October 2022 against the Rangers, passing Roger Maris for the most in a season by an American League player.
Some consider Judge’s mark of 62 home runs to also be the legitimate Major League single-season record, as the only players with more home runs in a single season (Barry Bonds, Sosa, and McGwire) have all been tied to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
41. Second Player in Yankees History to Hit a Home Run in Each of His First Two Games
Just a day after making his MLB debut with a spectacular home run, Judge hit another home run, demonstrating that his first one the day before was not a stroke of good fortune.
Exhibiting the unbelievable strength in his 6’7 frame, Judge proceeded to become only the second player in Yankees history to hit home runs in the first two games of his career. Joe Lefebvre was the first Yankees player to hit a home run in his first two major league games back in 1980.
42. Bubblegum Superstition
Judge is a superstitious player when it comes to chewing bubble gum. He will always chew bubble gum prior to a game and will continue chewing that piece of gum as long as he gets a hit.
If he does not get a hit in a certain at-bat, Judge will replace that piece of gum with a new one, restarting the cycle. It was a tradition he started in college.
43. 10th Player to Win the AL Rookie of the Year Award by a Unanimous Vote
Aaron Judge is the 10th player to win the AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award by a unanimous vote. The first player to be unanimously voted American League (AL) Rookie of the Year was Carlton Fisk. Other notable players who have won this award unanimously are Mark McGwire, Derek Jeter, and Mike Trout.
44. Sunflower Seeds Pregame Rituals
Judge practises a number of rituals before, during, and after games that distinguishes him from other players.
According to Michael Kay (as discussed during The Michael Kay Show), before each game at Yankee Stadium, Judge ceremoniously tosses exactly 40 sunflower seeds in the grass behind home plate (one for each man on the extended Yankees roster.) The prayer he recites after he tosses the seeds is unknown to the public.
45. 2022 AL Hank Aaron Award Winner
Aaron Judge’s remarkable 2022 season earned him the Hank Aaron Award, recognizing the most outstanding offensive performer in each league.
He led the majors in slugging percentage (.686), on-base percentage (.425), OPS (1.111), and runs (133), and his 131 RBIs tied Pete Alonso of the Mets for most in the big leagues.
46. Set Some Remarkable Records Outside of Baseball in High School
Aaron put up some pretty incredible stats outside of baseball in high school. He set the Linden High School record of 17 touchdowns despite being oversized for a wide receiver and scored 18.2 points per game as a basketball center.
It’s amazing to imagine what he could have accomplished in football and basketball had he not stuck with baseball.
47. A Devout Christian
Wayne and Patty raised Aaron as a Christian. This allowed him to stay rooted and appreciative of any kind of favour he was presented with in his childhood.
Even after all this time, Aaron still believes with all his heart it was by the design of God that he was paired with his adoptive parents and he would be nowhere near the athlete he is today if that match made in heaven didn’t occur. Judge has always made it a point to actively share his faith on his social media accounts.
48. Leader for Most Home Runs Hit by a Yankee Rookie
On July 7th, 2017, Aaron Judge hit his 30th home run of the season, surpassing the 29 hit by Joe DiMaggio to become the leader for most home runs hit by a Yankee rookie.
With this accomplishment, he attained legendary rookie status. The remarkable thing about Aaron’s feat is that DiMaggio hit 29 homers in 637 at-bats whereas Judge reached 30 in just his 293rd at-bat.
49. Second in Homers in a Season by a Rookie in MLB History
With his 52 homers in 2017, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge surpassed Mark McGwire’s single-season rookie home run record. Mark McGwire’s 49 home runs as a rookie stood unchallenged for three decades.
However, Aaron didn’t wear the crown for long. In 2019, Pete Alonso hit his 53rd home run, passing Aaron to gain sole possession of first place on the leaderboard for most home runs by a rookie.
50. Has an Older Adopted Brother Named John
Aaron Judge has an older brother, John. Like Aaron, Patty and Wayne Judge also adopted John right after birth. John lives a quiet life teaching English in South Korea and is nowhere near the limelight as his brother. John is of Asian descent while Aaron is biracial.
Their varied ancestry contributes a fascinating aspect to their family background. The brothers continue to keep a solid relationship despite not having the same birth parent.
51. Just the 14th Yankee (23rd Time) in Franchise History to be Named the AL MVP
Aaron Judge’s selection as American League MVP marks the 23rd time that a Yankee has won the MVP award. 14 of the 23 award winners were different players who have donned the Yankee pinstripes.
Judge is the first Yankee to do so since Alex Rodriguez in 2007, and he’s the first outfielder to win it since Mickey Mantle in 1962.
The legendary list of players to have won the AL MVP for the Yankees includes Don Mattingly, Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Joe DiMaggio, Spud Chandler, Joe Gordon, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth.
52. Three-Time Silver Slugger Award Winner
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has won the prestigious Silver Slugger Award three times. The award is given to the best offensive players at each position in each league. Judge is one of the best hitters in baseball right now. Since peak Barry Bonds, there hasn’t been a hitter who has invoked as much fear in the opposition.
53. Was Once an Ace Pitcher
The New York Yankees slugger wasn’t always an outfielder. Aaron Judge was actually once a high school pitching ace. On the mound, Judge had a 9–3 record with a 0.88 ERA, 65 strikeouts, and 20 walks. He finished his senior season with five straight wins en route to a league championship.
54. Fastest Player in MLB History to Reach 60 Career Home Runs
Judge is the fastest player ever to reach 60 career home runs. It took him just 197 career games to hit 60 home runs. Mark McGwire had the previous record with 60 home runs in his first 202 games.
55. Big Fan of the San Francisco Giants and Giants Player Rich Aurilia as a Kid
Aaron Judge spent his childhood life in Linden, California which is in very close proximity to San Francisco. He therefore became fond of the San Francisco Giants at an early age. His favourite idol was Giants player Rich Aurilia. There was something special about the number 35 to Judge.
The number was close to his dad’s heart and was the reason Judge was fond of Aurilia even though he was by no means a top-tier player. Judge played all sports wearing 35 as a kid. He even copied the posture of Aurilia when he was competing during his school days.
56. Married His High School Sweetheart
Aaron Judge married his high school sweetheart Samantha Bracksieck in a private ceremony in Maui, Hawaii, on Dec. 13, 2021. The two made their relationship official on the social media platform Instagram back in 2019.
Though Judge and Bracksieck primarily keep their relationship under wraps, they are frequently seen enjoying sporting events together. In October 2023, the couple sat courtside at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks game against the Boston Celtics.
57. His Wife Was Honoured for a Thesis Examining Elbow Ligament Injuries in MLB
While a student at Fresno State, Aaron Judge’s wife Samantha Bracksieck was honored in 2017 for an outstanding master’s thesis in kinesiology.
Her award-winning project, titled “Posterior Elbow Angle During the Movement Phase of Throwing in Relation to the Susceptibility of UCL Injury in Major League Baseball Players,” examined elbow ligament injuries in Major League Baseball.
58. Was Initially Placed in a Low-Level Class A Minor League
Most scouts and experts didn’t have too high of an expectation for Aaron Judge when he got drafted back in 2013. He was predicted to be at best an average player in the MLB.
Even in comparison to second-rate batters, he grappled to hit the ball flawlessly and was never the most precise batter at his position. His bulk and power even though extremely valuable in other sports like basketball and football weren’t critical in a sport like baseball.
Judge required a lot of polishing and wasn’t prepared yet for the major leagues even after getting drafted in the first round by the New York Yankees.
Predictably, the MiLB’s Triple-A or Double-A divisions were not even where Judge began his career. He ended up playing for the Charleston RiverDogs in a low-level Class A minor league.
He had to first prove his worth before the Yankees felt it necessary to push him to the Class A Advanced League division. They most likely didn’t believe he deserved a roster spot in the major leagues, but Judge beat all odds working his way up to the Double-A before going to the Triple-A in just two years.
59. 12th Former AL Rookie of the Year to Go on to Win an MVP Award
Judge is the 12th former American League Rookie of the Year Award winner (2017) to go on to win an MVP Award. The list includes Thurman Munson, Fred Lynn, Ichiro Suzuki, Rod Carew, Cal Ripken Jr., Jose Canseco, Dustin Pedroia, Justin Verlander, Mike Trout, Jose Abreu and Shohei Ohtani.
60. Was Already Wearing a Size 17 Sneaker by the Time He Was a Sophomore in High School
Aaron Judge’s foot was always gigantic and rarely stopped growing when he was a kid. He was already wearing a size 17 sneaker by the time he was a sophomore in high school and had been struggling to find shoes his whole life.
Aaron wears the same shoe size as NBA stars like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Joel Embiid, and Larry Bird.
61. Single-Season Yankees Home Run Record Holder
With 62 home runs, Aaron Judge is the New York Yankees franchise leader for home runs in a single season. This is truly a remarkable achievement as even legends such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle were unable to surpass 60 home runs in a single season in their time with the Yankees.
62. Richard Schenck: The Man Who Changed Aaron Judge’s Career
In 2016, Aaron Judge was seeking solutions on how to be a better hitter. David Matranga having watched Aaron in the early stages of his career in the MLB was aware he needed some assistance.
He therefore saw it wise to recommend Richard Schenck, a man who had monitored the sport his whole life, to Aaron. Under the tutelage of Schenck, two days was all it took for Aaron to notice an improvement in the way he swung.
He already had a fairly good swing, but he mastered how to better it and get it up to the level of what would be required of him in the MLB, where pitchers are considerably more precise than the ones Judge encountered in the lesser leagues.
63. Joined the Yankees as a Roster Replacement for the Retiring Alex Rodriguez
Aaron Judge became part of the Yankees as a roster replacement for the retiring baseball legend Alex Rodriguez.
And though he may only have been summoned by the Yankees to take a roster spot left vacant by one of Major League Baseball’s greatest players, Judge would go on to demonstrate that he had the potential to rival or even surpass some of the greats.
64. 2023 Roberto Clemente Award Winner
In 2023, Judge received MLB’s prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. This award annually recognizes a Major League player who best represents baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, on and off the field.
Judge founded the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation in 2018. The ALL RISE Foundation aims to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens by engaging them in activities that encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities.
65. Has Never Met or Had Any Contact With His Biological Parents
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has revealed he has never met his biological parents. He had what was called a closed adoption where the adoptive parents and the adopted child have no contact with the child’s birthparents.
Aaron therefore hasn’t made any contact with his biological parents. “I have one set of parents, the ones that raised me. That’s how it is. Some kids grow in their mom’s stomach; I grew in my mom’s heart,” the Yankees superstar told Newsday.
66. One of the Longest Home Runs in the Statcast Era
Major League Baseball’s introduction of StatCast tracking makes it easier than ever to determine the farthest home runs. On Sept. 30, 2017, Yankees superstar Aaron Judge launched a bomb that traveled a remarkable 496 feet. It was one of the longest home runs hit since 2015 when StatCast was introduced.
67. Amongst Top 10 Yankees All-Time Home Run Leaders
In September 2023, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees moved into the Top 10 of Yankees history with his 251st career home run against the Houston Astros.
To be in the top 10 already signifies just how good he has been over his career. Aaron still has quite a long way to go until he catches up with legends like Babe Ruth who belted 659 of his career 714 homers in a Yankees uniform.
68. Forbes Estimates His Earnings from Brand Affiliations to Be Around $4.5 million
Judge’s journey as a brand ambassador began back in his minor league days and has since blossomed into a multi-faceted portfolio of endorsements.
Capitalizing on his rising star power after earning the Rookie of the Year award in 2017, he forged early ties with brands such as Under Armour and Pepsi.
As the years progressed, his endorsement endeavors expanded to include a slew of renowned names such as Hulu, Jersey Mike’s, JBL, and Oakley, among others.
Perhaps the pinnacle of his endorsements is his recent collaboration with Nike’s Air Jordans. As of 2023, Forbes estimates his earnings from brand affiliations to be around $4.5 million.
69. One of the Biggest Contracts in MLB History
Aaron Judge set a new standard when he reached a nine-year, $360 million deal with the Yankees at the 2022 Winter Meetings. Judge’s contract with the Yankees placed him in the upper echelon of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
The $360 million that went his way is the largest contract signed by an MLB-free agent in history. At $40 million per season, Judge is also the highest-paid position player in baseball.
70. Credits His Mum With His Success
Both of Aaron’s parents were instrumental in his success. But he’s particularly grateful to his mother for helping him become the man and player he is today.
“I know I wouldn’t be a New York Yankee if it wasn’t for my mom,” Judge said in a 2017 interview. “The guidance she gave me as a kid growing up, knowing the difference from right and wrong, how to treat people and how to go the extra mile and put in extra work, all that kind of stuff. She’s molded me into the person that I am today.”
71. Two-Time AL Home Run Leader
Aaron Judge was the American League home run leader in 2017 and 2022. In 2017, he had an amazing season in the AL as a rookie, leading the league with 52 home runs. In 2022, the 6’7″ outfielder led not only the AL but the entire MLB with 62 home runs during a record-breaking season.
72. His Toughest Pitcher to Hit Was R.A. Dickey
Judge has confessed that his hardest pitcher to hit was knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey. The first knuckleballer to win the Cy Young Award had vast success at getting hitters to swing and miss at his knuckleball, both in and out of the zone. Dickey threw 28,080 pitches with 80.4% being knuckleballs.
73. Tallest Center Fielder in MLB History
Judge was drafted as a center fielder out of Fresno State University in 2013. He appeared in 11 games at the position in the minors and so didn’t hesitate when asked to make his first career start at center field in the majors in 2018.
Stanton, the proven MVP, was better off at the right field spot. As such, there was a need to put Judge in center.
This made Aaron Judge the tallest and heaviest player in baseball history to play the position. Walt Bond, who also stood at 6’7”, used to be the largest player to play the position, but Judge outweighs him in terms of overall body mass.
74. Would Be a Math or Science Teacher If He Didn’t Play Baseball
If he didn’t play baseball, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year has revealed he would have been a maths or science teacher which might be surprising to a lot of people.
Most people would have guessed he would be a coach or something similar. The 6’7″ slugger would have been educating future generations of scientists, engineers, and technologists in an alternate universe.
75. A Clutch Performer
Judge has a knack for performing under pressure. Very few people can be relied on to deliver when the stakes are highest like him.
When the Yankees were trailing late in a game and needed to score to tie or lead the game, Aaron has stepped up to the plate and produced wonders. He has hit numerous clutch home runs in his career, including several in the postseason.
76. Has Very Own Judge’s Chambers Section at Yankee Stadium
Aaron Judge became so famous that the New York Yankees put up, “The Judge’s Chambers”, a group of seats from which 18 fans can cheer on their favorite player while rocking black robes with the Yankees logo on the front and Judge’s №99 on the back.
Only proven Aaron Judge supporters are given a place in the Judge’s Chamber. Fans can’t purchase tickets for the section, but those who wear his jersey or T-shirt, and the people attending the game with them, are hand-selected for this prime seating.
77. Most Walks by a Rookie
On September 4th, 2017, Aaron Judge hit the 100 mark for walks to become only the first American League rookie to have at least a hundred walks in a single season since Al Rosen did it back in 1950.
He also became only the first player in the entire MLB to do so since Jim Gilliam did it as a rookie back in 1953.
During a game on September 10, Judge received his 107th walk, the most walks by a rookie in a season since Ted Williams in 1939. Judge finished the 2017 season with 127 walks, setting the Major League record for walks by a rookie in a season.
78. Favorite Baseball Movie is ‘The Sandlot’
Judge has often cited ‘The Sandlot,’ a heart-warming story about baseball and friendship, as his favorite movie.
The biggest reason “The Sandlot” is arguably the best baseball movie of all time is because it shows how sports can create lifelong friendships for kids.
Judge personally loves the movie because the entire film is a representation of what it means to be a kid, regardless of the era in which you grew up.
79. A Five-Time All-Star
Judge has been selected to the MLB All-Star team five times in his career in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Unfortunately, he was not able to play in the 2023 All-Star Game due to a toe injury.
The accolade still counted for Judge even though he was not able to play. He now trails only Derek Jeter (9), Dave Winfield (7), and Alex Rodriguez (8) for most selections as a Yankee.
80. Put Together an Impressive Hitting Streak in the Minors
Judge was able to record a 14-game hitting streak during his tenure with the Trenton Thunder back in 2015 which is pretty impressive even in the minors. He batted .362 throughout the streak, giving Yankees’ fans a glimpse of what they could expect from him in the future.
81. Fastest Player in Major League History to Reach 250 Home Runs
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is the fastest player in major league history to reach 250 home runs. He reached the milestone in his 810th career game.
The previous record-holder, former NL MVP Ryan Howard, hit his 250th home run in his 855th career game. Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner is the only other player to reach 250 career home runs in fewer than 900 games. Kiner did it in 871 games.
82. Drove a Plain Old Regular Audi A7 for Multiple Years
Professional athletes are well known for their flashy rides so it’s quite astonishing that one of the biggest stars in professional sports drove a regular car (more or less) for multiple years.
New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge drove a plain old regular Audi A7 for quite some time despite being in a position where he could afford just about anything on four wheels.
83. 2021 Fielding Bible Award for RF
Aaron Judge is best known for his bat, but he’s excellent at defense as well. In 2021, he won his first Fielding Bible Award, given to the best defensive player at each position each year. Judge’s defensive strength in 2021 was the deterrent value of his arm. His 5 Outfield Arm Runs Saved tied for second most by a right fielder.
84. Favourite Animal Is a Penguin
Penguins are cute and cuddly. They have beautiful fur and love the land and the water. So it’s no surprise that these amazing creatures are Judge’s favourite animals.
These loving animals can defy all odds, never bow down to failures, and always bounce back. This same level of resilience is what has propelled Judge from the minor leagues to superstar status.
85. Two-Time All-MLB First Team
Judge was a 2-time member of the All-MLB First team in 2021 and 2022 as an outfielder. In 2021, he was joined by Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper and Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto.
Aaron Judge, the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, and the Angels’ Mike Trout were the outfielders on the All-MLB First Team in 2022.
86. Had His Number Retired by Fresno State
The northern California native had a wonderful college career playing three seasons for the Bulldogs. While there, Aaron Judge was a three-time first-team all-conference player and helped guide Fresno State from the WAC into the Mountain West.
As a tribute to his greatness, Fresno State retired Aaron Judge’s college number in November 2023. His iconic number 29 will never be worn again by any for Fresno State University.
87. Third Fastest Player in League History to Reach 100 Career Home Runs
On August 27, 2019, Judge hit his 17th home run of the season against the Seattle Mariners to reach the 100 mark for career home runs.
Needing 371 games to reach that mark, Aaron Judge became the third-fastest player in league history to reach 100 career home runs. Ryan Howard, who needed 325 games to reach 100 home runs, sits at the top.
Meanwhile, Judge’s teammate Gary Sanchez reached the mark earlier that season in his 355th game to become the second-fastest player to get 100 home runs.
Slowed down by injuries in the past couple of years, Aaron Judge would surely have been able to reach the 100 mark faster had he been healthy.
88. Rang the NYSE Bell With His Family in December 2016
Judge, who was raised in the small town of Linden, California, and his parents were invited to the New York Stock Exchange in December 2016 to ring the opening bell. The family also spent the day exploring the city.
“We came up a couple days early and kind of checked out the city,” Judge told MLB.com. “During the season, we’re working, so you don’t really get a chance. The past couple days we checked out the city and I’m glad my parents are here for it.”
Judge continued, “Especially here [at the NYSE], where there are a lot of Yankee fans. That’s been great so far. I’ve been meeting people, and saying hi, and it’s just getting me excited for next year.”
89. His Net Worth is Estimated to Be $55 Million
With his outstanding achievements on the field, Aaron Judge’s net worth has experienced significant growth over the years.
As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at $55 million, compared to $36 million in 2018. Apart from his salary as a player, which amounts to millions of dollars annually, Judge also earns a substantial income through endorsements and brand promotions.
90. His Strikeout Problem
Aaron Judge’s propensity for striking out in 2017 was prodigious. Despite winning AL Rookie of The Year, he led baseball in strikeouts with 208. Judge’s bigger strike zone has evidently worked against him in the past.
His chronic strikeouts were the main knock against his skillset as a prospect, and the problem extended into his major league career. Judge recorded 152 and 141 strikeouts in 2018 and 2019, respectively, despite missing over 50 games due to injury each year.
91. The Message: .179
One of Aaron Judge’s ways to motivate himself is by keeping a note on the Notes app on his phone. The note says “.179,” which was the batting statistic he had when he was just called up by the Yankees back in August of 2016.
The reason why he uses that as motivation is to make sure that he will never be as bad a hitter as he was when he had just come up from the minor leagues to join the Yankees. He has since batted more than .270 every year since his rookie year.
92. Secured a Manhattan Penthouse Worth a Staggering $20 million
Spread across a sprawling 7,000 square feet, Aaron Judge’s $20 million NYC penthouse exudes grandeur with its high ceilings, magnificent marble fireplaces that exude warmth, and floor-to-ceiling windows that invite generous doses of natural light.
The highlight of this exquisite property is its awe-inspiring panoramic views, which encompass the majestic Hudson River and the iconic New York City skyline, serving as a daily reminder of the vibrant city that lies just beyond the windows.
93. Turned Down a 7-year, 213.5 Million Dollar Contract Extension
In early 2022, Aaron Judge turned down a seven-year, $213.5m contract extension from the New York Yankees. Many thought he was crazy at the time as the deal was still one of the largest contracts in MLB history.
But Judge thought he was worth more, opting to play out the season and see what he could fetch in free agency. In an era in which the phrase “bet on yourself” has become ubiquitous, perhaps nobody placed a larger bet than Judge. And that bet paid dividends.
94. 16th Captain in Yankees History
At age 30, Judge became the first captain for the Yankees since Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Jeter retired in 2014.
Judge joins Yankees legends Derek Jeter, Thurman Munson, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Ron Guidry, Don Mattingly, Willie Randolph, and more as captains of one of the most successful and storied franchises in sports history.
These captains were not only great baseball players, but great ambassadors of the game. Several of Judge’s teammates, including Anthony Rizzo and Nestor Cortes, campaigned for Judge to be named captain.
95. AP Male Athlete of the Year
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was awarded the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 2022. Judge beat out Shohei Ohtani and Stephen Curry for the honor.
Among the former Yankees to win were Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Roger Maris. Judge joins an esteemed fraternity of honorees that includes Michael Jordan, Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali, and Wayne Gretzky.
96. Favourite Food is Chicken Parmesan
Aaron Judge is part of a seemingly growing list of famous people with an affinity for poultry products. He has revealed his fondness for chicken parmesan. But it isn’t just Judge who likes poultry.
Other famous people who have such an affinity for poultry are Peyton Manning, Britney Spears, Courteney Cox, Matt Damon, Paula Abdul, Mike Pompeo, Julia Butters, and Megan Thee Stallion.
97. 2019 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year in Right Field
In 2019, Aaron Judge had a total of 19 defensive saves for a right fielder that season to tie for the most of any player at his position that year. What was even more impressive was the fact that he had missed a total of 60 games but still managed to stay on top.
He was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at the right field position due to his amazing efforts as a deceptively quick, mobile, and well-coordinated athlete on the defensive end.
98. New York Can Thank a Free Agent for Judge
The Yankees drafted Aaron Judge with the №32 overall selection in the 2013 MLB Draft. Picking Judge in 2013 is arguably the Yankees’ best draft pick of the 21st century.
It took the departure of an All-Star outfielder and fan favourite, Nick Swisher, to open the door for Judge’s tenure with the Bombers to begin.
The Yankees’ only traditional first-round draft pick in 2013 came at №26. After free agency, however, the Bombers added picks №32 and 33 to their draft board.
99. Favourite Ice Cream Is Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Judge’s favorite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough. This shouldn’t be a surprise since this delicious ice cream is a fan favorite. In the US alone, fans scoop up over 1.6 million pints of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream every year.
100. Favourite Colour is Purple
Aaron Judge has revealed that his favorite color is purple. He likes purple because it’s a royal color.
Purple as a favorite color is said to represent an artistic and unique individual, who is often very intuitive and deeply interested in spirituality.
Lovers of purple are said to be good judges of character and visionaries with a great need to participate in humanitarian issues.