The New York Yankees hold the title of captain in high regard, and Aaron Judge has more than proven he’s worthy of that honor. As the 16th captain in the storied franchise’s history, Judge follows in the footsteps of Yankees legends like Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Thurman Munson, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth. This season, Judge solidified his place among these iconic figures, demonstrating leadership both on and off the field.
Judge’s 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary, as he put up numbers that underscored his importance to the team. He led all major league hitters with a remarkable .458 on-base percentage and a staggering .701 slugging percentage. His 58 home runs were the most in the league, and he drove in 144 RBIs while drawing 133 walks.
His offensive production was elite across the board, with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 218 and an 11.2 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (fWAR), highlighting his all-around excellence. Judge also set a career-high batting average of .322, trailing only Bobby Witt Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the race for the batting title.
While Judge’s offensive prowess was undeniable, he also made significant contributions defensively. This season, he took on his largest share of responsibility in center field, making 105 starts in a position that demands both athleticism and versatility.
His ability to seamlessly shift between right field and center allowed the Yankees to optimize their lineup, which was a key factor in their 94-win season that secured them the top playoff seed in the American League.
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Off the field, life has been progressing beautifully for Judge as well. On December 13, 2021, Aaron Judge and his wife, Samantha, tied the knot in a private ceremony in Maui, Hawaii. The wedding was a star-studded affair, with many of Judge’s Yankees teammates, including Luis Cessa, Gary Sanchez, and Gleyber Torres, attending the special day. The couple has maintained a relatively private life, but recent developments have fans excited.
During Carlos and Ashley Rodon’s foundation dinner, Judge and Samantha were spotted together, and by all accounts, Samantha appeared to be showing off a baby bump. Though the couple has not officially announced they are expecting, all signs point to the exciting news that the Judges are about to become parents. The couple has yet to confirm the details publicly, but fans are already thrilled at the prospect of Judge soon taking on the role of fatherhood.
On the baseball front, Judge continues to break records with his signature power. Known for his towering home runs, it was fitting that he reached the 300-home run milestone faster than any player in MLB history. On August 14, Judge blasted his 300th career home run, doing so in just his 955th game, smashing the previous record of 1,087 games set by Ralph Kiner. This historic achievement is just another testament to Judge’s remarkable career, which continues to reach new heights.
As Judge looks forward to fatherhood, his “Dad strength” could be the secret to propelling him to even greater feats on the field. Fans and teammates alike are excited to see how this next chapter will unfold for the Yankees captain.
Congratulations to Aaron and Samantha on the upcoming addition to their family – both on the baseball diamond and in their personal lives, the future looks bright for the Judges.
