A Look Back at Judge’s Historic Season

Photo by Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

Undeniably, this year was a great one for the New York Yankees #99, Aaron Judge. This star’s thrilling season had Yankees fans flooding Yankee Stadium. Since the start of his Yankee debut, Judge has been making strides. He went from a .179 batting average and four home runs at the end of the 2016 season to a .311 average and the notorious 62 home runs at the end of 2022.

For the month of September, fans from all over were showing out with anticipation to be a part of that historic moment. When Judge surpassed Rodger Maris’s 61 home run record within 161 games on September 20, 2022, while it took Maris 162 season games. Judge had already been a well admired player but this put him right at the top, naming him the American League MVP as well as Athlete of the Year in Time Magazine.

At the end of the season there were rumors of Judge not coming back to defend his blue and white pinstripes. Yankee fans awaited the news with suspense. It was announced December 20, 2022 that Judge resigned with Yankees for a nine-year contract. The post season victory did not stop there as Judge was also named the 16th captain for the New York Yankees on December 21, 2022. Following behind Derek Jeter, another greatly idolized Yankee leader.

Following Judge’s historic season, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, announced that Judge will be receiving a key to New York City due to his incredible performance of the 2022 season. Being given the key, yet again shows the love and gratitude that the New York area has for Judge and the Yankees.

With spring training and opening day right around the corner, the Yankees will face off against the San Francisco Giants on the home field of Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2023. It will be interesting to see what Judge has to offer this season and what new milestone he will achieve for the Bronx Bombers. With great anticipation the New York fans await to “all rise'“ for their new captain.