Aaron Judge reveals details behind becoming captain

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Judge reveals details behind becoming Yankees' 16th captain

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/2/23

Aaron Judge recently revealed the nonchalant fashion in which he found out he'd become the 16th New York Yankees captain.

Judge stated that seconds after agreeing to a nine-year, $360 million contract over the phone with Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner said, "Oh, by the way — I want to make you the next Yankee captain."

Mookie Betts x Aaron Judge.

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— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 2, 2023

Joining a group that includes Hall of Famers Derek Jeter, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth understandably left Judge speechless.

"I didn't know what to say," Judge said. "I felt like I didn't say anything for, like, 30 minutes."

Judge called it an "incredible honor" to carry the "C" for the Yankees, and he isn't wrong. The 31-year-old is the first Yankee to be named captain since Jeter, who held the role from 1995 until his retirement in 2014.

So far, the Yankees' choice to commit to Judge is paying off big-time. After a remarkable MVP campaign in 2022, including a record-setting 62-home run season, Judge is on track to replicate those feats in 2023. Entering June, Judge is putting up nearly identical numbers to last year.

Through 47 games, Judge is batting .293 with 18 home runs, 39 RBI and a 1.088 OPS and may only be getting started. Judge was the MLB Player of the Month in May, batting .342 with 12 homers, 25 RBI and a 1.356 OPS.

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