Aaron Judge was named the 16th captain of the New York Yankees on Wednesday after the franchise confirmed the star slugger had re-signed.
The Yankees eventually confirmed the American League MVP would remain in the Bronx through the 2031 season in a $360 million deal after fending off interest from the San Francisco Giants.
After his record-breaking season in which he broke Roger Maris’ AL record for home runs, the four-time All-Star earned the title of Yankees captain — the first since Derek Jeter in 2014.
Aaron Judge was named the 16th captain of the New York Yankees on Wednesday
The Yankees officially introduced the returning star on Wednesday after confirming his new deal
The hitter was rewarded with the title after hitting a record-breaking 62 home runs in 2022
No. 99 signed a new $360 million deal that will keep him in the Bronx through the 2031 season
At his official unveiling after signing his new Mega Money deal, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced that the seven-foot-tall slugger would be the franchise’s new leader.
“It is my great pleasure,” said Steinbrenner, “happily, despite a brief absence, to not only welcome Aaron back to the Bronx, but to welcome Aaron back to the Bronx as the 16th captain of this great organization, the New York Yankees to welcome. An honor and position he very much deserves.”
The judge described the title as an honor and insisted he was ready to guide the team through any obstacle.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement during the judge’s official unveiling
Steinbrenner insisted the two-meter slugger “well deserved” the honor and position.
“It’s an incredible honor. I don’t take it lightly,” Judge began.
“I will continue to lead by example. I know there are a few more responsibilities that come with that, but I’m here to take on every single obstacle and continue to lead this team and take this city to not one championship, but multiple.
“I want to thank everyone, my wife, Samantha and my family who are here. That means a lot. Thank you guys.’
Though the Yankees are now attempting to lead the Bronx Bombers to multiple Word Series titles, they came close to losing the star at free hand.
Judge famously turned down a seven-year renewal offer worth $213.5 million before the season and was rewarded for entering the offseason as the most sought-after free agent after his 62 home runs.
The slugger appeared on the verge of returning to California as the Giants launched a massive attempt to lure Judge to San Francisco with Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry.
But Judge insisted he belonged in pinstripes, as he claimed he had unfinished business in the Big Apple.
The 30-year-old described it as an “incredible honor” to be the new Yankees leader.
The judge admitted he was speechless when Steinbrenner told him he would be made captain
He said: “In my heart I knew where I wanted to be … but I would have kicked myself if I hadn’t gone through the process and seen what other teams were about. But I belong here in pinstripes and I want to finish my career here in New York.
Yankees Captains
1. Clark Griffith: 1903-05
2. Norman “child” Elberfeld: 1906-08
3. Willie Kieler: 1909
4. Hal Chase: 1910-11
5. Frank Chance: Started 1913 – mid-season
6. Rollie Zeider: mid-season 1913 – end of season
7. Roger Peckinpaugh: 1914-21
8. Babe Ruth: 03/13/1922-05/25/1922
9. Lou Gehrig: 4/12/1935-1939
10. Thurman Munson: 4/17/1976-8/2/1979
11. Graig Nettles: 29.1.1982-30.3.1984
12. Willie Randolph: 3/4/1986-10/2/1988
13. Ron Guidry: 3/4/1986-7/12/1989
14. Don Mattingly: 2/28/1991-1995
15. Derek Jeter: 6/3/2003-2014
16. AARON RICHTER: 12/21/2022 – today
“There’s a lot of unfinished business here in New York,” he added, “I’m looking forward to closing those deals. I’m trying to leave a legacy here for the next batch of guys who come after me.”
The California native admitted he was speechless when Steinbrenner told him he would be made captain.
“I was kind of speechless,” he said. “I think I haven’t said anything for five minutes. I was pretty withdrawn. It’s such an incredible honor. You look back at this list of people who held that title. It’s such an honor.’
The Yankees’ last captain, Jeter, who managed the franchise from 2003 to 2014, and Willie Randolph, who wore the mantle from 1986 to 1988, were also present at the press conference.
When Judge slipped into pinstripes on the podium, he noticeably didn’t have a “C” on his jersey, just like the former Yankees leader did during his reign.
The 15th New York captain endorsed the changing of the guard, claiming that everything about Judge “screams for leadership.”
“My gaming career is over and I’ve gotten to know Aaron better over the last few months and everything about him just screams leadership,” Jeter told the YES! Network.
“I said it, when I was here someone asked if they were made captain and I said the best thing to find out is to talk to your teammates because to me it’s unfair that accept. I’m not around him every day and everyone says exactly the same thing.
The judge was reportedly in San Diego when the Yankees put the $360 million offer on the table. The San Diego Padres also made a late offer, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, but when the Yankees showed their hand, the umpire’s decision was made. According to USA Today, the Padres have made a 10-year offer worth $400 million.
Former Captains Willie Randolph (left) and Derek Jeter (right) were also in attendance
15th Yankees captain Derek Jeter claimed “everything about Judge screams leader”
The judge obviously didn’t have a “C” on his jersey, just like Jeter did during his 11-year reign
Judge went into the offseason as the most sought-after free agent after hitting 62 home runs
He revealed the free hand was tough but relied on discussions with his “rock”, wife Samantha, who joined him on the podium at his press conference.
He confessed that the couple knew in their hearts that they belonged back in the Big Apple.
“This whole free agency process was a different situation,” he admitted. “I think it was valuable to see some other places and hear some opinions. Once that was all settled, I had a chance to sit down with my wife and talk about a few things. We made the decision that was in our hearts. We belong in New York.”
Judge is a native Yankee originally selected by the club in the first round (32 overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft from Fresno State.
In parts of seven seasons with the Yankees (2016-22), he batted .284/.394/.583 (748 to 2,638) with 535R, 121 doubles, 4 triples, 220HR, 497RBI, 472BB and 40SB in 729 games.
The judge’s wife, Samantha, joined her all-star husband on the podium at the press conference
He revealed the free hand was tough, but based it on discussions with his “rock”, Samantha
The 30-year-old poses with his wife Samantha and parents Patty (right) and Wayne Judge (left)
A right-handed outfielder, Judge was named the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year, hitting .284 (154 to 542) with 52 homers and 114 RBI. Most recently, Judge was named AL MVP in 2022, set an American League record with 62 home runs and hit .311/.425/.686 (177 to 570) with 133R, 28 doubles, 131RBI, 111BB and 16SB in 157 games.
Manager Aaron Boone claimed Judge was already a de facto captain by the way he treated everyone within the organization, but expressed his delight at this being confirmed.
“He’s everything,” Boone said. “Start between the lines, he’s obviously a great two-way player, one of the greatest players in our sport.
“He’s an ambassador for the game, but an ambassador for the New York Yankees. The integrity he has, the attitude he has, the confidence he has and his ability to connect and connect with everyone in our organization.
‘He was already the captain of the Yankees, though [I’m] glad it’s official now.’
In addition to re-signing Judge, the Yankees retained Anthony Rizzo to a reported two-year contract worth $40 million with a $17 million club option for a third year and added starting pitcher Carlos Rodon.