Aaron Judge already has the richest contract in Yankees history and the franchise’s home run record, so it’s no surprise that he’s now the team’s newest captain.
Managing partner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement at the stadium on Wednesday when the Yankees held a press conference for Judge’s newly signed, nine-year, $360 million contract. Judge is the 16th captain in franchise history.
“Needless to say, what an honor that is,” Judge said, noting some of the past team captains. “That’s a pretty good list here. Not just great baseball players, but great ambassadors for the game and great ambassadors for the New York Yankees. … This is an incredible honor that I do not consider likely.
Judge, who hit 62 home runs last season, is the first Yankees captain since Derek Jeter retired — Jeter and former captain Willie Randolph both attended the press conference — and it was up to Steinbrenner to decide whether Judge would be next.
Steinbrenner told the YES Network this offseason that making Judge captain would be “something we would consider” if Judge ends up back with the Yankees.
After visiting his hometown San Francisco Giants and having a last-minute meeting in San Diego with the Padres during winter meetings, Judge opted to remain in the Bronx.
Hal Steinbrenner and Aaron Judge in their #99 Yankees jersey on December 21, 2022.
Aaron Judge (left) and Hal Steinbrenner (right) hold Judge’s Yankees jersey #99 on December 21, 2022.
Announcement
Aaron Judge speaks at his Yankees press conference on December 21, 2022.
New Yankees captain Aaron Judge (c.) with former captains Derek Jeter (d.) and Willie Randolph (d.) on December 21, 2022.
Announcement
The deal became official on Tuesday when the judge underwent a physical exam.
Several of Judge’s teammates campaigned for Judge to become the new captain, including Anthony Rizzo and Nestor Cortes.
And general manager Brian Cashman said he supported the idea at winter meetings.
“Some people have acted like they’re the untitled captain,” Cashman said. “We already had a leader of our franchise [in Judge]🇧🇷 If someone at owner level like Hal Steinbrenner wants to put the captaincy [on Judge], there are no problems on my side. Aaron Judge has been a leader of this franchise in every way, shape and form.”
When Jeter retired in 2015, Cashman said that “the captaincy should be retired with the number 2. I wouldn’t give up another captaincy to anyone else… He was so good and perfect for it”.
But he said this month that the judge would be a good choice.
“Certainly, I share my feelings with respect to Derek Jeter, the career he had and the legacy he left,” Cashman said. “I thought it appropriate to state that I’m not sure we’ll ever need one again. But that doesn’t mean that if someone is worthy, it emerges [that they shouldn’t be captain]🇧🇷 And clearly in the case of Aaron Judge, he is spectacular.”
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