Aaron Judge, now the name etched in New York Yankees’ eternal franchise history, was once a kid who grew up in California as a Yankee fan. Judge, like many aspiring ballplayers, dreamed of donning the pinstripes and playing for the most storied franchise in baseball. Little did he know that not only would he achieve this dream, but he would also leave an indelible mark on the Yankees’ history.
The slugger debuted in 2016 and went on to earn the tag of a superstar within a few years. The 2022 season’s home run record further solidified his status as one of the game’s legends. Apart from his exceptional hitting skills, Aaron Judge is also widely known for his jersey number 99. Here’s the backstory of how the unique number found a way to Judge.
Aaron Judge Reveals How No. 99 Got Stuck With Him During His Early Days In Yankees!
Aaron Judge is not just the towering slugger for the New York Yankees but a formidable presence on the field as well. Not only that, the captain etched his name into Yank’s lore with the iconic No. 99 gracing his uniform. Meanwhile, recently, slugger opened up on the backstory of the jersey number in an interview with NJ Media. When Judge made his debut with the Yankees in 2016, he initially wore the No. 44. However, as fate would have it, he switched to No. 99 during the 2016 season as the team handed it over to him. “They gave it to me in spring training, and it kind of stuck with me a little bit,” said Judge.
The number 99 was previously worn by reliever Brian Bruney. However, if not 99, Aaron Judge would have loved to don no. 44 as its his favorite numerical value. But he didn’t have the option as the number had been retired in honor of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. Nevertheless, as Judge’s career unfolded, No. 99 became synonymous with power, precision, and an imposing presence at the plate. His combination of size, strength, and skill has drawn comparisons to legendary Yankees like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. It further solidified his place in the team’s storied history. Having said that, as the captain continues to carve his legacy in Yankees pinstripes, no. 99 will forever be associated with his name.
Judge Honored By Fresno State As They Retire His Jersey Number!
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge received a prestigious honor from his alma mater, Fresno State University. The slugger played for the Bulldogs before eventually making his way through MLB. Thus, to honor his contributions, the university retired his jersey number 29. The ceremony of the same was held earlier this month, where Judge marked his presence.
The slugger further expressed his gratitude and credited Fresno State for his success with the New York Yankees. “I think just those lessons about how to handle that really prepared me for once I got to New York,” said Aaron Judge. Not only that, the Yankee captain said the learnings of Fresno State extended beyond the field of baseball and shaped his overall personality.
