Aaron Judge is perhaps the biggest name in the MLB circuit right now after having a stellar season with a record 62 home runs in the American League.On top of that, Judge\’s free agency made headlines for the whopping 360 million dollars that he signed with the Yankees. Over the matter of the past few months, Aaron Judge\’s No. 99 jersey has become iconic in the MLB. But have you ever wondered why the star specifically wears the number 99? If yes, then the star himself has answered this question for his fans.
Why Does Aaron Judge Wear Jersey No. 99?
The biggest number ever on a Major League Baseball uniform is worn by superstar Aaron Judge which is 99. The All-Star\’s preferred number, however, is not this one. In a 2016 conversation with NJ Media, Judge explained why he had to settle with his iconic 99 jersey rather than his chosen number, 35. Aaron explained that he favors No. 99 because he received it in 2016 during spring training.
In Triple-A, Judge also played for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders while donning No. 99. Before Judge, the last Yankee to wear No. 99 was a former reliever, Brian Bruney. Charlie Keller became the first player in MLB history to wear No. 99 and did so in 1952. Furthermore, because the number 44 was originally allocated for Hall of Fame outfielder Reggie Jackson, Judge will never wear it as a Yankee.
Judge\’s 62nd Home Run Ball Sell For Record Price In Auction!
Aaron Judge dominated at the plate all year, hitting pitchers for home runs left and right just for fun. At one point in the middle of the season, it was obvious that he was going to break records because of the explosive rate at which he was launching home runs. While everything was going on, Judge hit his 62nd home run off the Texas Rangers in the second game of a doubleheader in the American League.
Aaron Judge broke Roger Maris\’ 1961 record for the New York Yankees and American League, which was a significant factor in this. A fortunate spectator picked up the ball after it fell into the stands and subsequently decided to sell it at auction. Goldin Auctions presented the valued memorabilia in a bidding process that ended Saturday night. And the record-breaking 62nd home run ball went for $1.5 million.
In 1998, Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run. And it became the most expensive baseball in history when it sold for $3 million. The expectation was that this ball might go for a higher price, but that did not happen. In the end, it resulted in a roughly $2 million reduction in the lucky fan\’s prospective profits.