Before beginning his professional baseball journey with the New York Yankees, Aaron Judge once envisioned playing for the San Francisco Giants, a team he admired growing up. This Aaron Judge Giants prediction took place during his high school years and reflects his early hopes before his successful and record-breaking career with the Yankees.
Raised in Linden, California, Judge grew up as a Giants supporter. In a 2022 interview with Time Magazine, he shared a personal memory from his younger days when he told his then-girlfriend, Samantha Bracksieck, about his future plans.
“I said, in 10 years, I’ll be married to Sam, and playing for the San Francisco Giants. I was like, that’d better not get out.”
—Aaron Judge
Although his childhood allegiance was with the Giants, Judge was drafted by the Yankees as the first overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft. His path with New York quickly turned him into a franchise legend, culminating in record-breaking performances and joining iconic Bronx figures such as Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter.
In 2022, as a free agent, Judge was linked to a potential move to the Giants, alongside interest from the San Diego Padres. Both teams publicly expressed their desire to sign him, sparking widespread speculation. Despite this, Judge opted to remain with the Yankees by signing a nine-year, $360 million contract, a surprising decision following his earlier rejection of a $213.5 million offer for seven years from the same team.
This decision was not without its tensions. Judge admitted in the Time interview that he was frustrated when Yankees general manager Brian Cashman disclosed contract details to the media.
“We kind of said, ‘Hey, let’s keep this between us.’ I was a little upset that the numbers came out. I understand it’s a negotiation tactic. Put pressure on me. Turn the fans against me, turn the media on me. That part of it I didn’t like.”
—Aaron Judge
Reflecting on the free agency process itself, Judge said it offered a unique opportunity for players to shape their own paths and legacies.
“When I was young and getting into the game, all guys ever talked about was, ‘Hey, wait until you become a free agent’. You’re getting a chance to make your own decision, start a legacy somewhere, start something new somewhere. I’m looking forward to the whole process, man. It’s going to be special.”
—Aaron Judge
Memorable silence marks Aaron Judge’s record-breaking 62nd home run
During the moment Aaron Judge eclipsed Roger Maris’ longstanding Yankees home run record of 61, the stadium fell into a profound silence that underscored the historic occasion. Judge, recalling the scene to Time Magazine, described how the crowd of about 45,000 fans suddenly stopped cheering as the anticipation grew.
“I never noticed the crowd until they stopped cheering, which was one of the craziest things in my career. That’s when I started to kind of realize, ‘Oh boy, there’s something special going on here.’”
—Aaron Judge
Even the pitchers seemed cautious about delivering strike pitches against Judge, aware that they were part of history in the making. The milestone home run occurred on October 4, 2022, during a game against Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco. Since then, Judge has far outpaced Maris’ record, currently holding 343 home runs.
Aaron Judge’s journey, from his youthful aspiration to play for the Giants to becoming a Yankee legend and record-holder, reveals the unpredictable nature of a professional sports career. His early prediction remains a fascinating footnote in his story, highlighting the impact of personal dreams amid the pressures and realities of MLB stardom. Moving forward, Judge’s continued performance will be crucial for the Yankees, who rely on his talent to shape their future successes.