Aaron Judge already has the Yankees’ richest contract in history and the franchise’s home run record, so it hardly comes as a surprise that he’s now the team’s newest captain.
Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement at the Stadium on Wednesday, as the Yankees had a press conference for Judge’s newly signed nine-year, $360 million deal. Judge is the 16th captain in franchise history.
“It goes without saying what an honor that is,” Judge said, noting some of the previous team captains. “That’s a pretty good list right there. Not only great baseball players, but great ambassadors of the game and great ambassadors of the New York Yankees. … This is an incredible honor that I don’t take likely.”
Judge, who hit 62 home runs last season, is the Yankees’ first captain since Derek Jeter retired. Jeter and fellow former team captain Willie Randolph attended the press conference.
After visiting with his hometown San Francisco Giants and taking a last-minute meeting in San Diego with the Padres during the Winter Meetings, Judge opted to remain in The Bronx.
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