In April 2022, right before the start of the Major League Season, Aaron Judge turned down a $213.5 million dollar contract from the Yankees, who he previously played for, in hopes of being offered a better contract. In time, Judge decided to re-sign with the Yankees, resulting in an award-winning and record-breaking season. 

Aaron Judge’s 2022 season was exemplary. Judge broke the American League (A.L.) home run record with 62 home runs under his belt, previously held by Roger Maris with 61. Capping off 2022, he also won his third A.L’s Most Valuable Player award and brought the Yankees to their second A.L East Title, which the team received the former a decade earlier. 

Following the season, doubts grew about whether he would stay with the team. Apart from his award-winning talent, Judge is beloved by his teammates and Yankee fans alike, having special Judge boxes at Yankee Stadium. 

In December 2022, he was offered a $146.5 million dollar increase, totaling $360 million, to re-sign with the Yankees in a nine-year contract. Judge accepted the contract, the largest monetary sum ever offered to a Yankees player.

After resigning their most cherished player, the Yankees went even further by naming Judge as the 16th captain of the franchise, a responsibility previously held by other Yankee legends, including Derek Jeter and Babe Ruth. “I’m gonna continue to try to be the same leader that I’ve been the past six years, continue to lead by example,” says Judge. “I know there’s probably going to be a couple more responsibilities with this, but I’m here to embrace every single obstacle and continue to lead this team and lead this city to not one but multiple championships down the road,” Judge said. 

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